Stoking momentum for women’s surf coverage from all sides of the lens.

Featuring Patcha Light, Cindy Vortman (Cinderpixx), Clementine Bourke, Izzy Henshall, Tahlija Redgard and filmmaker Charlotte Martin and many more in a stellar lineup of female creator-led panels and a curated selection of international shorts, photo projections, and film celebrating women women in surf.

The gather ’round as several festival contributing photographers, filmmakers + athletes discuss the positive media evolution of women’s surfing, and the increase of water-inspired female photographers and filmers hosted by women’s surf journalist and author of the Bikini Collective book series, Kate McMahon.

Pacha Light

Ecuadorian born, Australian-raised surfer and activist Pacha Light will be joining us to share behind-the-scenes stories from an exciting new project with filmmakers Lucy Small and Maddie Meddings, the duo behind critically acclaimed debut film Yama that screened with us at Flotsam in ’23.

This time around the sights are set on the wave rich and biodiverse country of Ecuador – Pacha’s birthplace. With a long history of both environmental destruction and fierce resistance, Ecuador’s landscapes are some of the most important and beautiful in the world. Spliced by the Andes Mountains, patchworked by the Amazon rainforest and home to the Galapagos Islands, one of the largest marine reserves in the world and containing rich concentrations of ocean biodiversity. At (Surf) Girls On Film, Pacha will share some of Maddy’s stunning imagery tracing Lucy and Pacha’s travels beyond just wave exploration — meeting female Indigenous activists on the frontlines of environmental conflict, female surfers on the coastline and women driving the conservation efforts in the Galapagos.

Tea Breaks and Tiger Tales: Izzy Henshall

Former British and Junior champ Izzy Henshall trades Cornwall for Sumatra in this brand new film by Ed West. Izzy and Ed will be joining us for the screening to share the film and the behind the scenes ( tiger) tales.

Yowalla Gana Wara: Tahlija Redgard and filmmaker Charlotte Martin

Waterwoman extraordinaire Tahlija Redgard and filmmaker Charlotte Martin will join (Surf) Girls on Film to chat about the making of Yowalla and share a screening of this inspiring surf explorer film.

Twenty Two: Shannon Hayes

Anne Dos Santos was one of the most barreled women of 2023. After meeting filmmaker Shannon Hayes, the two quickly became besties and embarked on a journey of epic proportions: a three week trip to Indonesia that turned extended months. The kind where every wrong turn leads you to your newfound treasure. They found plenty of good waves including pumping Nias. Shannon shares a screening + joins our panel to chat bout the film making process behind this timecapsule.

Here, Roisin Carolan: Clementine Bourke

Film maker Clementine Bourke shares how she and Roisin Carolan got together to make this little film that talks about life, career, making it on tour and of course surfing. Cross stepping waves across Byron Bay, France and Victoria, we’ll then enjoy a film screening of what Clementine calls ‘ a collection of special moments filmed over the year’.

Presence: Luiza de Andrade, Bia Vilela

Presence narrates the journey of Thati, a woman determined to overcome her anxiety attacks through surfing. She finds refuge in the waves, where the surfboard becomes her ally and personal therapy.

Plus much more!

This evening celebrates female athletes on film, leading female film and photographers, and the positive rise of both in unison. Come along to support the next gen of female surf creators.

As this event contains film content that is unclassified, age restrictions apply. Viewing is restricted for patrons under 15 years unless accompanied by an adult.