Schools Program

Available Venues Include:

  • Entrance to Palace Cinemas with illuminated sign, glass doors, and a mural of a silhouette of a person playing a flute on the wall.

    PALACE CINEMAS

    BYRON BAY

  • interior view of Lismore's Starcourt Theatre

    STARCOURT THEATRE

    LISMORE

  • Empty movie theater with red seats and a large blank screen.

    PALACE - BALLINA FAIR

    BALLINA

  • An exterior view of the Drill Hall Mullumbimby

    THE DRILL HALL

    MULLUMBIMBY

School Screenings That Inspire and Empower

October 20–24 | Byron Bay, Ballina, Mullumbimby, Lismore

The Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) warmly invites local educators and students to experience the power of storytelling through film during our 2025 Schools Program, proudly supported by Byron Shire Council.

From Monday 20 to Friday 24 October, schools across the Northern Rivers can participate in specially curated cinema experiences at venues in Byron Bay, Ballina, Mullumbimby, and Lismore.

🎒 Inspiring Young Minds Through Film

Each year, BBFF selects a diverse program of animation, live-action, and documentary films from hundreds of national and international submissions. These age-appropriate sessions are designed to:

  • Expand students’ horizons

  • Stimulate critical thinking

  • Spark creative expression

  • Provide meaningful discussion starters in the classroom

We offer tailored sessions for both Primary and Secondary students, giving teachers flexibility and confidence to choose the best fit for their class.

🍿 A Day Out With a Difference

Flexible session times to suit your school’s schedule

Affordable, educational, and unforgettable

Enjoy a cinema visit, a treat at the candy bar, and (venue depending) the option of a walkable excursion

Make a day of it with a class picnic in one of our local parks or beaches

In response to teacher feedback, we’re exploring a Double Feature option - giving students a full day of learning and entertainment through film. Let us know if your school would be interested.

đź“š Why Participate?

Since 2007, BBFF has delivered enriching, accessible film experiences for local students. Our Schools Program supports:

  • Curriculum-linked learning

  • Cultural literacy and global perspectives

  • Youth engagement in the creative arts

  • Whether you’re aiming to complement your lessons, reward your students, or simply inspire them with big-screen magic, BBFF’s Schools Program is an experience they’ll remember.

✉️ Book Now

To express interest or secure your session email: schools@bbff.com.au

2025 PROGRAM

  • A poster for the film the constructor a siblings stand in lego rain

    PRIMARY PROGRAM

    This immersive program features short films and animations from Australia, India, the Czech Republic, USA and more - each offering a window into understanding our shared humanity.

    Through these carefully selected works, students will experience universal themes of identity, resilience, love, and belonging.

    Explore a selection of films from this year’s program with more to be announced!

    LEARN MORE
  • Poster for the Byron Bay International Film Festival displaying three images in a film strip and the text 'High Schools: Elemental Transitions.' The images include a woman rock climbing, a boy holding a stick with smoke in the background, and a woman in armor with red hair in an indoor setting. The background features a cloudy sky and ocean scene.

    HIGH SCHOOLS PROGRAM

    The programs contain animation, live action and experimental films from Taiwan, Czech Republic and beyond - designed to ignite imaginations, spark conversation, and reveal different approaches to storytelling itself.

    By engaging with these diverse voices and visual languages, students develop critical thinking skills, cultural empathy, and a broader understanding of their place in an interconnected world.

    Take a look at a sample of the films we’re offering High Schools this year.

    LEARN MORE

ABOUT POPPY WALKER

ABOUT POPPY WALKER

Offered both during and after our 2025 dates the 2025 Schools Program curation was constructed by Poppy Walker. Poppy is a film director and writer based on Bundjalung Country, whose award-winning work has screened in Australia and abroad.

Poppy’s collaborative practice spans documentary, narrative film and theatre. She loves working with artists to craft intimate human stories, and has been an avid film-watcher from the age of 4. Poppy has two children, Wolfgang (10) and Raul (8) who love making their own films.

Poppy strongly believes in the beauty and power of film - especially when shared with others at the cinema. Poppy says “Film is a powerful educational tool. It gives students the opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes and reflect on their own identity and ideas. There’s nothing quite like watching great cinema in a theatre, together.”

BBFF’s School’s Program is supported by