The Gold Coast is about to get barrelled in stoke as Flotsam Festival 2025 paddles back in for 14 epic days celebrating the region's surf, film, photography and creativity.
From today, May 1 to May 14, the fourth instalment of this authentic Gold Coast multi-venue festival will roll like a groundswell up the coastline, filling indoor and outdoor spaces, cultural hubs and local businesses with an unmissable lineup of events and exhibitions.
This year, Flotsam is cranking up the swell with brand-new initiatives and a stacked lineup of groundbreaking artists. The expanded festival footprint stretches through Coolangatta, Kirra, Tugun, Currumbin, Palm Beach and Burleigh, delivering an immersive ride through cinema, photography, music and storytelling.
From film screenings and exclusive exhibitions to photography showcases, live performances, interactive discussions and hands-on workshops, the program shines a spotlight on surf culture.
With a mix of free and low-cost events, Flotsam remains an accessible, stoke-filled celebration for all. The festival kicks off with a gigantic free for all, Flotsam Block Party on tonight from 5 pm-8.30 pm.
Spanning Coolangatta Sands, Rattlesnake, Wade’s World, Bar Evelyn and Beach House, patrons can experience projections, surf films including Rage5 and Horse, workshops, exhibitions, DJ sets, live music and podcast recordings, plus Badlands Vinyl collaborations and an underwater photography showcase at Wade’s World.
Soak up the festival vibes at the Flotsam Immerse Hub, Flotsam Festival’s brand new pop-up hub at Doug Roughton Park, Kirra Beach. Presented by Div 13 Cr Gail O’Neill, the Flotsam Immerse Hub will be the heart of the opening weekend (May 2-4), offering free community beachside film nights, workshops, artist displays and live music.
International Surf Film Fest on May 2 will transform the Flotsam Immerse Hub into a portal of tubular dimensions, featuring a hand-picked selection of global surf cinema showcasing breathtaking waves and stories from around the world.
On May 3, Flotsam Oceans will partner with Surfrider Foundation to present a day of environmental focus, including a beach cleanup, kids' art workshops and Found Objects photography competition, transforming beach cleanups into creative activism.
As the sun sets, ocean conservation films will take centre stage, accompanied by live music and giveaways.
Flotsam's Immerse Hub will also be the home of Next Wave, spotlighting the next generation of creatives on May 4, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers, photographers and musicians from the region.
Presented by Tugun Community Bank, Next Wave champions the rising voices of the coastal creative scene, nurturing young talent and celebrating fresh perspectives in surf culture.
Flotsam Festival’s exhibitions will celebrate the lifelong creative journeys of acclaimed artists. Adventure photographer Tony Harrington will launch his new book, Defining Moments, at the Pink Hotel May 9, accompanied by large-scale installations on the hotels’ fence line to bring the book's stunning imagery to life.
Legendary board shaper, artist and photographer Richard Harvey will take audiences on a deep dive into 1970s Bali with his exhibition Spirit of Adventure – Indonesian Odyssey at Iron & Resin, Currumbin.
The exhibition will run for the duration of the festival, with a talk story on May 8. In conjunction with Climate Community Night, Flotsam will also host the Gold Coast premiere of Women and the Wind at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on May 7, taking audiences on an unforgettable voyage across the North Atlantic aboard Mara Noka, a 50-year-old wooden catamaran, capturing the resilience, adventure and artistry of ocean exploration.
In collaboration with Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Inc., Stoked! exhibition blends surf photography, film, and art to raise awareness about ocean conservation and protecting surfing ecosystems.
This month-long exhibition at Dust Temple, Currumbin, features stunning works by local photographers, filmmakers, and the late Peter Ramsay’s ocean surf art.
Staged by not-for-profit Flotsam Arts Inc, since inception Flotsam Festival has supported hundreds of independent artists to showcase their work - often in new and unexpected ways.
Flotsam Festival 2025 will continue this mission:
"Flotsam Festival was created to celebrate our coastline, shining a light on the vibrant arts and culture of the region. Now in its fourth year, Flotsam Festival 2025 promises to be one of the world's largest journeys into surf art and culture, raising the profile of ocean-inspired creatives both locally and globally,” says Flotsam Festival Director, Carolyn Emge.
To start planning your Flotsam Festival journey, visit flotsamfestival.com.au.
