AN award-winning documentary that investigates the environmental impact of the surf industry is being screened at Newquay’s cinema tonight (Thursday, November 27).

The Big Sea will be shown at the Lighthouse Cinema as part of the Cornwall Film Festival at 7.30pm.

The documentary is an exploration of surfing’s hidden links to Cancer Alley, the deadly environmental impact of neoprene production and the natural rubber alternatives that literally grows on trees. The film has already caused a sea change in the $10 billion global surf industry and seen a polluting petrochemical giant close its doors.

The Big Sea, which has been created by filmmakers and lifelong surfers Chris Nelson, Demi Taylor and Lewis Arnold, has screened at 24 film festivals world-wide and won 13 awards from best film to best campaign. Using the lens of surfing it unwraps wider issues of environmental pollution, greenwashing and social justice while highlighting sustainable solutions to the neoprene problem.

Demi said: “The majority of wetsuits on the market today are made of neoprene, a synthetic material is born out of a carcinogenic chemical process so toxic that the California government requires wetsuits to carry health warnings.

“We learned there was just one chemical plant producing chloroprene rubber, aka neoprene, in the whole of the USA and it was located on the banks of the Mississippi in an area known as ‘Cancer Alley’. That name alone rang alarm bells but learning the communities around this factory are exposed to the highest cancer risk in the USA – 50 times the national average due to toxic emissions from the plant – meant this was something we couldn’t ignore.”

The Big Sea writer and producer Chris Nelson added: “We’ve been involved in and around the surf industry for more than two decades and couldn’t believe that this was an issue that had never been brought to light before,.

“When we learned of the horrendous link between the wetsuits we use for our enjoyment and the impact the production of Neoprene was having on both people and planet, we knew this was a story we had to tell.”

Demi said: “This film is a story of hope, shining a light on the proven and readily available natural rubber alternative which literally grows on trees.

“At the start of filming just four surf brands were neoprene-free including Cornish B Corp, Finisterre. Now, thanks in part to the campaigning of The Big Sea, more than 30 additional global brands have come on-line with natural rubber wetsuits including Cornish companies like Gul and C-Skins.

“The campaign has been about using your purchasing power to vote for the world you want and earlier this year the factory at the heart of this story ceased production, citing a global downturn in demand for Neoprene as one of the causes, a profound reminder of the power we all have to effect change.”

The feature documentary brings together stunning cinematography with insights from internationally renowned surfers, scientists, environmental campaigners and industry insiders.

Chris said: “The Cornish surf industry has long held a global profile and we’re proud to include prominent voices from our community such as SAS co-founder Chris Hines MBE, Finisterre founder Tom Kay and leading pro surfer Mike Lay, alongside other influential, international figures,.

“We have also brought together some incredible local creative talent from cinematography, graphics and animation to grading and post production. This is a Cornish collaboration at heart.”

Tickets can be booked via a link provided on the Cornwall Film Festival's Facebook page or visit - https://cornwallfilmfestival2025.eventive.org/schedule/69037da453fd0413031697c6