The 2019 Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) came to a spectacular close with the announcement of the winners of the BBFF Best Film Awards. The event, now in its 13th Year, attracted entries from all over the globe. BBFF Director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said: “Whilst our programme featured a number of the strongest Australian titles to
Australian writer, James Mayson has won the 2019 Byron Bay Film Festival Screenplay Contest for his screenplay entitled FEAR SUM. The screenplay, which won the $1500 US prize money, plus the latest screenwriting software from Final Draft, tells the story of a quiz show writer in midlife crisis who has his world upended when his
Roots troubadour Michael Franti’s film Stay Human opens the Byron Bay Film Festival this year, kicking off a feast of vision – and sound – that keeps the audience’s blood pumping for the 10-day fiesta. The range of music-based films throughout the festival means there is something for everyone. From the sublime compositions of synth-pop
By Digby Hildreth Forgiveness is not a quality you might expect to come across in the brutal war zones of Afghanistan – but it is the theme of Bangalow filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour’s feature drama, Jirga, which is set there. Jirga is the Pashto word for the council of elders that constitutes the law in Afghanistan
By Digby Hildreth Surfers, like musicians, speak a universal language, the language, or melody, of the ocean – Big Wata, as it is called in Sierra Leone. A film of that name, Big Wata, is a stand-out feature in Byron Bay Film Festival’s annual showcasing of surf films. In its opening scene, young men in
Local filmmaking talent: a crowded field This Saturday’s Spotlight on Byron features the impressive work of four Byron Bay locals. Films made by four other filmmakers based in and around Byron Shire have already screened at the festival – an indication of the depth and range of creative talent residing in the area. Many
#FROCKUPBYRON Byron Bay Film Festival 6 – 15 October 2017 We like to party! The 11th Annual Byron Bay Film Festival is in full swing and the buzz is amazing! Amongst sold-out sessions, rave reviews, and a plethora of experiences from educational beach action events with the award-winning BLUE filmmakers, impromptu street promo
Films for thought: exploring mental health at BBFF With 1 in 5 Australians affected by mental illness, World Mental Health Day aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide. Taking place on October 10, the day brings to the forefront conversations on mental health in order to change the perspectives and stigma
Showcasing First Nations Film is one of the great mediums for connecting us to story and culture. Both are vital elements in many indigenous communities, and we love having the opportunity to use film to bring otherwise untold stories to our audience in celebration of global diversity and connection. Byron Bay Film Festival is proud
Turning grey to green for a rooftop bee ‘n’ bee Thinking outside of the box is one thing, but when it comes to combating the decline of the bee – the miracle insect that enables one third of the world’s food to grow – maybe outside of the ground is the answer, reports Gail
