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Pepperdine Presented Reel Sessions Surf Film Festival  

Pepperdine University Libraries presented Reel Sessions on Thursday, Mar. 15, through Saturday, Mar. 17, on the University's Malibu Campus. The "Celebration of Surf Cinema Spanning 60 Years" benefited a new Pepperdine Libraries Malibu Collection. All screenings were free and open to the University community and general public. 

The Pepperdine University Library Special Malibu Collection will emphasize the development of Malibu's storied history and be a multifaceted research resource for students, faculty and the general public. "Our goal is to  provide insight into Malibu's formative years and subsequent development as a beach and recreational destination, a magnet for writers, musicians, and others drawn to this 'sun kissed' corner of Los Angeles," said Dean of Libraries Mark Roosa. The collection will chronicle through letters, photographs, books, films, interviews, memorabilia and secondary sources the history and development of Malibu during a time of unprecedented change and transformation. The Pepperdine Libraries welcome expressions of interest regarding the Malibu Collection and are interested in connecting with individuals who may wish to donate materials to the collection.

Remarks preceding the screenings were made by special guests including Steve Pezman, publisher of The Surfer's Journal; Denny Aaberg, co-writer of Big Wednesday, Shea Weber, president, Dewey Weber Sports; Kathy Zuckerman, aka Gidget; Randy Nauert and Gaston Georis, surf music pioneers and composers; Mickey Muñoz, legendary surfer; filmmakers David L. Brown and Roy Earnest, Wes Brown and TJ Barrack, and Stacy Peralta; and Malibu residents/collectors John Zambetti, John Mazza, and Flip Cuddy.

In addition to screening a dozen surf films over the three day event, Shea Weber, son of surfing legend, Dewey Weber, donated a new 9' 4" Weber Performer for the silent auction. Valued at $1,200, the Weber Performer had a starting bid of $350 and the auction closed following a screening of Riding Giants Saturday night. In addition, a classic collectible redwood/balsa board made by Bud Caldwell, Point Loma in the 1940s, was offered in a live auction following Riding Giants.

Malibu resident John Mazza displayed surfboards from his own collection spanning several eras. Classic woody wagons were on display Thursday, Mar. 15, and LA County Lifeguard rescue vehicles were on display Friday. A collection of VW “Bugs and Busses” were on display on Saturday. The band “The Sound Waves” played on Friday, Mar. 16.

Three pairs of round-trip tickets to anywhere JetBlue Airways flies were included among the event’s raffle prizes, along with surf posters and two $50 gift certificates for dinner at Giovanni's in Malibu.