WALKABOUT: THE SONGLINES OF SURFING This adventure began 20 years ago. At the age of 19, young Arnaud Mestelan left home to embark on his first solo surf trip. On the platform at the train station in Biarritz, he met Robbie Page, an Australian pro surfer. With his 10 years on the ASP Tour and his Pipe Masters title in 1988, Robbie was a surfing legend. At the time, he was living in France and was on his way home to Australia. After a few minutes chatting together, Robbie offered to take Arnaud with him on his trip. The two new friends spent more than three weeks together, surfing across New South Wales, before Arnaud set off on his own journey. Today, Arnaud is in his forties, has 3 children and runs the Aux Guides Baigneurs’ shop at Biarritz's Grande Plage. Since they met, Arnaud has always had the dream of one day returning to Australia to meet up with his buddy Robbie. Two decades after their original adventure together, Robbie and Arnaud are set to meet up again. Arnaud surprises Robbie at the National Aboriginal Surfing Championships at Bells Beach and together, they embark on a new road trip, in search of waves, community and connection to Country. Produced by OXBOW and directed by Matty Hannon (Road to Patagonia BBFF2022’s Best Film) Screens with FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LIFE An introspective documentary that explores the profound journey of grief following the loss of a father. Through the narrative lens of filmmaker Johnny Abegg, the film intertwines his personal voyage into the depths of sorrow with his mother's poignant recollections of the life his father led—a life Johnny never fully knew. Set against the rugged backdrop of Lutruwita/Tasmania, the documentary captures Johnny’s emotional and geographical journey as he seeks to understand and connect with his father’s legacy. Through moments of deep introspection and the harsh wilderness around him, Johnny emerges with a renewed understanding of where to find his father's presence in his life. A reflective and emotionally rich exploration of the connections that transcend absence, crafted by a filmmaker deeply committed to personal and environmental resilience. - World Premiere