Flotsam Festival is run by Flotsam Arts Inc, a not-for-profit association that aims to create opportunities for surf and ocean-inspired photographers and filmmakers to showcase their work, develop skills, and experiment with new income streams. In 2024 the festival will expand to two weeks, running 1-12 May.
For photographers, there are opportunities for those with works already printed, as well as those who only have work in digital form. Some collections, like our Focal Point Exhibition, attract a reprint fee. Other events, like Canisters, pay proceeds from tickets. For solo exhibitions and group shows, works can be for sale. All exhibited artists will have a QR code that will link back to your bio on our site that can include anything you’d like people to see – things like your website, socials or print shop.
Films included in the festival program are paid a screening fee, or if entering a short film comp are eligible for prizes and other rewards.
Here are the main openings:
Do you have a surf film you’d like to screen during the festival?
Submit: Please send us an email We’ve also opened submissions on Film Freeway, so there’s also a rundown on how filmmakers can the festival here: Film Freeway
We will also run a short film comp, entries opening soon.
Do you want to stage a solo photography exhibition?
If you have an exceptionally strong existing body of printed or digital works that relate to the surf/sea theme, we have secured venues across the coast that may be able to accommodate them.
Submit: email for consideration send us dimensions of your printed/framed or mounted work + a low res version of images with ‘Solo Exhibition’ in the subject header.
Do you have iconic local images?
We’ll be staging the Flotsam Focal Point photo trail again in 2024.
Flotsam Photo Trail: in between the installations of the existing focal point exhibit, we are aiming to produce a fence line exhibition traversing sections of Kirra point, Coolangatta beachfront, Greenmount headland, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Point Danger lookout. Various locations, Coolangatta.
To submit for either: email us low res versions of images you’d like considered for inclusion with ‘Focal Point’ in the subject header. Please note- must be shot at either Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks or D’bah
Do you have existing printed works that relate to the surf/sea theme to contribute to a group exhibition?
We will be hosting Flotsam’s ‘Canisters’ Exhibition of analogue film images for an event + exhibition that will remain onsite for the whole of the festival.
Submit: for consideration email us dimensions of your printed/framed or mounted work + a low res version of images printed with ‘ Canisters Group Exhibition’ in the subject header.
Do you have photos of a surf road trip?
We will hold a road trip themed exhibition in 2024, focusing on the search that is always behind a good surf trip.
Submit: email us a low res version or link to view film or images you’d like considered for inclusion with “Road Trip”’ in the subject header.
Are you a photographer/filmmaker with work that could be classified as activist or eco awareness orientated ocean images/film?
We’ll be staging a Flotsam x Climate Community Night: digital exhibition of ocean-activism photography w/ panel exploring images and their meaning.
Submit: email us a low res version or link to view film or images you’d like considered for inclusion with “Climate Night’ in the subject header.
Are you a female filmmaker or photographer?
We will again be hosting an event with room for panellists, photo slideshows and film from female surf-centric creators.
Submit: email us a low res version or link to view film or images you’d like considered for inclusion with ‘SG’ in the subject header.
Do you want to host a film or photo related workshop?
Last year’s festival featured ticketed photography master classes, free youth workshops, ticketed outdoor filming classes, and free photo meetups. We have several workshops already planned but may have capacity to stage more, with payment arrangements depending on the size/capacity of class.
Submit: email us a brief overview of your background + the workshop you’d like considered for inclusion with ‘Workshop’ in the subject header.
Are you a filmmaker, photographer under the age of 25?
Flotsam 2024 will hold a youth focussed event called Next Wave. Pairing live music with ocean themed short film and photography, we will see a celebration of our up and coming creatives in the region.
Submit: email us a low res version or link to view film or images you’d like considered for inclusion with ‘Next Wave’ in the subject header.
Alternatively there is a youth specific category in both the film and photography components of the competition.
Are you a musician?
We will be activating spaces with live music throughout the course of the festival. Whether you are a band, acoustic artist or DJ we may have a place for you within the festival.
Submit: For consideration please send us an email with links to your music, socials and live footage.
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