Content production: the French Touch goes global

Speakers : Laurent Pujol , Michael Darrigade , Alexandre Lesbats

Winner of an Emmy Award, the documentary series 100 Foot Wave (HBO) has redefined the way big wave surfing is filmed. It follows Garrett McNamara and other exceptional surfers in their quest for the most gigantic waves on the planet. More than just a documentary, the series has become a human and sporting epic that has transformed Nazaré, a small Portuguese fishing village, into the world capital of extreme surfing.

Behind these spectacular images is a French team from the Landes and Basque Country regions. At its helm are Julie and Vincent Kardasik, directors and producers, the true visual conductors of the series, who coordinated the narration and gave 100 Foot Wave its unique cinematic signature. They are also the authors of Dos au Mur (Canal+ Docs, 2025), a film about Jérémy Florès that traces his career, his battle with illness, and his transition to coaching, confirming their ability to combine intimacy and visual power.

Alongside them is Laurent Pujol, former pro surfer and master of aquatic imagery, two-time Emmy Award winner for his spectacular shots from inside the tube; Michael Darrigade, director of photography and director, known for his immersive style and cinéma vérité shots that capture the intensity of big wave surfers; and Alexandre Lesbats, a talented young photographer and cameraman whose sensitivity marked season 3 with powerful and iconic images.

Moderated by Nicolas Dazet, this closing discussion will go far beyond the behind-the-scenes of filming: it will explore the place of content creation in our industries, its role in cultural transmission, and its ability to promote the art of surfing well beyond our shores. Because filming and storytelling also feed the collective imagination, inspire new generations, and assert a true French Touch in global audiovisual media.