Media + Makers

Media + Makers brings you the voices shaping film, photography, publishing and surf art right now. This is your inside line to the ideas, people and creative hustle driving modern media making.

Join a lineup of indie journalists, filmmakers, artists and storytellers for a dynamic program of panels, short films, live recordings and real talk.

Hosted by author and former magazine editor Tim Baker, expect unfiltered conversations on everything from the rise of new media and AI, to the realities of freelancing and the ever-evolving world of print, film and broadcast.

In between sessions, dive into the Maker’s Showcase, featuring independent books, artworks and more from creators doing it their own way.

3.15pm  By The Book

A chat with writers and authors on the craft of putting together books, photo books and zines in the age of digital, including where to start and what’s involved.

Featuring authors Blake Johnson, Lauren Hill, Katey Shearer, Tricia Shantz, and Todd Thimios

3.55pm  Future of Media

Surf media once meant magazines and movies, but with print in decline and social media leaning towards snack-sized content, what is surf media? A panel dissects the current landscape of surf forecasting sites, AI, vloggers, and influencers and consumer trends.

Featuring Nick Carroll, Jamie Brooks, Stu Nettle and Kate McMahon

4.35pm  The Role of Visuals in Elevating Causes

If seeing is believing, then shaping public perceptions and highlighting causes through film and photography is a no-brainer. We chat with creators who are doing just that, and discuss the ins and outs of cause-centric content.

Featuring Lauren L Hill, Blake Johnson, Todd Thimios, and Craig Parry

5.15pm  Freelancer’s Guide to the Galaxy

With traditional ways for photographers and filmmakers to make a crust shifting reliance from mags and films to incorporate social and new media, we explore challenges for freelancers, dig for insights from success stories, tackle how AI and emerging trends are affecting the media scape.

Featuring Katey Shearer, Tricia Shantz, Stu Nettle, Craig Parry, Nick Carroll

Flotsam Festival Media Makers Forum is an initiative of Flotsam Arts Inc