BBFF2024 Winners
The award-winners across all categories in the 2024 Byron Bay International Film Festival were announced last night, bringing the festival’s “enormously successful” 18th year to a close.
Festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said the judges faced their usual challenges, selecting the Best Of from an exceptionally high-quality range of films from Australia and the world.
Story from the LA river wins BBFF Screenplay Competition
The three finalists in the Byron Bay International Film Festival’s 2024 Screenplay Competition all explore different aspects of contemporary society, with the winner, Riverwalk, telling the story of two young runaway brothers forced to survive on the mean streets of Los Angeles.
Meet The Filmmakers - Johnny Abegg
As we approach the Byron Bay Film Festival 2024, excitement builds for the premiere of Fragments of a Half Life, Johnny Abegg's deeply introspective film. In this abstract journey, Abegg explores the profound grief he feels after his father’s death. Rather than drowning in sorrow, he surrenders to the complexity of grief, discovering that through embracing loss, he can live a deeper, more meaningful life. Through his mother’s recounts and his own reflections, Johnny navigates the intricate relationship between father and son, finding solace in life’s impermanence.
Meet The Filmmakers - Sarah Ticho
As we approach the Byron Bay Film Festival 2024, excitement builds for the premiere of Soul Paint, a groundbreaking experience blending immersive technology, creative storytelling, and wellbeing. Through bodymapping, 3D drawing, and movement, participants explore and express emotions and sensations in the body, revealing their inner reality while observing others' creations. Narrated by actor and activist Rosario Dawson, Soul Paint has won awards including Unity for Humanity, StoryFutures XR Connect, and SXSW’s Special Jury Prize.
Meet The Filmmakers - Alan White and Jamie Brisick
As we approach the Byron Bay Film Festival 2024, the excitement mounts for the premiere of The Life & Death of Westerly Windina, a powerful documentary exploring the life of Peter Drouyn, a surfing legend, and his transformative journey into becoming Westerly Windina. Filmmakers Alan White and Jamie Brisick provide insight into the creation of this poignant film.
Behind the Vision: Crafting the Future Council
Known for his impactful documentaries on social and environmental issues, Damon Gameau invites eight children on an epic adventure across Europe in a school bus powered by biofuel. Their mission is to take the conversation from the streets, into the boardrooms of some of the world’s largest polluters and most influential companies.
Unleashing the Black Dog: Behind-the-Scenes Insights into the Production of the Film
Explore the making of 'Black Dog,' a Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard winner. Learn how this cinematic gem weaves its poignant narrative and stunning visuals against the vast backdrop of the Gobi Desert, capturing deep emotional connections across species and situations.
Meet The 10 Young Australian Filmmakers of The Year
Discover the bold and inspiring works of Australia's emerging filmmakers featured in this year's Byron Bay Film Festival's Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year Competition, showcasing a diverse array of themes from alienation to the challenges of youth in contemporary society.
Knepp's Wild Heart: A Story of Environmental Revival
Wilding is a documentary that highlights Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell's radical shift from intensive farming to a thriving ecological sanctuary at their Knepp estate. Nature takes the lead in reviving a devastated landscape, providing powerful insights into the resilience and regenerative potential of the natural world.
Aquarius to open BBFF2024
The Opening Night film at this year’s Byron Bay Film Festival is a feature-length documentary that captures and celebrates a defining event in the history of the Northern Rivers – the 1973 Aquarius Festival.
Engaging Drama Wins BBFF Screenplay Comp
The top four screenplays in Byron Bay Film Festival’s 2023 Screenplay Competition cover four distinct genres – a measure of the breadth of writing talent to be found amongst those writing for the screen.
Overall winner was Dinner at Seven, described by Competition judge, Alex Mankiewicz, as an "engaging drama".
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Leslie Brockett
John’s Robert’s first release of 2023 is a return to pop with his single ‘Danger’, a moody mid-tempo 80’s style bop. The music video offers an exciting landscape filled with pulsating sounds and throbbing rhythm, as well as Robert’s vibrant and signature vocal style that brings the music to life.
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Hadley Perkins
Murphy is on an open road adventure with his love, Murphette, when he finds himself drawn into an infinite pursuit in order to fix his broken down bus. The road is paved, the future is in sight and it’s a race to the finish line.
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Iván Bustinduy
Discover the mystery in ‘Animal Transport’ as a man returns to his job working for a company that transports animals. On his first trip, a cage doesn't seem to be carrying what it should. The mystery lurking in his truck pushes him to the limit of his own sanity.
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Andrew Shaw
The darkness at the edge of a boy’s play threatens to turn him into a beast. ‘Boy/Beast’ delves into the challenging phase in boys' lives when they vigorously test limits to establish their identity. It's a narrative of a boy's anger driving him to discover his voice at any expense, uncovering the hidden grief it shields — a feminine perspective on masculinity at its core.
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Susie Forster
Discover the moving story of Lee Stephenson, an 82-year-old artist, and her dying wish to spend her last days at home. Her daughter, Susie, captures this emotional journey as the family unites to fulfil Lee's wish. With COVID-19 restrictions adding complexity, the documentary reveals the power of love and determination in honouring Lee's final desire.
BBFF2023 Meet the Filmmaker: Kym Staton
The gripping story of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks controversy, this powerful documentary directed by Kym Staton, takes you on a global journey of truth, exposing government secrets, personal sacrifice, and the battle for press freedom.
Edge of Nature World Premiere Opens BBFF2023
The World Premiere of The Edge of Nature by Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning filmmaker Josh Fox is the Opening Night Film at the Byron Bay Film Festival at Byron Palace Cinemas on October 20.
Miriam Margolyes to judge BBFF2023 docs
Well-loved film and television actor Miriam Margolyes is to be a judge in the Best Documentary category at the Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) in October.