Home-Grown Films

Byron and the Northern Rivers is home to Australia’s largest regional filmmaking community. Our 2023 program includes a number of locally-made films.

Black and white logo of the Byron Bay International Film Festival with a stylized eye symbol, laurel wreath, and text indicating nomination in 2022.
  • Two children standing on rocky ground with water cascading down behind them, reaching out toward each other in front of a waterfall, with the text "FREEDOM IS BEAUTIFUL" at the top.

    FREEDOM IS BEAUTIFUL

    Angus McDonald

    Feature Documentary

    An uplifting story of the power of love and our shared humanity.

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  • A man with glasses and a beard sitting in a chair next to a bed where an elderly person is lying. The room has wood-paneled walls, a framed painting of flowers, and a nighttime setting. Overlayed text promotes a documentary titled 'The Last Two Weeks at Longlee'.

    THE LAST TWO WEEKS AT LONGLEE

    Susie Forster

    Feature Documentary

    As 82-year-old Lee confronts her mortality, her family grapples with emotion and memories. Amidst COVID restrictions and with the support of a dedicated palliative care team, they unite to fulfill Lee's final wish: to die at home.

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  • Poster for the film 'The Trust Fall: Julian Assange' featuring a man in a suit with arms crossed over his chest, set against a starry night sky background. The poster includes multiple award icons and text describing the film's accolades and creators.

    THE TRUST FALL - JULIAN ASSANGE

    Kym Staton

    Feature Documentary

    Despite being detained, silenced and hidden from public view in maximum security Belmarsh Prison, multi-award-winning Australian journalist and publisher Julian Assange has become one of the loudest voices for free speech of our times. He has also risked everything to bring truth to light.

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  • Profile of an elderly man with white hair and beard, looking contemplative against a clear blue sky.

    THROUGH THE LOCAL LENS

    7 Stories from the Northern Rivers

    Screening at the Regent Murwillumbah

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  • Three male performers on stage dressed as traditional indigenous tribal figures with body paint, holding spears, performing in front of an audience under stage lighting.

    SPOTLIGHT ON BYRON

    10 Short Home-Grown Films

    Screening on Saturday 21 October at the Brunswick Picture House.

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  • A person in a wetsuit standing in a river, holding up a peace sign; below, a person holds a small gold nugget on a hand; at the bottom, a person takes a photo near a campfire by a river with a forest in the background, with a film festival award overlay.

    BLUE AND GOLD

    Caleb Graham

    Short Documentary

    A short documentary about north coast man Luke Morgan, who dedicated the first part of his life to the ocean, but in his 30's discovered Gold Prospecting - and has been dedicated and passionate about this pursuit ever since.

    Screens Tuesday 24 October with Ground Swell: The Edge of Fear and in Murwillumbah’s Through The Local Lens Session

  • Poster for a production titled 'HEDGEHOG' with a photo of a person with a short haircut, looking downward, against a green curtain background.

    HEDGEHOG

    Jasper Caverly

    Short Film

    Brig Huang, a headstrong trans teenager, is propelled into their hangover when a reckless decision to have sex without a condom triggers an urgent determination for the ‘morning after’ pill.

    Screens on Sunday 22 October with Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party

  • Two children's hands holding small shells, with a blurred background of leaves and a person wearing jeans.

    MOTHER EARTH EDUCATORS

    Endre Kvia

    Short Documentary

    Endre Kvia’s Mother Earth Educators highlights the work of Nadia Pietramale de Souza and the impact of Mullumbimby’s Community Garden as we witness a group of children reconnecting with nature, forging bonds, understanding their roles in the larger ecosystem, and experiencing the magic of hands-on learning.

    Screens in Seeds of Inspiration: Chronicles of Hope and Change

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  • Cover image for a movie or documentary titled 'Refugia' featuring an underwater coral reef scene, a close-up of two face profiles, and an aerial view of lush greenery.

    REFUGIA

    Liana Cornell

    Short Documentary

    A Refugia is a place of refuge where species survive through crisis. More than ever, now is the time to recognize and support those committed to the protection and preservation of these Refugia.

    It is in the everyday that we find our true heroes now, those who are focused on the betterment of our place here on earth.

    Screens in Seeds of Inspiration: Chronicles of Hope and Change

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