Byron Bay Film Festival Joins AACTA Festival for Exclusive Panel on Film Festival Success

The Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) is teaming up with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) to present a must-attend panel discussion: “Winning Over Australian Festivals: From Submission to Screen.”

Part of the 2025 AACTA Festival, this exclusive event will take place on Thursday, February 6th at 11:30 AM at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast.

This is a golden opportunity for emerging filmmakers and industry professionals to gain insider knowledge on what it takes to get their films selected for Australia’s top film festivals. BBFF Festival Director J’aimeeSkippon-Volke will lead the discussion, joined by some of the country’s most influential festival programmers: Al Cossar (Melbourne International FilmFestival), Nuala O’Halloran (Gold Coast Film Festival), and Greg Dolgopolov (Vision Splendid Film Festival). Together, they’ll share expert insights into the ever-evolving festival landscape and what makes a film stand out from submission to screen.

“With BBFF’s 20th anniversary on the horizon in 2026, it’s an honour to collaborate with AACTA and be part of an event that celebrates Australian screen culture on such a grand scale,” said J’aimee.

The AACTA Festival, running from February 5 to 9, is Australia’s premier celebration of film and television, featuring exclusive screenings, industry networking events, music, and special appearances by screen legends. This year’s AACTA Awards Ceremony will be hosted by Russell Crowe, with performances by Robbie Williams and an all-star lineup of presenters, including Henry Cavill, Guy Pearce, Leah Purcell, and Dr. George Miller.

Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker or an experienced professional, this is your chance to get behind the scenes of the festival circuit and take your film career to the next level. Join BBFF at HOTA on February 6th and be part of the

conversation.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Don’t miss out - get your ticket here.