TheFox_04.jpg
Group photos at a film festival, featuring various individuals and couples posing on a red carpet and in front of a backdrop with a festival logo.
A collage of various food and drink items at a social gathering, including three glasses of beer, a bottle of wine, a platter of assorted sushi and sashimi, bottles of gin, and bottles of flavored soda or lemonade.
THE FOX POSTER.jpg
TheFox_01.jpg
TheFox_02.jpg
TheFox_04.jpg
TheFox_03.jpg

BBFF2026 OPENING NIGHT

A Night 20 Years In The Making!

Friday 16 October 6:30pm

Step into the spotlight at the 20th Byron Bay International Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala - a celebration of cinema, style and community. Dress to impress (or express!) and make an entrance on the red carpet as we raise a toast to the filmmakers and stories that define BBFF2026.

The night begins with a Red Carpet Reception, where you’ll mingle with many of the talented filmmakers and on-screen talent featured across this year’s lineup before watching The Fox.

The evening unfolds in style with flowing conversation, fine drinks and vibrant live music. You’ll enjoy premium pours from Bimbadgen Estate, BBFF’s Official Wine Partner, alongside refreshing brews, exceptional coastal aperitifs from Papa Salt Coastal Gin and Fever-Tree mixers - and quality mocktails for your designated driver.

These are beautifully paired with Tokyo Doll’s signature Japanese-fusion delicacies - a culinary prelude to the 8:00pm screening of our Opening Night film.

The Celebration Continues Downstairs - After-Party at Tokyo Doll with a DJ on the decks, and the large karaoke booth open for those who want to end Opening Night on a high note and as The Fox sure to spark spirited conversation, the after-party offers a stylish space to connect, debate, and keep the Opening Night momentum going.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOX

Opening Night always sells out - don’t miss your chance to be part of Byron’s biggest night in film.

Be part of the buzz that launches 10 days of bold cinema, creative connection, and unforgettable experiences.

BOOK NOW

Past Opening Night Photos

BBFF-20251017-173950-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-180124-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-182936-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-180007-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-173909-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-174834-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-180328-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-174337-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-171401-KurtPetersen-2 - Copy.jpg
BBFF-20251017-173658-KurtPetersen.jpg
BBFF-20251017-174153-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
BBFF-20251017-173358-KurtPetersen.jpg
BBFF-20251017-182353-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
IMG_5523-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
A blue bottle labeled 'PAPA SALT Coastal Gin' with a black pour spout on top, placed on a counter with various jars and a tray of green herbs or leaves in the background.
BBFF2025_Opening Tokyo Doll Food_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
BBFF-20251017-174612-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
IMG_5462-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5452-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5432-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
BBFF-20251017-180401-KurtPetersen-2.jpg
IMG_5413-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5429-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5400-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5408-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5410-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5383-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
IMG_5525-TaniaAmills.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening Pre-Party3_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening Partner Heads GB_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
IMG_5576-TaniaAm - Copy.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening Singer_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
BBFF-20251017-210407-KurtPetersen.jpg
BBFF-20251017-205402-KurtPetersen.jpg
BBFF-20251017-214754-KurtPetersen.jpg
BBFF2025_After Party TD75 copy.jpg
BBFF2025_After Party TD77_Lyn McCarthy copy.jpg
BBFF2025_After Party TD78_Lyn McCarthy copy.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening Party TD_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening Party TD2_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
BBFF2025_Opening_TD party2_Lyn McCarthy.jpg
Sign for the Byron Bay International Film Festival featuring a stylized eye logo and illuminated background, surrounded by potted tropical plants.
BBFF-20251017-222816-KurtPetersen.jpg
Illuminated sign reading 'PALACE CINEMAS' with a silhouette of a figure playing a golf club and a shield, mounted on a wooden wall inside a building.
Group of six people at a social gathering, holding glasses of champagne, smiling, in a warmly lit indoor setting with wooden walls and decorative plants.
A woman in a gold sequin dress holds a champagne glass and a champagne bottle, smiling at the camera at a celebration or party.
An older woman with blonde hair at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, wearing a shiny blue dress, holding a white handbag, with jewelry, and purple high heels, standing on a red carpet in front of a black backdrop with festival logos.
A musician playing an electric guitar on a small stage in a dimly lit room with purple and yellow lighting. There are posters for the Byron Bay International Film Festival on either side of the stage, with a patterned rug beneath the musician and a s
Person preparing a variety of salads and bread at a food table during a gathering, with two elderly men seated in the background.
Two women posing for a photo at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, with a person in the foreground taking their picture. The women are wearing colorful outfits and sunglasses and are standing in front of a black backdrop with the festival's l
Three people standing on a red carpet at the Byron Bay International Film Festival. The person on the left is wearing a blue dress and purple shoes. The person in the middle has a long gray beard, wears a black jacket and black shirt. The person on t
Three people smiling and embracing each other at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, with a dark backdrop featuring festival logos.
Two women smiling and posing at an event with a backdrop that reads Byron Bay International Film Festival.
Two women posing together at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, with a dark background displaying event logos. One woman is older with gray hair, wearing a black jacket and blue patterned shirt. The other woman is younger with blonde hair, we
Man with brown hair and beard wearing a black velvet blazer, patterned shirt, and beaded necklace, standing in front of a black backdrop.
Four people smiling and posing for a photo at a social event, with warm lighting and a wooden interior in the background.
Two elderly people, a woman with long white hair and glasses and a man with long white hair and a beard, standing on a red carpet at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, smiling for a photo against a black backdrop.
Three people posing together at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, with a black backdrop featuring festival logos. The woman on the left wears a blue dress, the man in the center wears a red floral shirt, and the man on the right wears a navy
A young woman in a colorful floral dress with a high slit, standing on a red carpet at the Byron Bay International Film Festival. She has long wavy brown hair and is smiling. Behind her is a black backdrop with the festival's logo, and there are pott
Two people, a woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a white embroidered top and blue pants, and a man with curly hair and beard, wearing glasses, a pink shirt, and plaid pants, standing together at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, hol
A man and woman dressed elegantly on a red carpet at an event, with a backdrop logo for the Byron Bay International Film Festival. The man is wearing a beige suit and sunglasses, and the woman is in a dark blue dress, smiling and holding a phone.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a red floral off-shoulder dress with blue and cream flowers, smiling at the camera, standing in front of a black backdrop with白the Byron Bay International Film Festival logo.
A woman with gray hair wearing a loose, white, floral-patterned dress stands on a red carpet at a film festival, smiling and looking to her right. Behind her is a black backdrop with festival logos, blue decorative plants, and a sign that reads 'CINE
Three people dressed in formal attire at a bar or party, with shelves of bottles and snacks in the background. Two women holding glasses and a man in a light-colored blazer in the middle.
A man with curly blonde hair and a beard smiling, standing in front of purple neon angel wings, wearing a tropical shirt with palm tree patterns.
A woman with blonde hair in a black velvet blazer and wide-leg pants standing on a red carpet at the Byron Bay International Film Festival, against a black backdrop with festival logos.
Two women pose for a photo in front of a softly blurred background, with a camera visible on the right side of the frame.
Two elderly people, a woman and a man, smiling and walking through a neon-lit tunnel with blue, yellow, and red lights, during a nighttime event.
Three men at a social gathering, with a dimly lit indoor setting and people in the background.
A group of people at a social gathering or party, with one man in the foreground wearing a Japanese-style robe, holding his chin, and looking at the camera. The background shows other attendees chatting and enjoying drinks.
A smiling woman lying on a bed of various stuffed animals, including teddy bears, Elmo, unicorn, and other plush toys.