It looked like Portimão mayor Isilda Gomes had brushed up on her surf speak as the short film ‘Algarve’ was shown at the TEMPO theatre in Portimão on Saturday night (February 8).
Following its premier in Sagres the previous week, it was the turn of Portimão – where some of the shots were filmed – to present the film, which was created to showcase the Algarve’s surfing potential.
With a full house at the theatre’s Pequeno Auditório, including council representatives and fellow surfers, the event coincided with the local “Campeonato da Malta” surfing competition, organised by Portimão athlete Francisco Canelas.
The showing of the 33-minute film was preceded by a few words from Bruno Monteiro, representative of the Komunity Project by Kelly Slater, which helped produce the film, surfer Miguel Mouzinho, who took part in the production, Francisco Canelas and mayor Isilda Gomes.
According to one of the organisers, this was the first time a local mayor had been present at a surfing initiative.
“Surfing is excellent to help fight seasonality, and we want Portimão to be recognised as a council with potential for surfing,” said Isilda Gomes.
Urging people to “surf our waves”, the mayor promised to continue to support surfing in the region, but from dry land.
Directed by current world kitesurfing champion Pedro Henrique, ‘Algarve’ is only available to rent or buy from Vimeo.
Photo: From left: Bruno Monteiro, Mayoress Isilda Gomes, Miguel Mouzinho and Francisco Canelas
By CRISTINA ALCOCK [email protected]
