Patrons watch Skater Dater at California Heritage Museum's exhibit, “SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California” on Friday, September 3, 2010.
This 16mm short film, Skater Dater, released in 1965 is an all time classic in the history of skateboarding and even short films. It was Produced by Marshal Backlar, and written and directed by Noel Black and was the winner of the Palme d'Or for Best Short Film at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival.It was also nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Short Subject category. First prizes in international film festivals including Moscow and Venice.
Skater Dater follows a young boy as he emerges from childhood into adolescence. When he becomes interested in a girl, and loses leadership of the group in a test of skateboarding skills, he realizes that he is leaving his childhood for a new phase of his life.