THU 1.10. 21.00 KULMASALI – – – EL DIARIO DE EL GRINGO / KINGDOM OF THE EVENING

Suomifornia official selection 2026 welcomes: EL DIARIO DE EL GRINGO & KINGDOM OF THE EVENING

“El Diario de El Gringo", a documentary directed by Rodrigo Farías Moreno, tells an extraordinary story of adventure, perfect waves, and the deep human connection that arises through surfing.

In 1976, a local Santa Barbara surfer and 2 friends, fed up with the crowds on their beaches, took a truck, packed a camper, and headed to Peru in search of untouched waves. However, fate took them to Chile, specifically the border town of Arica, where they discovered one of the most perfect and challenging waves in the country.

Known for its danger, only the most experienced surfers can master it. In doing so, they overcame one of the most important tests in surfing: conquering “El Gringo." This spot was kept secret and its name became a myth within the chilean surfing community.

Thirty years later, in 2007, “El Gringo" rose to worldwide fame when it was
the setting for a world surfing championship. There, the mystery of the original surfers resurfaced: who were those Californians who found the wave? No one knew their identities, as they had been lost in time... until now.

Thanks to social media and the tireless research of Chilean documentary filmmaker Rodrigo Farías, in 2019 those surfers were found and their fascinating story revived. What no one expected was the additional discovery that would transform this story into something even more epic: more than 30 pre-Hispanic human bones were found in front of the same wave. According to legend, the bravest warriors of the time swam to the island to conquer the princess in a sacred ceremony dressed as scorpions.
In many ways, conquering this wave today is a similar rite of passage. With interviews, archival footage, and engaging narrative, “El Diario de El Gringo" positions itself as a spin-off of Viejo Perro, exploring not only the importance of this wave to Arica and its development as Chile's first "Surf City," but also the cultural impact of surfing in the region.

This documentary is an ode to the waves, the adventurous spirit, and the myth that lives on to this day.

Project Type: Documentary
Genres: Surf, Adventures, documentary, travel, chile
Runtime: 40 minutes
Country of Origin: Chile

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KINGDOM OF THE EVENING In 2010, young adventurer Kepa Acero traveled alone to Western Africa in search of empty waves. In Morocco, he met a 15-year-old kid named Yassine. Though they barely spoke the same language, they shared waves, tajines, and an unspoken connection. Then, Kepa continued south, and they never saw each other again.

Today, Yassine is known as Snoopy Style—a professional surf guide and local legend in Taghazout. Fifteen years later, Kepa and Snoopy will meet again for the first time. But life has changed—just like Morocco. The dusty fishing village has transformed: boutique hotels line the shore, and Anchor Point is packed with digital nomads chasing Wi-Fi and waves.

Together, with filmmaker Ayoub Abouizza, they embark on a journey to find what once was—empty line-ups, pure stoke, and that elusive feeling of freedom. But things don’t go as planned… The dream they’re chasing may not exist anymore…

One thing will never change: hope. Even with all the changes, they still believe that somewhere belong this coast, there is a wave just waiting. Empty and perfect. Undiscovered. Or at least, that the story they keep telling themselves.

Filmed and Directed by Clint Davis, KINGDOM OF THE EVENING (45min) is produced by OXBOW.

Project Type: Documentary
Genres: adventure, travel, road trip, surfing, friendship
Runtime: 45 minutes
Country of Origin: France