Five Hundred Summer Stories

The filmmaker of the surfing documentary Five Summer Stories and pioneer of the IMAX format tells stories from his adventurous life and groundbreaking career in Hollywood and beyond.

Greg MacGillivray is a man with stories. Stories of being a surfer kid in California, making his first movie at the age of 13, and his early days as a filmmaker, creating iconic surfing documentaries such as the cult classic Five Summer Stories with his partner in crime, Jim Freeman. Stories from his years in Hollywood, working with legends such as Stanley Kubrick (on The Shining), and pioneering the 70mm IMAX film format, creating some of the most spectacular, groundbreaking cinematography celebrating the natural world.

There are stories of almost dying in New Guinea, flying into the eyes of hurricanes, the perils of filming in the USSR, and how filming Mount Everest changed his life. Greg MacGillivray has led a life like no other, and for the first time, he’s telling his story.

In this fascinating memoir, Greg chronicles his personal journey as an artist, a self-made filmmaker, a father, and an entrepreneur at the head of the most successful documentary production company in history. It is also a story about MacGillivray’s deep commitment to family, ocean conservation, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting our natural heritage for generations to come. Contributions by legendary surfers Gerry Lopez and Bill Hamilton, and filmmakers such as Stephen Judson and Brad Ohlund, plus 40 QR codes to extraordinary film clips, add even more depth and perspective to this amazing journey.

Greg’s compelling stories of adventure, surfing, love, loss, inspiration, conservation, and filmmaking give you a front seat to an extraordinary life — and, just like his IMAX movies, make you feel as if you are there.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS: Includes 40 QR codes linked to rare, incredible videos that bring Greg MacGillvray’s stories to life.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRETS: Learn the history of the IMAX film format and how filmmakers achieve an immersive and awe-inspiring visual experience.

FROM SURFER TO MOVIE LEGEND: Follow the journey of a man who went from a teenage surfer to the most successful documentary filmmaker in history, with hundreds of amazing escapades and achievements in between.