The 13th annual Surfalorus Film Festival takes place September 16-18, 2024 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This three-day celebration showcases the year's best surf films and takes place during the ESA Eastern Surfing Championship. Surfalorus shares great surf movies from award winning veterans to first-time filmmakers in a supportive and laid-back atmosphere. The festival's primary venue, Jennette's Pier, looks over one of the best breaks on the East Coast. Each evening begins with some tasty beverages, a few snacks, and some live music from notable East Coast bands. Surfalorus is presented by North Carolina Aquariums and is a partnership between Cucalorus and Dare Arts.

Visiting filmmakers and VIP passholders can take advantage of a schedule of exclusive events like hang-gliding at Jockey's Ridge and an underwater camera workshop at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Filmmakers get free housing and travel funding.

Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Soundtrack
Best Cinematography
Emerging Filmmaker Award

Surfalorus accepts surf films and other ocean-themed works by filmmakers of all backgrounds. All films must be OBX premieres to qualify. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact dan@cucalorus.org.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Collins Reagan

    Surfalorus is a delightful, beachy, friendly, fun and yet professional small film festival. So glad our documentary for this year had a surf theme so we could be a part of this warm, playful, and unique festival. Five stars.

    September 2023
  • Alexandre Ribas

    What a great fest. Happy to be part of it again.

    October 2022
  • Laurel Senick

    As a filmmaker, I can say that Surfalorus values the heart and soul of filmmaking. By coordinating a filmmakers stay and financially assisting their travel Surfalorus shows they know the sacrifices filmmmakers make, especially independent ones, to create their art. Surfalorus provided an amazing venue at an optimum time so that I could share my surf film with the best possible audience. Thank you Surfalorus!

    September 2022
  • Michel Garcia

    Un super festival! Une excellente communication vis à vis des filmmakers et un vrai plaisir de partager la passion du surf autour de films venant du monde entier. Je recommande!

    September 2020
  • Lizzie Bankowski

    Surfalorus has all of the creative soul-feeding energy of a film festival with the easy going feel of being in the best place in the world—the OBX. If you love Cucalorus and the water, this one is for you. Beach during the day, awesome collection of films and people in the evening. So glad I could be a part of it this year!

    September 2019