Mark your diaries for the 13th Byron Bay International Film Festival

With just weeks to go until the Byron Bay International Film Festival’s Red Carpet GalaOpening, excitement is mounting over the stunning selection of dramas, documentaries,short films, workshops and virtual reality experiences on offer.Held in the picture-perfect beach town of Byron Bay, the 10-day festival is a cinematicexperience not to be missed. Narrowing the line-up down from 1000 submissions,organisers place an emphasis on content that raises social, cultural and environmentalawareness. Plus, there is a whole event dedicated to innovation, showcasing films that useVR technology to immerse audiences in unseen worlds and allowing them to dream withtheir eyes open.Actors, directors and film producers travel from around the world to participate in this fiestaof ideas, networking and screenings of their films. This year there is an impressive array ofcinematic spectacles, ranging from short films made by talented members of the localcommunity to some of the strongest international films on the circuit. There are World andAustralian premieres aplenty - and something for all to enjoy.“This year is bigger than ever, with over 70 public screenings,” says Festival DirectorJ’aimee Skippon-Volke. “Palace Cinema will really up the glam-factor at the opening RedCarpet Gala event, while for the first time ever the iconic Beach Hotel will host our MusicVideo showcase in their new Green Room.“We’ve got even more venues than last year helping to create an exciting, vibrant and Byronfestival experience.”And patrons can expect to be well and truly taken into the magical world of the film industry.“The festival is about so much more than films… there is the opportunity to meet thefilmmakers and talent from both sides of the camera. We also create multiple events for thepublic to create connections and rub shoulders with the film crowd,” J’aimee says.Whatever the occasion, whoever the company, there’s something to spark your interest.“We’ve created sessions which parents can bring their kids to, encouraging the nextgeneration of filmmakers and cinephiles. Look out for family features like H is for Happiness.Looking for a little more depth? We will deliver the risqué, the shocking and the trulyinspiring.”BBFF2019 runs from October 18-27 at Byron Palace, Byron Community Centre, Pighouse Flicks, Brunswick Picture House and the Regent Cinema, Murwillumbah.