From the rugged coastlines of Slovenia to the refined surf breaks of Biarritz, filmmaker Aljaž Babnik captures movement with a cinematic eye that bridges high fashion, art, and ocean culture.

Based between Paris and the coastlines of his choosing, Aljaž founded 42°films—an award-winning creative studio that’s worked with Adidas, Vans, Nike, and Deus Ex Machina.

His latest collaboration with Vampire Surf Club showcases what happens when Italian electronic soundscapes meet French surf minimalism—all through the lens of a director who sees waves as moving art.VSC: What drew you to collaborating with Vampire Surf Club on this project? What's the narrative you wanted to explore?

AB: At first, I was drawn in by the name—and then by the whole creation and message behind the brand. I wanted to explore the idea of creation through the lens of protection, and trying to enter a different universe.VSC: We discovered your work when Emocean Magazine Issue 08 showcased your Solarize Me series, images exploring sun worship through liquid light. How did you adapt that visual language for a brand that's all about protecting yourself from the very thing you worship?

AB: I see light—or the sun—not just as something physical, but as an energy field that connects to your body and to creation itself.VSC: You brought Mattia Cupelli’s music into the project. What drew you to his sound for this film?

AB: Mattia Cupelli is a very interesting artist who’s constantly exploring new ways of expressing emotion through sound. His music feels more distinctive than anything else—it connects to a different universe, and for me, that’s what the ocean represents too.VSC: You've recently moved from filming along the Biarritz coast to life in Paris—what's it like trading Atlantic swells for city energy?

AB: Yes, I’m still discovering that transition because it’s quite new. Understanding the movement of a city like Paris is fascinating—it’s full of energy, inspiration, and new forms of creation. I think it will contribute a lot to my future projects, especially toward my long-term goal of making a feature fiction film. Let’s see :)VSC: How do you think surf filmmaking is evolving? What kinds of stories or aesthetics feel exciting to you right now?

AB: I feel it’s stagnating a bit—repetitive movement and ideas we’ve already seen. I still believe documentary surf films can be very powerful, but much of the rest feels repetitive. I wish filmmakers would explore the philosophy and culture of surfing more deeply. Surfing isn’t just about performance; it’s about a pure connection with water, nature, and the moment you’re given. Surfers themselves could push more creative ideas—it’s not all about vlogs, scores, and views. Surfing is a spiritual connection, if you allow yourself to experience it.

I’d love to see more fiction films or real stories connected with surfing—stories that bring in culture, more cinematic depth, more human connection, and less judgment. I want to see narratives that create opportunities for people.

I’d like to mention a short film coming out by Gabriel Novis called 'Alice', which follows a trans woman who finds solace in surfing the waters of Maceió. After losing her father, fear and violence push her away from the sport—until she rediscovers community, healing, and the joy of surfing once again. It’s a story told in a documentary style.

On the other hand, I’d also love to see more fiction inspired by true events—or even simple reflections on the surf community.

There’s still so much space to create.

There’s something electric about a filmmaker who treats light as energy, waves as moving art, and surfing as spiritual connection.

If this conversation caught your attention, the film itself will pull you under.
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