Flotsam festival drops in on the Gold Coast
Flotsam Festival 2024 has officially dropped in on the Gold Coast, marking 12 days of celebration of surf culture, art, and creativity.
The multi-trail surf film and photography celebration features dozens of events and exhibitions that stretch along the shores of the southern Gold Coast from May 1 to May 12.
The 2024 edition will deliver several new initiatives and welcome works by a wave of international stars as events roll along the coastline through Coolangatta, Kirra, Tugun, Currumbin, Palm Beach, and Burleigh.
Now in its third year, Flotsam features film screenings, exhibitions, photography, live music and performances, and educational workshops, presenting a diverse array of free or low-cost activities that showcase the unique essence of the Gold Coast surf culture.
Multiple film and photography competitions launched in the festival lead-up, along with two major interactive and free community photography initiatives, Now + Then and Flotsam Ripples.
Coolangatta’s iconic The Pink Hotel will have its fenceline wrapped in images for Flotsam’s Now + Then, a site takeover showcasing a photographic journey through time via images from local past and present shown across the eras, with additional images accessible by QR code.
Curated by Ted Grambeau, Flotsam International Masters of Surf exhibition will feature arguably the largest group of leading surf photographers ever assembled into one exhibition.
With more than 40 of the world-best surf photographers contributing, this exhibition will launch at Kirra Beach House on May 3, 1-5pm.
Guest panellists will include surf filmmaker Taylor Steele joining Ted to recount their adventures shooting Mick Fanning biopic ‘Missing’.
The Kirra Hill Community & Culture Centre will also be home to the Australian Surf Photo of the Year Exhibition from 1-12 May and the Flotsam Media + Makers forum May 11.
Hosted by award-winning author and journalist Tim Baker, the free Media + Makers forum will host informative panels on topics ranging from the art of book making, to how to make a living as a freelancer.
HOTA, Home of the Arts will showcase the Occumentary 25th Anniversary Screening with surf filmmaker Jack McCoy. This will be the first time the film has been shown in cinemas on the big screen.
Seminal surf filmmakers George Greenough and Andrew Kidman will also have work featured in showcase events during the festival, bringing with them a host of special guests and - in the case of Kidman - live music scores to classic films.
Flotsam Festival was created to foster and spotlight individual artists, creators and talent, amplify the flourishing arts and cultural industry, and serve as a place of community connection.
“Entering year three, the Flotsam lineup is set to deliver one of the largest ocean-inspired arts festivals of its kind. The calibre of international talent from across the eras joining us will ensure this year’s exhibitions and film events are truly world class,” said FLOTSAM Festival Director, Carolyn Emge.
You can find out more about all the events on offer at Flotsam's website.
2024 Program multi day exhibitions
1-12 May, 2024 unless otherwise indicated.
Flotsam: Focal Point Exhibition
Iconic surfing images from some of the world’s finest lens folk are placed back to the vantage points they were taken from. Various outdoor locations, Coolangatta. FREE.
Ozzie Wright: Enter the Gateway to the 69th Dimension
Influential surfer and artist Ozzie Wright unleashes his latest art, film and photo experiment.
Love Street Café, Kirra. Daily 5:30am— 2pm. FREE.
Flotsam Now + Then Project
Bending the space-time continuum with a trip through the eras, the iconic Pink Hotel fenceline will host Now + Then, a community photo project pairing images from Gold Coast’s past to present. The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta. FREE.
Flotsam Road Trip
An ode to the surfing road trip. A collision of photo and film celebrating surf trips through the ages. Iron and Resin, Currumbin. Mon-Fri 6am – 3pm, Weekends 7am – 1pm. FREE.
Flotsam Canisters
Photography exclusively shot on film in a group exhibition featuring Ming Nomchong, Nat McComas, Trent Mitchell, Luke Henery and more. Outer Bound, Burleigh. Mon-Fri 5:30 am –1 pm, Sat 6am – 11 am. FREE.
Flotsam Ripples
Updated daily, Ripples is a community photo project exploring ‘Blue Mind’ art therapy images that are captured, distributed and then projected on screens in locations across the city to reach those unable to make the trek to water themselves. Various locations, see site for details and how to participate. FREE.
Shelli Bankier: Body of Ocean
The Body Method, Tugun. Mon- Sat 6am – 8 pm. FREE.
Ella Tubman: Feel Something
4 Pines Coolangatta, Daily 7am —10pm. FREE.
Jacqueline Scott: Mermaids & Their Playground
Wade’s World Photographics, Coolangatta. Mon-Fri 9am – 5 pm. FREE.
(26 April - 20 May) Surfing Australia’s Australian Surf Photographer of the Year Finalists.
Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre. Mon to Fri 9am – 4.30pm. FREE.
(4 May - 20 May) Flotsam International Masters of Surf
Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre. Mon to Fri 9am – 4.30pm. FREE.