Reel Opinions: Ben Judkins on Navigating Festivals with The Cigarette Surfboard.

Filmmaker Ben Judkins was looking to make a short film about a fellow surfer who was using his board making skills to spread the word about single use cigarette filters and their impact on ocean life. The short began to grow and soon the documentary became a feature, and the feature took on a life in the festival circuit, taking Ben with it on a new adventure, but this one often inland. To celebrate the official online release of THE CIGARETTE SURFBOARD, FF’s Katie Bignell caught up with Ben for a longform chat about the filmmaking process, the impact that the film has already had, and what exactly it takes for a filmmaker to navigate the festival circuit. Meanwhile,THE CIGARETTE SURFBOARD will be available online September 15-27, 2026 (to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, Sep.19), s a call to action for our collective ocean stewardship. Check out the film and join the conversation to explore what you can do to take action in your life and local community. With your ticket, you’ll have access to a few live, virtual Q&As featuring a few professional surfers and ocean activists from the film.