The 2025 Noosa International Surfilm Festival rolled in like a perfect set, captivating audiences of all ages with four days of world-class surf cinema and storytelling.
With a near full house on Saturday night and smooth sailing across the entire program, this year’s event exceeded expectations.
Festival director Jesca Maas noted the diverse turnout, saying, “It was amazing to see people of all ages coming together, especially with more young people in the audience this year. That multi-generational energy is what makes this festival so special.”
Audiences were captivated by the range and quality of films on offer. From stunning cinematography to powerful storytelling, feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
The international scope of the films was especially noted—not just through the filmmakers themselves, but the journeys their stories took audiences on.
“We travelled the globe in four days,” Jesca said. “It truly was an international experience.”
Blakboi’s live performance, a brilliant father and son duo set a soulful tone for the screenings, while the introduction of GromShorts, a competition for filmmakers under 18, brought an extra spark of excitement.
Two finalists were showcased on Saturday night:
– First Prize: Heirloom by 11-year-old Hunter Williams
– Second Prize: Where the Girls Are by 16-year-old Zion Poy
Filmmakers praised the event as not only inspiring but deeply welcoming.
Hosted in stunning Noosa accommodation, treated to buffet breakfasts, a river cruise, and a special filmmakers’ lunch with the judges, the visiting creatives said they felt “completely spoilt.”
But it was the opportunity to build connections and share stories that made the biggest impact.
A Filmmakers’ Forum held on Sunday in the heritage-listed Halse Lodge lounge further opened the space for collaboration and learning, especially for local talents like Samuel Fairbank, who moderated the session and made meaningful connections with international peers as well emerging talent Joel Bryant, filmmaker of the much-loved Flowing Wood which had its global premiere at the festival.
2025 Award Winners
The festival’s standout films were honoured with the following awards:
– Best Short Film (The Event Artisan Award): Let Me Live – Keith Malloy (USA)
– Best Mid-Length Film (Your Digital Team Award): Dreading South – Mat Ireland (AUS)
– Best Cinematography (Suter Smith Cleine Award): Creatures of Habit – Nate Laverty (CAN)
– Best Feature Film (NAB Award): The Big Sea – Lewis Arnold (UK)
Festival highlights included The Big Sea for its powerful message on neoprene and environmental impact, Letter from Antarctica for its breathtaking visuals, and Dreading South for its humour and heart and Creatures of Habit for the cinematography, outstanding surf and soundtrack.
Each winner received a stunning, handcrafted trophy made by local artist and sculptor Erika Mayer, a beautiful representation of the region’s creative talent.
At its core, the Noosa International Surfilm Festival is about more than just films.
“It’s the ripple effect,” Jesca said. “These films create connection, spark ideas, and start conversations that continue long after the credits roll.”
The festival closed with a laid-back yet vibrant After Party at Halse Lodge, complete with an exclusive exhibition of works by surf photographer Paul Smith, vibing tunes by Mario, and surf culture chats that rolled well into the evening.
A special moment came with the arrival of UK-based filmmaker Lewis Arnold, who flew in for the Special Preview of The Big Sea. His firsthand account of filming in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley left a lasting impression and was widely regarded as one of the festival’s most moving moments.
With fresh energy and momentum, plans for 2026 are already underway.
“We’re dreaming even bigger for next year,” Jesca said. “There’s something super powerful happening here.”
Film and photography across the festival were captured by Misha Robb Maas and Walk And See Media, helping to tell the story of the weekend with beautiful visuals and behind-the-scenes insight.
