Solento Surf Festival

Now, following Solento’s successful Australian launch in April last year, the festival is set to make its Gold Coast debut, embracing the region’s rich surf culture and creative energy.

Taylor Steele, announced the Solento Surf Festival will be held on the Gold Coast, QLD starting Saturday 7th through to Saturday 14th June 2025.

Curated by Solento founder + filmmaker Taylor Steele, the local eight-day Solento Surf Festival will be a one-of-a-kind experience showcasing some of today’s most captivating films, exclusive world premieres, and conversations with celebrated world class athletes and filmmakers. The Festival will also host a beach takeover / surf comp, art gallery and world class music acts.

“The idea of the Solento Surf Festival is to bring the Gold Coast community together to share stories and culture inspired by surfing. I’ve been lucky enough to experience pretty much every surf film festival from around the world, and I’m excited to help bring the Solento Surf Festival to one of my favorite places in the world,” said Taylor Steele, Solento Founder.

Taking place in the Gold Coast and inspired by Taylor’s formative years in the surf and film industry, the festival will provide a glimpse into Solento’s ‘slow’ culture and surf-centric lifestyle.

SSF is supported by the local Burleigh community and businesses, as well as brand partners including Experience Gold Coast, Mondrian Gold Coast, United Airlines, Vissla, and Yeti.

The first weekend will feature a community surf contest at Burleigh Headland on Saturday 7-June, with locals having the opportunity to take on pro surfers. Held on Burleigh Hill, there will also be live music, a pop-up beach bar and food vendors.

Steele will host a filmmaking masterclass at HOTA, Home of the Arts on 9-June, where attendees will gain industry insight, all things cinema including storyboarding, production, distribution, and post-production. HOTA will also play home to the Solento Surf Festival art exhibit with works from Otis Carey, David Bromly, Jai Vasicek and more on 10-29 June.

The final weekend of the festival (12–14 June) will be dedicated to surf films, panel discussions, and live performances hosted at the Mondrian Gold Coast.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Mondrian to bring some of the best new surf films to the big screen. Nowadays we consume so much content on our phones and by ourselves. Having an elevated environment to connect with the community and celebrate surfing means so much,” added Taylor Seele.

“What a coup to secure this incredible surf festival which underscores the rich history of surfing as a sport,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. “Apart from an epic day of competition at Burleigh, the festival will draw crowds to film screenings, live music and masterclasses.” “With that in mind, it’s only appropriate our city has been chosen as the first destination outside the United States to host Solento. We are the spiritual home of surfing in Australia.’’

Solento Surf Festival is proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said there’s no better place than the Gold Coast for a festival that celebrates surf culture, while blending film, music, and community. “Solento Surf Festival is an exciting opportunity for locals and visitors to come together and share their passion for the waves,” Mr. Warn said. “With our world-renowned surf breaks and our city’s evolving arts scene, this festival reinforces our reputation as a hub for surfers, creatives, and ocean lovers alike while showcasing our iconic beaches and arts precinct at HOTA, Home of the Arts.”

Solento Organic Tequila was founded by Steele in the U.S. in 2019, Solento Organic Tequila has become a globally recognised brand, championing the art of slowing down and being present. Steele is renowned for his iconic surf films; including Proximity (2016), This Time Tomorrow (2012) Hit & Run (2000), Missing (2013), and TV mini-series Save This Shark (2020), Nature Is Speaking (2021-23).