A Long Road to Tao: A Quiet Tribute to Love, Loss, and Consciousness

At MERGE4, we love spotlighting meaningful, creative projects from our extended team—especially when they dig deep and tell stories that stick with you long after the credits roll. A Long Road to Tao is one of those stories.

Inspired by the book Tao of Surfing: Finding Depth at Low Tide, this film follows the true story of two best friends—Dayne and Lance—whose paths mysteriously diverge, only to reconnect when Dayne discovers that Lance is dying of AIDS. What unfolds is a poignant, ocean-soaked journey of reconnection, spiritual awakening, and ultimate acceptance.

It’s a quiet, powerful reminder that love—real love—doesn’t always need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it just flows.

Premiering on June 19th as part of Storietv’s official launch (with a special screening in Los Angeles), A Long Road to Tao invites viewers to dive into a story that explores identity, grief, friendship, and the transformative power of nature. Storietv is a new, interactive streaming platform that makes film watching a shared experience—think watch parties, live text feeds, and shareable film moments.

🎬 Watch the premiere on Storietv: 
📍 Los Angeles Screening: Saturday, June 21st at the Marina del Rey Film Festival
📽️ Venue: The Culver Theater, Culver City – state-of-the-art Dolby sound and visuals
🎟️ Festival Info | Venue Info

We're honored to highlight this film during Pride Month—a time to reflect on love, identity, and the courage it takes to show up for someone when it matters most. Subtle but soul-stirring, A Long Road to Tao is a celebration of what it means to be human.

– MERGE4