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Synopsis
On the North Shore of Oahu, siblings Jesse and Hunter are shaped by the unforgiving surf culture and their father's relentless pressure. What begins as playful dares escalates into a dangerous rivalry, pushing them toward a life-altering reckoning with their fears, their bond, and the powerful tides that control them both.
Director's Statement
Breaking the Tide came from growing up an artist in a family of athletes - a family where love was measured in wins, and never quite earned. No matter how much you gave, it was never enough. Now, living on the North Shore and raising my own child here, I witness that same pressure every day in competitive surf culture - children shaped by pride, parents chasing validation through victory. This film is my way of redefining what it means to win. To break that current - with tenderness, and with truth.
Crew & Cast
KATRIN YORK (DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | WRITER) Filmmaker based between Hawai‘i and Alaska. Born in Siberia and trained in Los Angeles, she creates visually driven stories rooted in wild places and emotional depth. Her work spans narrative and documentary, including Girls Riding High - an award-winning short focused on youth mental health, now touring festivals worldwide. Breaking the Tide is her most personal story yet, filmed with local cast and crew on Oʻahu.
ARTEM SAVITCKII (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY | CO-PRODUCER) Extreme sports filmmaker and Sony Ambassador with a deep focus on surf and ocean cinematography, Artem is based on the North Shore of Oʻahu, where his work captures raw, immersive moments in and around the water—bringing a rare blend of precision and artistry to each frame. With an extensive background in commercial filmmaking, Artem has collaborated for years with global brands such as Red Bull and Toyota, and worked alongside elite athletes and Olympic champions. Breaking the Tide marks his debut in narrative film.
JOE THAYER (WRITER) Joe Thayer is a Writer/Director based in New Jersey. Joe has written several award winning scripts and has directed multiple short films. He is in development for his first feature.
WAIMEA DANNY (CO-PRODUCER | STUNT COORDINATOR) Known for his work on Lost and Hawaii Five-0, Danny brings two decades of expertise in high-stakes stunt coordination.
- Runtime14:30
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2026 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
On the North Shore of Oahu, siblings Jesse and Hunter are shaped by the unforgiving surf culture and their father's relentless pressure. What begins as playful dares escalates into a dangerous rivalry, pushing them toward a life-altering reckoning with their fears, their bond, and the powerful tides that control them both.
Director's Statement
Breaking the Tide came from growing up an artist in a family of athletes - a family where love was measured in wins, and never quite earned. No matter how much you gave, it was never enough. Now, living on the North Shore and raising my own child here, I witness that same pressure every day in competitive surf culture - children shaped by pride, parents chasing validation through victory. This film is my way of redefining what it means to win. To break that current - with tenderness, and with truth.
Crew & Cast
KATRIN YORK (DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | WRITER) Filmmaker based between Hawai‘i and Alaska. Born in Siberia and trained in Los Angeles, she creates visually driven stories rooted in wild places and emotional depth. Her work spans narrative and documentary, including Girls Riding High - an award-winning short focused on youth mental health, now touring festivals worldwide. Breaking the Tide is her most personal story yet, filmed with local cast and crew on Oʻahu.
ARTEM SAVITCKII (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY | CO-PRODUCER) Extreme sports filmmaker and Sony Ambassador with a deep focus on surf and ocean cinematography, Artem is based on the North Shore of Oʻahu, where his work captures raw, immersive moments in and around the water—bringing a rare blend of precision and artistry to each frame. With an extensive background in commercial filmmaking, Artem has collaborated for years with global brands such as Red Bull and Toyota, and worked alongside elite athletes and Olympic champions. Breaking the Tide marks his debut in narrative film.
JOE THAYER (WRITER) Joe Thayer is a Writer/Director based in New Jersey. Joe has written several award winning scripts and has directed multiple short films. He is in development for his first feature.
WAIMEA DANNY (CO-PRODUCER | STUNT COORDINATOR) Known for his work on Lost and Hawaii Five-0, Danny brings two decades of expertise in high-stakes stunt coordination.
- Runtime14:30
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
