At Three Tanners Bank
Thursday 23rd April 2026 @ 7pm
Join us for a special NSSFF screening of Alan White and Jamie Brisick’s feauture length documentary ‘The Life and Death of Westerly Windina’ (90mins)
18+
Trailer link here.
A challenging, insightful, tender and gripping watch, not to be missed. In the 1960s and 70s, Australian surfer Peter Drouyn was on top of the surfing world.
“Drouyn dominated the international competitive ranks, changed the way modern surf competitions are run, and introduced surfing to China. But behind the macho surf star persona and the adoration of contemporaries was an athlete who felt ostracized by a culture that was often hypermasculine and sexist. In the 1980s, Drouyn drifted away from competitive surfing and all but disappeared from the public eye.
In 2008, years after nearly drowning in a traumatic and life-changing surfing accident, Drouyn suddenly resurfaced by coming out as a trans woman on national television. Her new name, she said, was Westerly Windina. “It was a supernova,” Westerly said of her gender awakening. “It just kicked in one night, and suddenly Peter went; Westerly was there.” The surf community, and Australia at large, were astonished. Though she’d once been a top-tier athlete with sponsorships and a burgeoning acting career, Westerly was now living in public housing on Australia’s Gold Coast – alone, poor, and often taunted by her neighbors.
The Life and Death of Westerly Windina explores Westerly’s upbringing, her years as a surfing titan, and follows her into a new chapter as she searches for acceptance from friends, family, a still-hyper masculine sport, and most importantly – from herself.”
TWELVE YEARS IN THE MAKING
An epic twelve years in the making, the film highlights Drouyn’s seminal contributions to surfing while exploring the isolation and struggles faced behind his swaggering public persona, and eventual transition. Westerly Windina was able to dig deep into the essence of identity, and triumph despite harsh scrutiny. The film packs an incredible punch.
A REMARKABLE STORY THAT TELLS THE INCREDIBLE TRUE JOURNEY OF AUSTRALIAN SURFING ICON PETER DROUYN’S GLORIOUS AND HARROWING TRANSFORMATION INTO WESTERLY WINDINA.
“The Life and Death of Westerly Windina” world premiered at the 2024 Byron Bay International Film Festival, where it won Best Film and Best Surf Film. After a spotilight screening at the Brisbane International Film Festival - Peter Drouyn/Westerly’s home city - the film then scooped up Best Documentary at the 2024 London Surf Film Festival. At THE2024 Florida Surf Film Festival, the film had a powerful impact and is continuing its festival run - most recently winning the Prix du Jury at the Anglet International Film Festival.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
WINNER BEST FILM - LISBON FILM FESTIVAL - SURF AT LISBON - 2025
WINNER PRIX DU JURY - INTERNATIONAL SURF FILM
FESTIVAL ANGLET - 2025
WINNER OF BEST FILM AND BEST SURF FILM - BYRON BAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
WINNER BEST DOCUMENTARY - LONDON SURF FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
BEST DOCUMENTARY FINALIST - SEPTIMIUS AWARDS - 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION - International Film Festival The Hague
2025.OFFICIAL SELECTION - BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION - FLORIDA SURF FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION - NOOSA SURF FESTIVAL - 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION - PARIS SURF AND SKATE FESTIVAL -2025
At Three Tanners Bank
Thursday 23rd April 2026 @ 7pm
Join us for a special NSSFF screening of Alan White and Jamie Brisick’s feauture length documentary ‘The Life and Death of Westerly Windina’ (90mins)
18+
Trailer link here.
A challenging, insightful, tender and gripping watch, not to be missed. In the 1960s and 70s, Australian surfer Peter Drouyn was on top of the surfing world.
“Drouyn dominated the international competitive ranks, changed the way modern surf competitions are run, and introduced surfing to China. But behind the macho surf star persona and the adoration of contemporaries was an athlete who felt ostracized by a culture that was often hypermasculine and sexist. In the 1980s, Drouyn drifted away from competitive surfing and all but disappeared from the public eye.
In 2008, years after nearly drowning in a traumatic and life-changing surfing accident, Drouyn suddenly resurfaced by coming out as a trans woman on national television. Her new name, she said, was Westerly Windina. “It was a supernova,” Westerly said of her gender awakening. “It just kicked in one night, and suddenly Peter went; Westerly was there.” The surf community, and Australia at large, were astonished. Though she’d once been a top-tier athlete with sponsorships and a burgeoning acting career, Westerly was now living in public housing on Australia’s Gold Coast – alone, poor, and often taunted by her neighbors.
The Life and Death of Westerly Windina explores Westerly’s upbringing, her years as a surfing titan, and follows her into a new chapter as she searches for acceptance from friends, family, a still-hyper masculine sport, and most importantly – from herself.”
TWELVE YEARS IN THE MAKING
An epic twelve years in the making, the film highlights Drouyn’s seminal contributions to surfing while exploring the isolation and struggles faced behind his swaggering public persona, and eventual transition. Westerly Windina was able to dig deep into the essence of identity, and triumph despite harsh scrutiny. The film packs an incredible punch.
A REMARKABLE STORY THAT TELLS THE INCREDIBLE TRUE JOURNEY OF AUSTRALIAN SURFING ICON PETER DROUYN’S GLORIOUS AND HARROWING TRANSFORMATION INTO WESTERLY WINDINA.
“The Life and Death of Westerly Windina” world premiered at the 2024 Byron Bay International Film Festival, where it won Best Film and Best Surf Film. After a spotilight screening at the Brisbane International Film Festival - Peter Drouyn/Westerly’s home city - the film then scooped up Best Documentary at the 2024 London Surf Film Festival. At THE2024 Florida Surf Film Festival, the film had a powerful impact and is continuing its festival run - most recently winning the Prix du Jury at the Anglet International Film Festival.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
WINNER BEST FILM - LISBON FILM FESTIVAL - SURF AT LISBON - 2025
WINNER PRIX DU JURY - INTERNATIONAL SURF FILM
FESTIVAL ANGLET - 2025
WINNER OF BEST FILM AND BEST SURF FILM - BYRON BAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
WINNER BEST DOCUMENTARY - LONDON SURF FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
BEST DOCUMENTARY FINALIST - SEPTIMIUS AWARDS - 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION - International Film Festival The Hague
2025.OFFICIAL SELECTION - BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION - FLORIDA SURF FILM FESTIVAL - 2024
OFFICIAL SELECTION - NOOSA SURF FESTIVAL - 2025
OFFICIAL SELECTION - PARIS SURF AND SKATE FESTIVAL -2025
