The program has been released for the all-new FLOTSAM surf film and photography festival, launching on the Gold Coast 1-8 May, 2022.
Hear that rumble? It’s the sound of a massive program dropping for Flotsam, Gold Coast’s new film and photography festival exploring the creative side of surf culture.
Flotsam will take over spaces across the southern Gold Coast in early May with a mix of short pop-up film installations, photography exhibitions, movie screenings, workshops and photo meets.
With Covid-19 restrictions hampering trade and events in the Gold Coast’s southern border region for the past two years, Flotsam is a commitment to better days to come. The festival aims to help the southern Gold Coast bounce back while showcasing the area’s unique surf culture, world-class waves, and abundant creative talent – many of whom were disproportionately affected by rolling lockdowns.
We took a look at some of the events you will be able to enjoy throughout the festival.
FLOTSAM: FOCAL POINT
The Coolangatta foreshore is one of the most storied strips of coast in the surfing world. Cyclone swells, world champs, pro contests, outrageous tube rides, underground rippers – the ‘Gatta has seen it all. Now, for the first time, Focal Point celebrates this extraordinary surfing wonderland with an outdoor photo exhibition that captures peak moments from our surfing heritage by some of our region’s top surf photographers – and places them back in the vantage points they were taken from.
Curated by three-time Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Culture Award winner, Tim Baker, this series of ten installations will be spaced from the top of Kirra Hill along the Coolangatta beachfront, traversing Greenmount headland and on to Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Point Danger.
Informative captions tell the stories behind the images, and you can scan QR codes for extra content. Coolangatta has produced more world surfing champions, more world-class photographers and more great surfing moments than anywhere else on earth. Focal Point is Flotsam’s homage to this legendary surfing playground and the talented photographers who have documented it. Focal Point will run for the duration of the Flotsam Festival.
'MORNING OF THE EARTH' 50TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING
Kicking off opening night of Flotsam Festival is the celebration of 50 years of the film that inspired a generation, meticulously remastered in 4K.
Albert Falzon’s 1972 Classic, 'Morning of the Earth' (G) is internationally renowned as one of the greatest surf films of all time. Its psychedelic imagery and audio-visual tour de force captured the spirit of a generation and became an instant benchmark of avant-garde cinema. A fantasy of surfers living in three unspoiled lands and playing in natures oceans, 'Morning of the Earth' tells the story of a group of friends exploring the measures of all things beautiful.
This museum-grade restoration off the original 16mm AB rolls presents a pristine copy which, Albert says, “looks and sounds better than it ever has.” Experience the film under the stars atop Kirra Hill, overlooking the break that was immortalized with Michael Peterson’s opening rides in the film. In addition to the remastered version of MOTE, the anniversary screenings will also feature the short film '50 Years Around the Sun', which showcases never-been-seen-outtakes from the MOTE “Lost Reels”.
PHOTO EXHIBITIONS & WORKSHOPS
Over thirty high caliber artists will have their work showcased during the festival, with highlights including Peter Joli Wilson, one of surf photography’s most recognised figures with a career spanning over 40 years, taking part in a group exhibition and headlining the festival’s photo workshops, photo walking tours, and a full day photo masterclass.
Internationally-acclaimed ocean photographer, Trent Mitchell, will be doing a site takeover of Coolangatta’s iconic Pink Hotel with a jaw-dropping series of black and white images.
Ted Grambeau will launch a never-seen prior series of images titled BIG. As an internationally-renowned surf adventure photographer Ted has spent a lifetime capturing action in some of the most remote regions on the planet. Aligning his philosophy of life, surf adventure and exploration for BIG, the name says it all – stunning imagery captured of giant waves from the four corners of the world presented in sizable fashion.
Photography programming also includes free photo meet ups and youth workshops.
FILM PROGRAMMING
For Flotsam: Lightwaves, the Cooly Hotel will be lit up with epic footage and projections from some of the area’s finest lensfolk and a crackin’ lineup of atmospheric, soundtrack-worthy live sounds, with footage and slide loops from Shagga Saffigna, Justin Gane, Nick Colbey, Shell Bankier, Dave Emge and more blitzing screens.
Other programming highlights include Currumbin RSL getting transformed into a portal of tubular dimensions when Flotsam Festival’s International Board Shorts hits the screens Sat May 7th. For our inaugural year, Flotsam has leaned on the heavyweights at Florida Surf Film Festival and London Surf Film Festival to scour the planet for the best clips also. The result is fours hours of films that patrons can enjoy with a single ticket.
There’s also outdoor film evenings, a surf clip competition, and additional photography events to fill out a week of pixel-related programming.
Flotsam Festival runs 1-8 May 2022 across various southern Gold Coast venues. Tickets will be available via Oztix and the festival website.
