The Follow the Light Surf Photography Grant Program in memory of longtime SURFING Magazine photo editor Larry “Flame” Moore will bring its annual awards ceremony to the Coast Film & Music Festival in Laguna Beach on Friday, November 10th, it was announced today by Summer Chew Meek, chairperson of the 2023 Follow the Light program.
“We’re thrilled to bring the 2023 FTL awards ceremony back to the Coast Film & Music Festival” said Meek in making the announcement. “Our judges have narrowed over 100 entries to our top 5 finalists who will all be on hand to share their work.”
With entries from around the world, the top five include Ella Boyd from Maine, Nico Campagna from California, Kammeran Gonzalez-Keola from Hawaii, Byron McLoughlin from Australia and Oscar Hetherington from New Zealand.
Established in 2006 following Flame’s untimely death and to honor his legacy of mentoring young up-and-coming surf photographers, FTL is open to participants ages 16-25 from around the world. Each entrant has submitted a 15-photo portfolio along with captions for each shot and an application that delves into what motivates and drives these young artists in their work.
“FTL is a fantastic addition to the Coast Film & Music Festival” said CFMF co-founder Ben Warner. “Flame was an icon in the surf world, and it is gratifying to see his legacy continue and to be able to host the awards ceremony as part of our Friday Oceans & Surf night at the Festival.”
All five finalists will have an opportunity to present their work at the awards ceremony, and the wining photographer will receive a $7,500 grant, a new Fujifilm camera and lens, a top-of-the-line AquaTech water housing and a paid working opportunity.
In keeping with tradition, the audience will also have an opportunity to participate in the “People’s Choice” award which will provide a paid working opportunity with A New Earth Project under the direction of acclaimed surf photographer Peter “PK” King.
The FTL judging panel includes past winners such as Chris Burkard, Todd Glaser, Shawn Parkin, Seth de Roulet, Nick Green and Paul Greene, as well as industry icons like Jake Howard, Peter “PT” Townend, Pat Stacy and Bob Mignogna.
Judging is based on a 100-point scale with a max of 70 points awarded for the photographs themselves, 20 points for answers to the questions in the application, and 10 points for the “X-Factor.”
Tickets for the 2023 Coast Film Festival are on sale now, and the 2023 FTL Awards Ceremony is included as part of the ticket price.
For more visit www.coastfilmfestival.com
About Follow the Light: Shortly after legendary surf photographer and 30-year photo editor of SURFING Magazine Larry “Flame” Moore’s passing in October 2005 a group of friends and family formed the “Follow the Light” Foundation to ensure that Flame’s legacy of passionately supporting up-and-coming surf photographers continued. FTL dedicated itself to honoring this next generation through an annual grant program that also included an awards presentation ceremony highlighting the work of each of the five finalists. Running from 2006 to 2015, and then brought back beginning in 2019, “FTL” bringgst together our community of surf media and industry professionals, athletes and friends to recognize each year’s winner. Past honorees include some of today’s most important and talented photographers.
