Diary of a tsunami-relief effort

A new film from young Orange County surf star Timmy Turner will screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Tuesday, but not as part of the festival’s action-sports series.

Turner’s film, co-directed with Kristian McCue, has less to do with surfing and more to do with good works.

“Tsunami Diaries” documents a trip to Indonesia to give aid to villagers whose homes were destroyed by 2004’s massive tsunami there.

The “Tsunami Diaries” tells the story of Turner and his friend as they head to Indonesia on a relief mission six days after a tsunami devastated the country.

Turner initially went to join Surf Aid, a relief group of surfers, but he was turned away because of an overcrowded boat.

Determined to help, Turner and friends rented a boat and traveled to an island in northern Sumatra.

They gathered a crew of 13 ? including four doctors ? and 50 tons of supplies to provide medical attention and emergency food for two weeks.

“It was gnarly, with dead bodies floating everywhere,” Turner said of the time just after the disaster. “Everything was wrecked, like a war zone.”

The crew was able to help thousands of people begin to put their lives back together, Turner said.

Turner, as it turns out, is now in the process of putting his own life back together. Late last year, he suffered a wound in a surfing accident. It became badly infected, and he spent nearly two weeks in a coma.

The film incorporates video footage provided by tourists who had been in the area during the disaster.

“Not only is it inspiring, but the way the story unfolds is almost too good to write,” producer Jeff Coffman added.

“The Tsunami Diaries” screens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Regency Lido Theater.

ON SCREEN TODAY

“Sofia,” is a documentary chronicling starring Peruvian surfing phenom Sofia Mulanovich as she competes for the World Championship Tour women’s title. It screens at 5:30 p.m. at the Regency Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido Drive.

“Hidden Blade,” part of the festival’s Japanese Spotlight, tells of the adventures of samurai warriors as they leave their clan for a dangerous journey. It screens at 8:30 p.m. at Edwards Island Cinema, 999 Newport Center Drive.

Tickets for each screening are $15, or $40 for the screening and after-party.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.dpt.23-filmfest-CPhotoInfoGG1Q7R3020060423ix80opknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Peter Townend laughs as Timmy Turner speaks at a benefit for Turner in March.