Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Cigarette Surfboard

Play trailer 3:03 Poster for The Cigarette Surfboard 2024 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 2 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An impassioned surfer, Taylor Lane, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The Cigarette Surfboard takes Taylor around the world to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the ocean through science, education, art, business and political activism. Inspired by this global cast of characters (including Jack Johnson, Cliff Kapono, Easkey Britton and Mikey February), Taylor returns home to California and uses the Ciggy Boards to generate uproar on the environmental, human health, and economic impacts of cigarette butts. The Ciggy Boards become the symbol of a grassroots campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. This immersive documentary provides viewers an up close experience of the ocean through surfers' eyes to amplify a message of urgency and possibility regarding the ocean's wellbeing. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal.

Critics Reviews

View More
Beth Accomando KPBS.org 02/19/2025
The film is a beautiful and inspiring portrait of activism. Go to Full Review
Bill Arceneaux Moviegoing with Bill 10/27/2024
3/5
Incredibly engaging, very smart, and totally rad. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Emma C @RT02684898 4h A beautifully-crafted surfing film to ensnare surfers and non-surfers alike. The hopeful through line of environmental activism is a breath of fresh air. The Ciggy Surfboard is a perfect blend of far-flung footage that makes you want to be there, humorous characters and policy education. Don't miss it! See more Jess S @jessswigs 20h At a time when doom and gloom stories are all too common, The Cigarette Surfboard is a breath of fresh air. We need films like this that keep communities inspired and hopeful as we build the more beautiful world we all know is possible. I came upon the film at Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, CA and had the pleasure of meeting the filmmaker as well (plus got a photo with the famous ciggy surfboard!) You can tell when a creator cares deeply about their work and it's a joy as an audience member to experience it. See more Lucy D @RT09308574 1d The Cigarette Surfboard is an inspiring film that shows how creativity, persistence, and community engagement can drive meaningful environmental change. By tackling cigarette butt pollution through an innovative and hopeful lens, the film encourages viewers to think differently about waste, policy, personal responsibility, and environmental stewardship. During our screening at the College of Charleston, the film sparked thoughtful conversations among students, faculty, community members, and environmental professionals. It inspired action, highlighted practical ways individuals can make a difference, and demonstrated the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. The storytelling is engaging, approachable, and optimistic without oversimplifying the issue. The Cigarette Surfboard is an outstanding educational resource and a compelling example of how storytelling can motivate positive change and build more environmentally conscious communities. See more Ginger K @vakowal 1d I loved this film. I was fortunate to see it at a screening at UNCA in Asheville NC. The film was a beautiful combination of a young man's personal story to clean up the beach and make a difference in his community, and an expose on the tobacco industry, combined with glorious footage of beautiful ocean environments. I'm not a surfer, but I felt like I could feel the ease and flow of surfing in this film. The combination of care for community and the wider world, the real activist struggle of making a difference in the world, and the pure joy of sport made this an engaging, uplifting experience. See more Donald L @Dondon888 1d Very entertaining and educational. This film follows the parallel stories of the creation of the Cigarette Surfboard and the environmental impact of filtered cigarettes. Beautifully filmed, great music and a compelling story. This one is a must see! See more Josh B @RT14714519 2d This film was thought provoking and took us on a journey that everyone need to follow at least once. How the surfboard developers showcase their various challenges and how they overcame them is an inspiring tale worthy of our time and attention. See more Read all reviews
The Cigarette Surfboard

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Balomania % % Balomania Watchlist The Fisherman and the Banker % % The Fisherman and the Banker Watchlist Cruise Boom % % Cruise Boom Watchlist Walk with Me % % Walk with Me Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis An impassioned surfer, Taylor Lane, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The Cigarette Surfboard takes Taylor around the world to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the ocean through science, education, art, business and political activism. Inspired by this global cast of characters (including Jack Johnson, Cliff Kapono, Easkey Britton and Mikey February), Taylor returns home to California and uses the Ciggy Boards to generate uproar on the environmental, human health, and economic impacts of cigarette butts. The Ciggy Boards become the symbol of a grassroots campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. This immersive documentary provides viewers an up close experience of the ocean through surfers' eyes to amplify a message of urgency and possibility regarding the ocean's wellbeing. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal.
Director
Ben Judkins
Producer
Taylor Lane, Ben Judkins
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 33m