BBFF2025 Winners
The 19th Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) has wrapped after ten packed days of screenings, Q&As and special events that celebrated creative storytelling from across Australia and the world.
This year’s festival brought together filmmakers, audiences and industry guests in a vibrant showcase of more than 100 films across nine venues including Byron Bay, Ballina, Brunswick Heads, Lismore and Mullumbimby - reaffirming BBFF’s reputation as one of Australia’s most loved regional film festivals.
Festival Director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said the 2025 edition captured the spirit of connection and resilience that defines the Northern Rivers arts community. “Our audience’s enthusiasm and the calibre of the films have been extraordinary,” she said. “Each screening reminded us how vital storytelling is to our sense of place and shared humanity.”
The winners of the 2025 festival are:
BEST FILM and WINNER OF THE DAVID STRATTON DOCUMENTARY AWARD
Comparsa
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY + HONOURABLE MENTION FOR BEST FILM
Champions of the Golden Valley
BEST DRAMATIC FEATURE
A Rare Grand Alignment
BEST SHORT FILM
Bőr
BEST SURF FILM
Beyond The Break
BEST BYRON FILM
Flowing Wood
THE ROB STEWART CONSERVATION AWARD
Sea Country - Malu Lag
BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
Haus Tumbuna
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Foster the People - Lost in Space
BEST ANIMATION
The Wild-Tempered Clavier
BEST VR EXPERIENCE
Xian’er (Chinese Immortals)
LEARN MORE
BEST SCREENPLAY
A Treacherous Country
By Jay Jennings
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR
Tadji Ulrich
