Sign up to our newsletter and become a Club Huck member.

Stay informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture

Surf prodigy Noah Beschen shows off in Hawaii

THE WILD

THE WILD

"The Wild," featuring Noah Beschen, was awarded the Grand Prize at the REDirect Surf Film Festival. This visually striking short film captures the raw beauty and restless spirit of a young surfer answering the timeless call of the ocean. It’s a meditation on nature, identity, and the journey into manhood. Presented by RED Digital Cinema and Surfer Magazine, REDirect Surf was a pioneering film competition that challenged 11 handpicked filmmakers to push the boundaries of surf storytelling using RED’s 6K Dragon cameras. Over 10 weeks of shooting and 4 weeks of editing, each creator crafted a unique vision of surf culture. A distinguished panel of judges—including legendary filmmaker Taylor Steele, RED CEO Jarred Land, Surfer Magazine Editor Grant Ellis, and Jamin Jannard (son of RED founder Jim Jannard)—selected "The Wild" as the standout.

vimeo.com
Sharks and idyllic streams — Filmmaker Aaron Lieber's THE WILD displays Noah Beschen's immense skill and wins the top prize at the the REDirect Surf Film Festival.

Aaron Lieber scooped the grand prize at the second REDirect Surf Film Festival with his short THE WILD, which shows 15-year-old surf wunderkind Noah Beschen doing what he does best.

The beautifully shot film follows Noah through a dense forest, showing off Hawaii’s naturally awe-inspiring landscapes and then into the sea. Watching Noah run through the forest, float in the water and get within touching distance of a massive turtle is enough to make anyone question why they’re not out in the water. Like, right now!

THE WILD rests on more than Noah’s undoubted skill as a surfer, though. Lieber has managed to capture how raw and natural surfing is to his subject; he glides effortlessly over the water, spins with absolute ease and looks as comfortable riding a crest as he does running up through the winding jungle paths.

As a reward, RED, who partnered the event with Surfer Magazine, gave Lieber a ton of camera gear ideal for shooting surfing.

David Malcolm placed as Lieber’s runner-up for his film Los Zapatos with Eric Knutson rounding off the top three as well as taking home the Fan Favourite award for Being A Surfer Is Fun.

Check out more from the RED x Surfer Magazine REDirect Surf Film Festival.


You might like

© Joan Piekny
Culture

Vintage photos of London street life at the turn of the millennium

London 1995-2005 — In her new photobook, Joan Piekny reflects on a decade shooting the styles and subcultures of the UK capital’s streets, just before technology .

Written by: Miss Rosen

Huck 83: Life Is A Journey Issue

Princess Julia: “I always state my age as I can’t believe I’m still around”

First lady — As the latest Artist-In-Residence of Huck 83, the London nightlife legend speaks to Josh Jones and provides a few recommendations and words of wisdom.

Written by: Josh Jones

Sport

Moshpits & kickflips at the Volcom Garden Experience 2026

Family affair — Last weekend, the skate, surf and snow culture brand hosted a free mini festival in its European backyard of Biarritz. We went along and chatted to legendary artist and surfer Ozzie Wright.

Written by: Isaac Muk

© Alex Williams
Sport

As the Cornwall & Devon coastline gentrifies, what’s left at UK surfing’s spiritual home?

Priced out – Once belonging to anyone willing to be cold and thrown around underwater, the sport is becoming increasingly inaccessible, as second homes and commodification reshape England’s southwestern shores.

Written by: Noah Petersons

Culture

A luminous portrait of Black life over six decades

Shared Memories — As staff photographer for The New York Times, Chester Higgins captured Black culture and spiritual connection like no other. A new exhibition celebrates his life and impact.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Culture

A tender portrait of life and ritual from Mexico City’s streets

Órale — For the last six years of his life, photographer, collector and designer Michel Hurst documented death rituals, street life and religious pageantry in contemporary Mexico. A new monograph showcases his work. 

Written by: Roxana Diba

You've read articles this month Thanks for reading

Join Club Huck — it's free!

Valued Huck reader, thank you for engaging with our journalism and taking an interest in our dispatches from the sharp edge of culture, sport, music and rebellion.

We want to offer you the chance to join Club Huck [it's free!] where you will receive exclusive newsletters, including personal takes on the state of pop culture and media from columnist Emma Garland, culture recommendations, interviews and dispatches straight to your inbox.

You'll also get priority access to Huck events, merch discounts, and more fun surprises.

Already part of the club? Enter your email above and we'll get you logged in.