A 17 minute short film telling the story of the South Sea Spray Festival in Bluff has now been released on You Tube.

Filmmaker Mirella Moschella interviewed many of the street artists and Bluff community members during the week-long festival in February.

Artists spoke about their connections and links to Southland, their appreciation for the local hospitality and kai moana and their hopes that by sharing their skills during youth workshops that more young artists would follow in their footsteps and create more murals.

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The South Sea Spray Festival was produced by Invercargill artist Danny “Deow” Owens and the Miharo Trust and supported by the Bluff Community Association.

Artists included Dcypher, Charles and Janine Williams, MrG, Kell Sunshine, Yikes, Erika Pearce, Berst, Shane Walkers, Ikarus, Koryu and Sean Duffell.

The festival was a continuation of a similar event held in Riverton in 2019 and after finishing up at Bluff, the artists went on to create more street art in Gore.

The winner of the Kiri Lee Fishing Ltd People’s Choice Award went to artist Koryu, who said on the video he was surprised, as it was his first mural festival and Bluff had attracted New Zealand’s finest mural artists.

“I just want to say thank you for having me . . . this is one of the most happiest moments in my life,” he said.

There are hopes Bluff’s new murals will create a visitor trail and benefit the town’s businesses.

Thousands of people visited the town during the festival, including four busloads of school children.

About 500 people visited the Lighthouse Art Gallery and more than 70 works of art were sold.

VIEW THE VIDEO HERE

READ MORE ABOUT SOUTHLAND'S STREET ART HERE