People

Kevin Miller started the festival in 2012 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at Atlantic Center for the Arts and later, Surf Stories Podcast in 2020. He’s been leading the organization since. Kevin produces Surf Stories Podcast while also serving as a co-host with John Brooks. Kevin is also a certified public accountant who runs a fractional CFO business. Surfing has been a hobby since discovering surf movies in 8th grade.

John Brooks put his expansive knowledge and sensibility of surf culture to use in 2013 when he co-founded the festival with Kevin. He serves as director and emcee of the festival and host of Surf Stories Podcast. He is a firefighter/EMT at Orlando International Airport (MCO), former professional surfer, and has held industry sales representative positions for large brands. He loves surf movies.

Stephanie Stallard is the glue that holds the Festival together, or at least the double-sided sticky tape! She is responsible for all aspects of making sure that you – the festival goer – has the BEST time and enjoy the films and camaraderie. If you can speak German, say “hallo” or just say “hey” and grab your tickets, or VIP passes, and enjoy! She’s very much Volusia County institution of kindness, has a wonderful family, and likes photo-bombing Slater portraits.

Tom Macaluso is the President and Creative Director of Anson-Stoner, an Orlando based advertising agency. His background of delivering award-winning, unique designs that elevate brands and enterprises has come in handy as he has been involved from day one in helping craft the FSFF brand.

Four-time world champion, Tenore Ambassador, mentor, and all around great Floridian continues to represent Florida, currently residing in Ormond Beach, FL, her hometown, and traveling and mentoring young surfers all over the world.  

Former editor of SURFER, author of The History of Surfing, Founder of The Encyclopedia of Surfing, lives in Seattle with his wife and son.

For years now, Scott Hulet has provided a sharp eye over the creative and editorial world of The Surfer’s Journal, and now, we’re very lucky to have his keen eye on the board of directors at Florida Surf Film Festival, serving to further our mission. He’s also been a juror on our feature and short documentary categories for years. He's the author of the omnibus, Flow Violento, available for sale at The Surfer’s Journal website.

Stetson University Alumni and St. Augustine local sort-of, is a professional surfer, writer, and director who has spent the past decade exploring new waves and documenting surf cultures around the world through an eco-feminist lens. She develops projects that revolve around the power of storytelling to build community and inspire action to protect our planet. She’s the co-host of Waterpeople Podcast with partner, Dave Rastovich.

David grew up near the beach in Orange County, California and started surfing at age 12. A storyteller by trade, Scales has explored writing, film, and podcasting. In 2013 he established the Surf Splendor podcast network, which now produces 6 surf-related podcasts. Surf Splendor features long form interviews with surf luminaries, many of whom have either showcased at the Florida Surf Film Festival or have served on the jury. Included among them, Jamie Brisick, Matt Warshaw, Morgan Maassen, and Chas Smith. Through Surf Splendor, Scales’s goal is to help chronicle surf history while simultaneously dissecting board design and providing commentary on surfing through ongoing open forum discussions between surf industry leaders and Surf Splendor’s listenership. Learn more and listen in at SurfSplendorPodcast.com 

Bright, hyper-ironic surf journalist, author, and bon vivant from Coos Bay, Oregon; frequent contributor to Stab magazine, ex-contributing editor at the now shuttered Surfing magazine, and co-founder of BeachGrit, a surfing website. Smith’s first book, Welcome to Paradise, Now Go to Hell, a surf-based cultural examination Oahu’s North Shore, came out in 2013. In an upbeat review, Kirkus called Smith the “clown prince of trash prose, and described the book as a “boozy and often funny investigation into a little-understood corner of America.” Paradise was a finalist for the PEN Center USA Award for Nonfiction. His second, Cocaine + Surfing: A Love Story! is out, along with Reports From Hell and Blessed Be the Bank Robbers. He also wrote and directed TROUBLE: The Lisa Andersen Story, winner of the Viewers’ Choice Award in 2018.

Jim Frost, surfer, also Stetson University alumni, and our very own Development Director, has agreed to join our board of directors. After years of supporting our festival as the former Co-Executive Director at Atlantic Center for the Arts, and now as a realtor here in New Smyrna Beach, he resides within walking distance of our home break.  With his years of passionate support of the arts, Jim has the experience and network in the art space to bolster our ability to support the long-term viability of the organization.

With extensive expertise in digital media, Brad Moody seamlessly merges passion, research, and hands-on application to excel in the Electronic Arts domain. Holding titles as an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Certified Trainer for Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve, Brad’s achievements underscore his unwavering commitment. As the Interim Chair of MCCMEA – School of Digital Media Production at Daytona State College, he’s instrumental in sculpting its path towards innovation, aligning with industry standards, and championing student aspirations. His tenure from 2010 to 2018 at the American University in Dubai, serving as Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Digital Media Major, resulted in key accolades like Apple’s Center of Excellence nomination and recognition by Blackmagic Design. Brad’s enduring impact is evident through his promotion of academic advancement, pivotal industry-academia partnerships, and his commitment to fostering creativity.