Phil Avalon is one of Australia's most successful independent film-makers.
In his autobiography 'From Steel City to Hollywood' Phil tells his story of a kid grpwing up in 'Steel City'- Newcastle, NSW, his memories as a surfer in the early 1970's, as a struggling actor, a Cleo centrefold, and later a writer, director and producer.
In 1978 he wrote, produced and starred in arguably Australia's most successful independant film, 'Summer City', which unearthed a young mel Gibson, Steve Bisley and John Jarratt.
Since that time he has made more than a dozen films starring notable Hollywood stars and captured a Masters World Surfing Championship along the way.