SURF FILMS
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WALKABOUT: THE SONGLINES OF SURFING + Q&A
NSW Premiere
Palace Byron Bay - Sunday 20 7:30pm
Two decades after their original adventure together, Robbie and Arnaud are set to meet up again. Arnaud surprises Robbie at the National Aboriginal Surfing Championships at Bells Beach and together, they embark on a new road trip, in search of waves, community and connection to Country.
Directed by Matty Hannon (BBFF2022 Best Film ROAD TO PATAGONIA) WALKABOUT screens with FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LIFE
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THE LIFE & DEATH OF WESTERLY WINDINA + Q&A
World Premiere
Palace Byron Bay - Saturday 19 7:30pm
Brunswick Picture House - Sunday 27 6:30pm
In 2008, years after nearly drowning in a traumatic and life-changing surfing accident, Drouyn suddenly resurfaced by coming out as a trans woman on national television. Her new name, she said, was Westerly Windina. “It was a supernova,” Westerly said of her gender awakening. “It just kicked in one night, and suddenly Peter went; Westerly was there.”
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YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE YESTERDAY + Q&A
Byron Premiere
Palace Byron Bay - Thursday 24 7pm
Lennox Cultural Centre - Friday 25 at 7:30pm
You Should Have Been Here Yesterday merges hundreds of hours of meticulously restored 16mm footage, found in the garages and dusty cupboards of our pioneering surf filmmakers, with a salt-infused soundscape by Headland, enriched by insights from Australian Surfing’s Gurus, Outsider Artists, and Intuitives. This film explores the story of a vibrant community who journeyed up the coast, discovering a novel way of life. By delving into previously unseen camera reels, it seeks to uncover our origins and the essence of who we are.
Short Surf Films
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![Beneath The Wake]()
Beneath The Wake
World Premiere
Brunswick Picture House
Sunday 27nd 6:30pm with The Life & Death of Westerly Windina
An Ode to the Ocean as told by a long time ocean lover Logan. The Short Doco is a poetic tribute to Logan's journey with his mental heath and his deep connection to the water.
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![The Book of Hunter]()
Book of Hunter
NSW Premiere
Palace Byron Bay
Saturday 19th at 7:30pm with The Life & Death of Westerly Windina
A 9 year old surfer's unique perspective on the world breathes new life into the fabled Noosa surfing community.
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End of the Road
International Premiere
Lennox Cultural Centre - Friday 25 7:30pm with You Should Have Been Here Yesterday
A glimpse into renowned underwater photographer Ben Thouard's daring dives beneath towering waves, capturing both the breathtaking beauty of his photographs and the supportive community that surrounds him leading up to the debut of surfing in the 2024 Olympics.
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![Hidden in Plain Sight]()
Hidden in Plain Sight
Australian Premiere
Palace Byron Bay
Sunday 20 at 12:45pm with Fungi: Web of Life
Set off the rugged west coast of Ireland, ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ delves into the mysterious world of an offshore reef shrouded in ancient folklore. Local legend tells of a lost city submerged beneath the waves, said to resurface every seven years.
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![Presence]()
Presence
Australian Premiere
Palace Byron Bay
Sunday 20 at 7:30pm with Fragments of a Half-Life & Walkabout: The Songlines of Surfing
Presence narrates the journey of Thati, a woman determined to overcome her anxiety attacks through surfing. She finds refuge in the waves, where the surfboard becomes her ally and personal therapy.
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![Saeluhus/House Of Bliss]()
Saeluhus/House Of Bliss
NSW Premiere
Palace Byron Bay
Thursday 24 at 7pm with You Should Have Been Here Yesterday
House of Bliss documents the making of a shelter situated somewhere on the border of reality and imagination. A private world of contemplation and quiet relief from the outside world.
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![Vinicius]()
Vinicius
BBFF SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Vinicius follows the untold story of Brazilian big wave surfer, Vini dos Santos, who allegedly surfed a 97-foot wave in Nazaré in 2022. From the shores of Brazil to the giant waves of Portugal, Vini recounts his surfing journey, the challenges, the injuries and the accomplishments that all lead up to the moment he would catch the biggest wave of his life.
SURF & SKATE CULTURE
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ART & LIFE: THE STORY OF JOHN PHILLIPS
Australian Premiere
Lennox Head Cultural Centre - Sunday 27 6:30pm
A pioneer of graphic art, Jim Phillips, known for his bold and visceral imagery, has left an indelible mark on the world of rock posters, surf, and skateboard art. Drawing inspiration from his life in Santa Cruz, California, Jim's journey from publishing his first artwork in Surfer Quarterly in 1962 to becoming the art director for Santa Cruz Skateboards, shaped the golden era of skateboarding.
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WASHED AWAY + Q&A
World Premiere
Lennox Head Cultural Centre - Saturday 26 7pm
This film captures the profound resilience and unity of communities during Australia's most catastrophic flood. Amidst the chaos, surfer Mick Fanning and others, including those with helicopters, jetskis, and boats, swiftly mobilized to rescue stranded individuals.