A new documentary highlighting the long-awaited dream of Albany surfers for an artificial surf reef will premiere this Sunday. Titled Midds Reef, the film by local director Rhys Jones showcases the community’s relentless efforts to establish the Southern Ocean Surf Reef, which officially opened on July 16, 2023.
Filmed over a four-month period during the reef’s construction, Midds Reef features interviews with key community members who have dedicated decades to this project. Many have advocated for more than 30 years, including members of the Albany Boardriders and the now-defunct Southern Ocean Surfers Boardriders Club, alongside local politicians. The film will be part of the CinefestOZ Albany Salty Shorts screening at Six Degrees Albany.
Jones expressed a deep sense of responsibility to the community while creating the film. He noted, “As I waded through about seven hours of interviews, I slowly felt a real duty to the community behind the story because I could feel how much time and effort had gone into getting things to this point.”
The documentary centers around three main figures: Peter Bolt, Aido Shepherd, and Tony Harrison, yet Jones emphasizes that the narrative is a collective one, owned by the people of Albany who contributed to the reef’s realization.
Jones reflected on a personal moment connected to the reef, stating, “My daughter Jac is nearly two now, last week was the first time she wore a wetsuit, it was down at Middleton beach on the inside of the artificial reef, I held her close in waist-deep water as we watched her mother zoom past on a longboard.” This sentiment illustrates the emotional significance of the reef not only for surfers but for families engaging with the ocean.
The filmmaker also highlighted the challenges faced by regional creators. “It’s difficult creating in the regions sometimes, and there aren’t many documentary filmmakers in Albany,” he said. He welcomed opportunities for collaboration, emphasizing that storytelling is the most vital ingredient in filmmaking.
Midds Reef will screen at 16:30 on Sunday, with Jones participating in a Q&A session following the film. The festival runs from September 19 to 23, providing a platform for local filmmakers and stories. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the CinefestOZ website at https://cinefestoz.com/sessions/.
Jones expressed gratitude for the chance to present his film to an Albany audience, saying, “Without CinefestOZ putting on such a great festival, this wouldn’t happen.” The premiere of Midds Reef marks a significant moment for the Albany surfing community and the broader cultural narrative of the region.
