Surf loving film maker takes out inaugural ‘Real to Reel’ contest

WORDS: Bridget Hicks PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

A bodyboard film maker from New South Wales has taken out the inaugural ‘Real to Reel’ film contest, collecting $5,000 in cash, slabs of Coopers beer and immortalisation from Stab magazine.

Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery, Coopers, teamed up with surfing magazine Stab to run the competition in search of the country’s most authentic surf film makers.

Todd Barnes, a 36-year-old from Wollongong, was one of 18 entrants who submitted their unique view from behind the lens.

“Todd’s reel was bursting with unique angles and offbeat storytelling, which really impressed our judges,” Coopers National Marketing Manager Kate Dowd said.

“His was the standout entry amongst a very high-quality field.

“Coopers is proud to support the story of surfing in Australia and encourage film makers – from the amateurs to professionals – to pick up their cameras and capture our amazing coastlines.”

Alongside the first prize of $5,000 in cash and slabs of Coopers Pacific Pale Ale, Todd featured in an interview with Stab and will hit the road with Stab film makers on one of their next major film projects.