Bringing together surfers, filmmakers, photographers and ocean lovers, the Gold Coast’s very own Flotsam Festival is returning for the fifth year in a row, running for two whole weeks!
Staged like a giant interactive arts trail, the Festival at once pays homage to and is inspired by the Gold Coast’s world-class surf breaks and iconic coastline through a maelstrom of short films, workshops, in-depth discussions with filmmakers and photographers, live music, and photo exhibitions.
Flotsam’s innovative outdoor photography showcases, which make the backdrop a part of the experience, as well as curated film nights and a youth film and photography initiative, partnering visuals with live performances by up-and-coming musicians, will be returning in this year’s edition, plus other surprises.
This year, the festival will honour the rich history of surf culture through film and photography, including the International Masters of Surf Exhibition at Dust Temple, curated by renowned surf photographer Ted Grambeau. The exhibition brings together over 50 of the world’s most influential surf photographers, each contributing a single image that represents their contribution to the history of surf photography.
The festival will also feature a screening of retro films including You Should Have Been Here Yesterday, as well as panels, like filmmaker Dick Hoole discussing the 50th anniversary of the first feature surf film produced in Queensland, Tubular Swells, and the surfers and filmmakers who helped shape modern surf culture.
Large-scale installations along the coastal foreshore and The Pink Hotel fence line will transform public space into an outdoor gallery, and Flotsam’s Kirra Hub will become the heart of the festival, showcasing the current generation of photographers, filmmakers, artists and musicians through exhibitions, film screenings, installations, artist talks, workshops, exhibitions and live music.
Festival favourite (Surf) Girls on Film will return to the program, highlighting the female perspective in surf media through film and photography, while Flotsam Oceans, in conjunction with Surfrider Foundation, promises a community-focused day bringing festival-goers together for beach clean-ups, environmental workshops and ocean conservation film screenings.
Practical information
Flotsam Festival will take place from Friday, May 1 to Friday, May 15 across Coolangatta, Kirra, Currumbin and Burleigh Heads.
You can see the full program here and get your tickets here.
