Skate and Surf Film Festival

With the incredible success of the festival in previous years, the organisers of the Milan Skate and Surf Film Festival are excited to announce the event's return this year, alongside the European leg of the iconic House of Vans. The Grand Opening will be held at Piazza Duca D'Aosta, opposite the Milano Centrale train station. The festival will kick off with an entire day dedicated to the celebration of one of Europe's most important skateparks. The event will then continue with the Opening Night at Ex Macello, a short distance from Porta Vittoria station.

Around 14,000 people attended the three-day festival last year: a diverse and multi-generational audience including international filmmakers and riders.

The Skate and Surf Film Festival is the first international event aimed at promoting surf and skate culture in Italy.

The SSFF isn't just about film: it's a celebration of the true values of surf and skate culture. A weekend stacked with premieres: competing presentations from phenomenal action cinema to unmissable documentaries on the national and international skate and surf scene. The event also includes an out-of-competition section dedicated to event films and unique premieres. The competition will culminate in the Awards Ceremony, where the international jury of experts will announce the winners from among the most popular films.

But the SSFF isn't just about film, it's a real celebration of the true values of surf and skate culture.
In the afternoon and evening contests, the best skaters on the national scene will compete on a ramp and specially designed obstacles.
When not being used for contests, these custom structures will be open to the public for free sessions – so bring your skateboard along!

Free activities include a skate school for people who love skateboarding and want to learn new skills, a surfboard-building workshop where "shapers" provide visitors with an immersive experience in the art of surfboard making with top Italian craftspeople and a few international guests, as well as a vintage area and upcycling workshops. Last but not least, a selection of iconic manufacturers from the international surf and skate world have also been invited to exhibit alongside selected brands.

There will be official event podcast episodes with original content, featuring the main players taking part in the SSFF, including filmmakers, skaters, surfers, photographers and artists. In addition, there will be a unique retrospective of established and emerging artists who have shaped the culture of these disciplines, with exhibitions showcasing photos, paintings and collectible skateboards and surfboards.

This year's festival will feature a section dedicated to Craig Stecyk, writer of the multi-award winning documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys", photographer and founder of the Zephyr Skate Shop from the early days of the Californian skate and surf scene. The photographs he took in the golden era of the '70s and '80s introduced this rich counterculture to the world.

Music will also play a key role in the event, with a varied programme of live and DJ sets to celebrate and experience the sounds of this culture. Starting in the afternoon and playing into the night, international and up-and-coming bands, DJ sets and experimental acoustic shows will provide a sonic accompaniment to the weekend, making us dance, dream and find inspiration. This year, Queen Omega, a powerful roots and reggae artist with millions of streams, will perform in Italy for the first time.

The SSFF is a celebration of the true values of the skateboarding and surfing communities. Over the years, it has grown with its audience to feature activities for all ages

SSFF24 is supported by: Vans Off The Wall, Scrambler Ducati, Jeep, Lightning Bolt, Iuter, Frisco, Fritz!, Reef, Cotopaxi, Iuter, Ogyre, Sticker Mule and Zio Baffa.
The SSFF is produced in collaboration with Piano B and Block10, with artistic direction by Luca Merli (Onde Nostre/Block10), presented by Davide Martinazzo, and illustrations by artist DeeMo, who is responsible for the graphic layout of this year's festival.