Skate & Restore: Building Community Through Skateboarding at the Southside Film Festival
We are so excited to be apart of the 21st annual Southside Film Festival with "Skate & Restore: A film block celebrating those who build community through skateboarding. Including local filmmakers Shane Yelicanin, Timothy Weadock and me (Quintin Fernandez). Plus we'll be joined by Ché Scott-Heron Newton to show four films that celebrate those in the community who make it what it is, through the lens of skateboarding. You can find out more info on the films below.
Fun fact, this is a full circle moment. For those that don't know, we premiered our 3rd shop video "PA Grey" at the Southside Film Festival back in 2005. So to come back 20 years later it is truly an honor.
Pushing Ahead: The Next Generation by Quintin Fernandez
“Pushing Ahead: The Next Generation” Tells the story of “Push Ahead” a non profit organization run by Homebase Skateshop. Push Ahead uses skateboarding to teach children core life skills like perseverance, respect, confidence and setting goals. Push Ahead also helps create connections between people who otherwise may have never interacted with each other. “Pushing Ahead: The Next Generation” is a film centered around the importance of creating community.
Cherrybrook DIY: By Timothy Weadock
A restrospective skate video highlighting the Cherrybook DIY from 2020-2022. The film highlights the best tricks, moments and of course the community of people who came together to support the DIY and what made it so special to the local skate community.
Pipe Dream: Directed by Shane Yelicanin
The promise of a grassroots funded skatepark offers a necessary outlet for underserved youth in a small Pennsylvania town. The first iteration of the Quakertown Skatepark was built in 2003. By 2008, many in the town wanted to see it permanently closed due to recurring vandalism and safety concerns. Local Pastor, Dave Kratz, got involved in changing the atmosphere of the park. With the help of students and local businesses,
he helped to raise over one million dollars to fund the creation of a world-class skatepark and community center.
The promise of a grassroots funded skatepark offers a necessary outlet for underserved youth in a small Pennsylvania town. The first iteration of the Quakertown Skatepark was built in 2003. By 2008, many in the town wanted to see it permanently closed due to recurring vandalism and safety concerns. Local Pastor, Dave Kratz, got involved in changing the atmosphere of the park. With the help of students and local businesses,
he helped to raise over one million dollars to fund the creation of a world-class skatepark and community center.
Murewa: Directed by Ché Scott-Heron Newton
Compiled from five years of home movie footage, Murewa tells the story of Marlon, a shy, nervous kid, and his first childhood friend, Murry (Murewa). Growing up in the sleepy seaside town of Worthing they bond over skateboarding and photography, and as their friendship deepens their worlds open up. But as they move through adolescence, their paths diverge unexpectedly and when Marlon moves to London to go to university, Murry ends up in prison. As Marlon looks back over footage of their friendship, he is forced to reflect on the moments that shaped them and confront the things he missed. Raw and honest, Murewa is a tender coming-of-age story and an intimate snapshot of boyhood.
We will be at PBS theater next Thursday June 12th for the premiere of all of the films in "Skate & Restore". You can join us for the premiere followed up by a Q+A with all of the filmmakers in attendance. It's $10 at the door or you can get all access tickets from the Southside Film Festival here: SSFF TICKETS ONLINE
If you can't make it out Thursday, no sweat. We'll be running it back for a second screening on Saturday at 1:20pm at the same location. We also urge you to check out all of the other wonderful filmmakers and films that will be hosted by the Southside Film Festival this year from June 10th to the 15th. For full festival information you can checkout the film festivals website here: Southside Film Festival
As always, we thank you for your continued support. We couldn't do this without you.
-Quintin