UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS

COAST FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL HELPS CULTIVATE COMMUNITY WHILE HIGHLIGHTING CINEMA AND CONSERVATION . | By ASHLEY RYAN

Above : Enich Harris ( left ) and Ben Warner , co-founders of Coast Film & Music Festival ; top : a panel discussion at Hobie Surf Shop during a past year ’ s festival

Co-founder Ben Warner moved to California from Colorado to work for Powder magazine . “ It was a dream job for me as a young skier with big ideas ,” he says . He went on to launch Laguna Beach Magazine with Steve Zepezauer in 2007 and worked for the publication ’ s parent company , Firebrand Media Inc ., among other endeavors before eventually planning his first film festival .

Then known simply as Coast Film Festival , the inaugural iteration took place in 2019 . Warner partnered with Enich Harris and Ben Classen , both marketing professionals , to make it happen . “ We honestly had no idea how much work it would be and continue to learn with each event ,” Warner notes .

The types of films presented range from feature narratives and stories of exploration to behind-the-scenes looks at action sports , with the themed Filmmaker Showcases taking place at the Festival of Arts grounds . Over the years , the film festival has collaborated with a number of local businesses and organizations , including SchoolPower , The Ranch at Laguna Beach , KX FM radio station , Troy Lee Designs and many others — including , to bring it full circle , Firebrand Media .

This year , the festival takes place Nov . 9-13 , with an additional online iteration Nov . 17-27 , and Warner will introduce the Coast Film Foundation , which will create an endowment to support emerging filmmakers and their projects . Read on to discover more about the event and what it has to offer moviegoers .

LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What inspired you to start the Coast Film & Music Festival ? BEN WARNER : There was a need for a fresh arts and entertainment event for locals and to attract younger visitors to Laguna Beach . Additionally , our city has an incredible history centered not only in the arts , but also in conservation , and there wasn ’ t an adventure film festival in the region . … We started a platform that recognizes creators and change-makers to amplify their vibrant stories and promote change through the power of film . … We wanted to help grow the local film culture , … provide support for future filmmakers and inspire young explorers . Hopefully it will become a legacy event that has a positive impact on the community for many years to come .

LBM : What films do you typically present ? BW : We balance simplicity , innovation , art and nature in our programming . We showcase about 70 short and feature-length ,

TOP : JONATHAN NIMERFROH / JDN PHOTOGRAPHY ; BOTTOM : ASHLEY BARKER