“L E N A” documents the journey of the first German, female big wave surfer. Led by the fascination for the biggest waves of her life, and guided by the sombre respect for the power of the ocean, this film does not shy away from the complexities in telling Lena´s story of purpose and persistence in Nazaré.

The 25-minute film, directed by Luigi Rapanelli, has toured cinemas in Germany, across Europe, and internationally, with over 8000 viewers and exceeding 500,000 online viewers across platforms and in-flight entertainment. It is now freely available online. 

Black and white promotional graphic for the film 'One Ocean' tour, featuring laurel wreaths around the text 'Official Selection One Ocean Film Tour 2025'.
Logo for the Echo Mountain Film Festival, 2025, with white laurel branches on a black background.
Black and white logo with the word 'ELECT' and a checkmark
Abstract black and white geometric shape resembling a stylized bird or dragon head.
Emblem of the World of WOF eSports, featuring a globe with the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa visible.
Black background with white text inside a laurel wreath that reads 'Official Selection South Italy International Film Festival 2025'.
Black and white logo for the 2025 Surfer Film Festival, with the text 'Ericeira Portuguese Surfer Film Festival 2025 Official Selection' surrounded by a laurel wreath.

Watch the film

If you are interested in watching the film for free and receiving an update when the next one launches during Spring/Summer 2026, please enter your email address here. We will never share it with third parties. 

Silhouette of a person walking towards a garage with a jet ski inside, illuminated by a light from above.
A person surfing on a large ocean wave under a cloudy sky.
Silhouette of two individuals on a jet ski in the ocean near rocky cliffs, with waves crashing around them.
Large ocean wave with white spray and foam during daytime, overcast sky in the background.
People on a lighthouse pier watching large ocean waves crashing against the rocks.
Ocean waves crashing against cliffs with a lighthouse and building on top, under a cloudy sky.

  • When toughness, perseverance and passion are combined in 1 film!

    Sometimes you look at a movie and think to yourself: I would want to try that! And sometimes you look at a movie and you catch yourself watching it with your mouth open from being amazed. Well, that last one for sure holds up when watching this one! Lena is such an inspiring person to watch. Her drive, the will to be able to surf Nazare it's nothing more than amazing! The visuals of the movie combined with the story make it unique. It's a movie and documentary combined. An absolute must see!

    9.6/10 ★  on IMDb

  • Amazing movie about courage, persistence and personal growth

    I very much enjoyed watching LENA, it's just a beautiful and real story of LENA on her journey to big wave surfing. It's not about the show it's just the real and pure story of a women chasing her dreams and surfing the biggest waves of the world.

    9.6/10 ★  on IMDb

  • Very Atmospheric Portrait

    Although I am not a surfer myself, I loved this artsy portrait of Lena and her first winter in Nazaré. It's beautifully filmed and has a great, matching soundtrack. I was really mesmerized from the first minutes. To me, it's an artwork and a doc about a strong female athlete in one. Highly recommend!!

    9.6/10 ★  on IMDb

SCREENINGS 2025

30.5. Düsseldorf, DE – Surfpark Langenfeld

4.7. Paraty, BR – Cinema da Praça Paraty

18.7. Barletta, IT – South Italy IFF

23.7. Ericeira, PT – Portuguese Surf Film Festival

18.8. Wien, AT – Surf Film Nacht

20.8. Berlin, DE – Surf Film Nacht

25.8. Köln, DE – Surf Film Nacht

26.8. München, DE – Surf Film Nacht

28.8. Leipzig, DE – Surf Film Nacht

29.8. Hamburg, DE – Surf Film Nacht

31.8. Sofia, BG – IFF Against The Flow

4.9. Kiel, DE – Surf Film Nacht

10.9. Düsseldorf, DE – Surf Film Nacht

12.9. Offenbach, DE – Surf Film Nacht

18.9. Kiel, DE – Surf Film Nacht

20.9. Beirut, LB – Lebanese Outdoors Film Fest

26.9. Frankfurt, DE - Sportfilmfestival

15.-30.9. – Odyssey Film Festival

1.10. Warnemünde, DE – Baltic Sheside

16.10. Skopje, MK – Echo Mountain Film Festival

12.10. – Poetic Phonoteque

21.10. Zurich, CH – Surf Film Nacht

21.10. Luzern, CH – Surf Film Nacht

21.10. Bern, CH – Surf Film Nacht

17.11. Copenhagen, DK – Surf Film Nacht

18.11. Zurich, CH – Surf Film Nacht

2.12. Frankfurt, DE – Surf Film Nacht

3.12. Berlin, DE – Surf Film Nacht

7.12. Wien, AT – Surf Film Nacht

17.12. Biarritz, FR – Siska Girl Surf Crew

27.12. Nazaré, PT – Nazaré Surf Film Festival

SCREENINGS 2026

9.-10.1. Bogura, BD – Bogura IFF

16.1. Schladming, AT – Sneak Peak Movie Night

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