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Screening Panel

SCREENING PANEL

The Aotearoa Surf Film Festival Screening Panel is comprised of a collection of kiwi surf legends, with a recognised passion for surfing. Their backgrounds cover a wide ranging spectrum from the worlds of surfing and media. The screening panel will vote on those short film entries to be entered into the festival. 

CRAIG LEVERS – PHOTOGRAPHER

Craig is one of the ASFF’s founding judges. He is an international award winning photographer and one of NZ’s most well known Surf Photogs under his initials CPL. In 2008 Craig started publishing books under the name Photo CPL Media, there have been 5 hardcover books made, PhotoCPL, The Beached As books, The South Seas and Warren Hawke’s NZ Surf. Before 2008 Craig was New Zealand Surfing Magazine’s Editor’n’Chief for 8 years. He was the magazine’s Senior Photographer for 15 years [1993-2008]. During this time the title reached all time readership and revenue heights.  Craig was a part of Surf Magazines’ [worldwide] golden years.

Instagram: @photocpl    Website: www.photocpl.co.nz

GAVIN BISMAN – OLD DAD, SURFER, SURF RACONTEUR

Gav has been in and around the NZ surf industry for over 13yrs and is the guy you hear doing the surf report for GeorgeFM every morning. He’s an Intl Head Judge at surf comps, he’s an MC at surf events. He’s worked for and alongside a number of the major surf companies, he’s contributed to surf magazines and online surf sites.  He is an Ambassador for 08004MAUIS and is an active marine & surf environmentalist.  Gav is the guy that “works the network” within the surf community and greater community to try and help make sure surfing is supported in NZ. And he’s never shy to shoot the shit over a coffee. If he’s not working on surfing, he’s surfing. That’s Gav.

Instagram: @gavinbisman

AMBER JONES – PHOTOGRAPHER  /  VIDEOGRAPHER

Amber Jones grew up on the East Coast in Hawkes Bay where her affinity for the ocean was planted. She has worked in advertising in Auckland, honing her photography & video skills and now has gone freelance and placed roots in Tairua where she regularly free-dives and surfs and captures the underwater locals in their habitat whether they be human or animal. She believes in the importance of education with her storytelling with her ethos being “Adventure with a purpose”

Instagram: @amberandfriends_photography   Website: www.amberandfriends.net

CHRISTY PRIOR – SURFER / PRO SNOWBOARDER

Christy is a professional snowboarder and a passionate surfer based out of St Clair, Dunedin. Christy represented New Zealand at the Winter Olympics back in 2014 and was New Zealand’s first snowboarder to medal at the Winter X Games – putting NZ snowboarding on the map. Since retiring from the World Pro Tour back in 2019, Christy still represents sponsors Nitro Snowboards and L1 Premium Goods but now has more time to also teach yoga and surf.

Instagram: @christyprior