Noosa International Surffilm Festival unveils it’s biggest program yet for 2026

News supplied:

21 films. 14 countries. 12 Australian Premieres. Two Queensland Premieres. Four unforgettable days of surf and ocean storytelling in Noosa.

Fresh from its official program launch at Thursday night's special screening of Paul Witzig's newly remastered surf classic All Down The Line, the Noosa International Surfilm Festival (NISFF) has unveiled its biggest and most diverse program yet.

From 13–16 August 2026, audiences will experience four days of inspiring surf and ocean stories from around the globe, screening across The J Theatre and Noosa Event Cinemas.

This year's festival features 21 films from 14 countries, including 12 Australian Premieres and two Queensland Premieres, alongside live filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions and surf culture forums. Together, the program celebrates adventure, environmental stewardship, resilience, community and the universal connection between people and the ocean.

Festival Director Jesca Maas said the enthusiastic response to Thursday night's program launch reflected the growing appetite for meaningful surf and ocean storytelling.

"Launching the festival program in front of a live audience reminded us exactly why these stories matter. This year's program takes audiences from Patagonia to Senegal, from Gaza to Hawai'i, from Japan to South Africa. They go far beyond surfing. They explore who we are, how we connect with nature and each other, and the incredible diversity of cultures shaped by the ocean."

Opening Night on Thursday 13 August at The J Theatre launches the festival with Beyond Borders Patagonia, an Australian feature following filmmakers and surfers deep into Chile’s wild frontiers in search of undiscovered waves and mountains. The evening also includes the historic documentary Finding San Nicolas, featuring never-before-seen Super 8 footage filmed over 50 years ago, alongside French short Tides of Time and the West Australian surf adventure DUST.

Friday night’s Courage & Persistence session features the Australian Premiere of Finding True North, documenting quadruple amputee surfer Josh Bogle’s extraordinary journey of recovery and purpose through adaptive surfing in Hawai‘i. Audiences will also enjoy Beehives & Bottom Turns, exploring the connection between beekeeping, climate and surfing, before the highly anticipated Noosa screening of Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC, tracing the global music icon’s roots in surf filmmaking and ocean culture.

A major highlight of the 2026 festival is Women in Surf on Saturday afternoon, showcasing films by and about female surfers, filmmakers and ocean advocates from around the world. The session includes stories of mentorship, Indigenous connection to sea Country, surfing in Gaza, and women breaking barriers in the surf world. A post-screening panel discussion will bring filmmakers and surf voices together to discuss representation and the future of women in surf culture.

Saturday evening concludes with the Australian Premiere of Niokobokk, an 8,000-kilometre cycling and surfing odyssey from France to Senegal, accompanied by films exploring coastal stewardship, community and traditional craftsmanship from South Africa, Australia and Japan.

New for 2026 is a Saturday morning Surf Culture & Filmmaker Forum, providing audiences, aspiring creatives and surf enthusiasts with behind-the-scenes insights into surf filmmaking and storytelling.

The festival closes on Sunday 16 August with Australian Dream, a feature documentary following six underdog Portuguese surfers chasing success at Australia’s most iconic surfing championship. Additional short films and special guest conversations will complete the festival finale.

Celebrating Excellence in Surf Storytelling

The festival will once again present its annual NISFF Awards, recognising excellence in surf and ocean filmmaking across categories including Best Feature Film, Best Mid-Length Film, Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack/Score, Best Emerging Filmmaker, Best Female Director, and the new festival award, Waves of Change, celebrating stories that inspire positive action for people and planet.

Guiding the selection process is an esteemed panel of judges drawn from the worlds of filmmaking, surfing and media. The 2026 judging panel includes acclaimed surf writer Tim Baker, filmmaker Spencer Frost, inspiring storyteller and filmmaker Lauren Hill, surfer and producer Laure Mayer, filmmaker Jolyon Hoff, filmmaker and surfer Pacha Light, legendary filmmaker Dick Hoole, surfer Peppie Simpson, surfer and filmmaker Tom Wegener, surfer Dylan MacLeod, and filmmaker Mick Sowry.

"Our judges bring decades of experience across filmmaking, surfing, journalism and visual storytelling. Their expertise ensures the awards recognise not only cinematic excellence, but also stories that create genuine cultural, humanitarian and environmental impact," said Maas.

Special guests expected to attend across the festival include film producer, surf champion and Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve President Andrew MacKinnon; Jed James Fasso, director of opening night feature Beyond Borders Patagonia; Laure Mayer and Clementine Bourke from WA surf comic travelogue DUST; beekeeper and surfer Tom from Beehives & Bottom Turns; members of the Wahine Waveriders filmmaking team and filmmaker Tiago de Carvalho, director of Australian Dream; Additional filmmakers and special guests will be announced closer to the festival.

Every screening session includes live Q&As hosted by acclaimed surf writer Tim Baker, featuring filmmakers, athletes and special guests sharing stories from behind the lens and beyond the waves.

Now in its continued growth phase, NISFF remains committed to its vision of showcasing surf and ocean stories that inspire and connect cultures.

"Surf films are uniquely powerful because they invite us to experience landscapes, communities and ways of life we may never otherwise encounter. Through these stories, we celebrate our shared connection to the ocean and to each other," said Maas.

Maas also acknowledged the festival's partners, whose support helps make the event possible.

"We're incredibly grateful to our partners for believing in the festival and the stories we bring to Noosa each year. Our sincere thanks to all our partners, and particularly Screen Queensland, Noosa Council, Cricks Noosa Subaru, Your Digital Team, Smorgasboarder Magazine and Sea FM for their ongoing support of independent surf and ocean storytelling."

Following the successful program launch, tickets are now on sale for all festival sessions.

The 2026 Noosa International Surfilm Festival runs from 13–16 August 2026.

Full program and tickets are available at www.nisff.com.au