WHAT’S ON WHERE
We’ve got a number of great venue partners who are helping us bring a world of film and special events to you across the region
BRUNSWICK PICTUREHOUSE
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![A shirtless man with tattoos, wearing shorts, is sitting on a wooden chair in an art studio, working on a painting on an easel. The studio has large windows, several colorful abstract paintings leaning against the wall, and art supplies scattered on the floor, including paint cans, brushes, and wine bottles.]()
SPOTLIGHT ON BYRON
Saturday 21 October 2pm
Spotlight on Byron, the Saturday afternoon session at the Brunswick Picture House, is a showcase of the imaginative and hardworking talent that we have in our tiny shire. These nine short films cover teen horror, ghostly playfulness, human comedy, topical social commentary, First Nations struggle and the wonder of nature on our doorstep. Truly a compendium of the diversity of life on the North Coast.
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![A middle-aged man with long hair and a beard, wearing a plaid shirt, sitting in a film or photography studio, holding a keyboard and a device on his lap, with studio lighting and equipment in the background.]()
THE TRUST FALL : JULIAN ASSANGE
NSW Premiere + Q&A
Saturday 21 October 6pm
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.
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![A woman dressed in yellow traditional Indian attire performing a dance pose with multiple arms, each holding a flag labeled tourism, education, migration, exports, donors, policy. The background is blue with decorative patterns, and there is a date, 2.11.2023, at the top.]()
BRAND BOLLYWOOD DOWNUNDER
World Premiere + Q&A
Sunday 29 October 2pm
Delve beneath the colourful exterior of Hollywood’s biggest rival to discover the artistry, organised chaos, music, dance, politics and unique characters that have led to Bollywood taking Australia by storm.
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![An elderly woman walking through a lush garden with trees, flowering plants, and potted plants on a wooden deck.]()
THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT LONGLEE
NSW Premiere + Q&A
Sunday 29 October 6:30pm
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.
LENNOX HEAD CULTURAL CENTRE
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![A woman and man sit facing each other outdoors at night, with a guitar resting on the woman's lap, under a tall streetlight, and smiling at each other.]()
UNDER STREETLIGHTS
World Premiere + Q&A with cast & crew
Sunday 22 October 3:30pm
Born from a grassroots initiative to empower young talent in remote Australia, this film champions the transformative power of music and the promise of a united future.
A heartwarming ode to hope, connection, and the melodies that bind us. Experience a film that will uplift, inspire, and leave you humming its tunes long after the credits roll.
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![Colorful graphic with the words 'Point of Change' in bold yellow letters in the center, featuring images of cultural and environmental scenes including people holding umbrellas and tribal figures.]()
POINT OF CHANGE
Australian Premiere + Panel with Tricia Shantz, Rusty Miller, Wendy Adcock, Thornton Fallander Dick Hoole & Kevin Lovett.
Saturday 21 October 6pm
The remarkable and previously untold true story of the first surf pioneers to ‘discover' the 'Point' on the isolated Indonesian island of Nias and the dramatic consequences and the devastating social and ecological repercussions for the people and place that followed.
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![Close-up of a man's face wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors near a river with green trees in the background.]()
THE EDGE OF NATURE
With Q&A with Josh Fox
Sunday 29 October 3pm
Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning filmmaker Josh Fox’s film opened at the 2023 Byron Bay Film Festival and is back by popular demand.Josh explores how nature may just teach us how to heal ourselves.
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![A large wave with a surfer riding down, while a boat is nearby on the wave, and a crowd watches from the shore with a red lighthouse in the foreground.]()
GROUND SWELL: THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR
Lennox Premiere
Sunday 29 October 6:30pm
Narrated by Josh Brolin this film explores how Big Wave Surfers push past their fear and find out what is on the other side as they tackle monstrous waves in locations from Nazare in Portugal, Jaws, and Pipeline in Hawaii, and Mavericks in Northern California.
THE REGENT MURWILLUMBAH
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![Black and white photo of a young woman with short dark hair, holding a microphone and a saxophone, singing or speaking into the microphone.]()
MUTINY IN HEAVEN
NSW Premiere
Saturday 21 October 5:30pm
The story of The Birthday Party's ascent, apex and inevitable collapse is a thrilling tale of epic struggle, artistic genius and total dysfunctionality. Told in the group's own words, Mutiny In Heaven brings the band's story to the screen for the first time.
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![Man and children playing outdoors, some children pulling on his shirt that has 'SOL' written on it, others wrestling or falling on the ground, in a schoolyard or park setting.]()
RADICAL
Murwillumbah Premiere
Sunday 22 October 1 pm
Among his students is Paloma, aspiring to be an aerospace engineer. Christopher Zalla's "Radical", inspired by true events and a winner of Sundance's Audience Award, captures the resilience of youth and the transformative power of education.
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![Smiling man swimming in a natural body of water with arms raised.]()
LET'S GET LOST (AILLEURS SI J'Y SUIS)
Australian Premiere
Friday 27 October 1 pm
In this wry comedy, Mathias, at a life crossroads, mysteriously retreats into the forest, leaving everyone bewildered. His absence prompts those close to him to reevaluate their own choices, dreams, and regrets.
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![A woman in black athletic wear and sneakers sitting on the edge of a rooftop with a city skyline of tall buildings in the background, a camera lens in the foreground, and the text 'and the king said, what a FANTASTIC MACHINE' overlayed.]()
FANTASTIC MACHINE
Murwillumbah Premiere
Friday 26 October 3:15pm
What happens when humanity’s infatuation with itself and an untethered free market meet 45 billion cameras…? Fantastic Machine explores, explains and exposes how our unchecked obsession with image has grown to change our human behaviour.
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![Promo image for the Byron Bay International Film Festival featuring a young girl with a serious expression, holding a remote control, wearing a cowboy hat, and the festival dates October 20-29, 2023.]()
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR
Friday 27 5:25pm
In the pulsating heart of the Australian film landscape lies a gem that sparkles with the promise of tomorrow: the Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year Competition. An integral part of the Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) since 2007, this competition has, year after year, stood as a beacon for budding filmmakers, calling out to those who dare to dream big.
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![An artist wearing a beanie and gray shirt sitting on a stool in a studio surrounded by colorful paintings, holding a cup, and covering his face with his hand. The studio is filled with art supplies and completed artwork.]()
BROMLEY: LIFE AFTER DARK
NSW Premiere
Saturday 28 October 3pm
David Bromley found that art appeased the voices in his head and helped him find beauty in the world. So he made the life-changing decision to commit his whole being to something meaningful. Light after Dark takes us into the world of this prominent Australian artist.
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![Two men smiling and laughing on a beach with ocean waves in the background]()
FREEDOM IS BEAUTIFUL
Murwillumbah Premiere + Q&A
Saturday 28 October 5:15pm
Freed after eight years of detention, Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa Azimitibar turned to art and music as peaceful resistance under Australia's harsh offshore processing, showcasing resilience and optimism in Angus McDonald's unflinching yet hopeful documentary.
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![A woman with curly red hair wearing a light beige, semi-transparent dress with a knot at the waist, standing against a floral wallpaper background with her arms raised and bent.]()
THROUGH THE LOCAL LENS: HOME-GROWN FILMS
Sunday 29 October 3pm
Experience regional tales and talent in 'Through the Local Lens', a diverse short film showcase highlighting culture, resilience, introspection, heritage, and the vibrant life of the Northern Rivers region.
PALACE BYRON BAY
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![A woman and a man sitting on the ground at night, facing each other and smiling. The woman has a guitar on her lap, and a streetlamp illuminates the scene against a dark sky with stars.]()
UNDER STREETLIGHTS
World Premiere + Q&A with cast & crew
Saturday 21 October 7:30pm - (SOLD OUT)
Sunday 29 5:15pm Encore Screening
Born from a grassroots initiative to empower young talent in remote Australia, this film champions the transformative power of music and the promise of a united future.
A heartwarming ode to hope, connection, and the melodies that bind us. Experience a film that will uplift, inspire, and leave you humming its tunes long after the credits roll.
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![A woman standing in a forest scene is being anointed or blessed by another woman with a smoked or burned stick. The standing woman has closed eyes and wears a patterned cloak, while the other woman is dressed in a pink and white blouse and appears to be performing a ritual.]()
SEEDS OF INSPIRATION: CHRONICLES OF HOPE & CHANGE
World/NSW Premieres + Q&A
Sunday 22 October 12:45pm - (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 28 5pm - Encore Screening
A trio of films (Mother Earth Educators, Refugia & Between Earth & Sky) that resonate with themes of connection, rejuvenation, and the profound impact of nature on our lives. It’s a cinematic journey that shines a spotlight on the resilience of the human spirit and the undying bond we share with Mother Earth.
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![A woman with short dark hair playing a saxophone and singing into a mic, shirtless with a painted or tattooed upper body, black and white photo.]()
MUTINY IN HEAVEN
NSW Premiere
Sun 22 5pm (SOLD OUT), Tues 24 12:30pm + Sat 28 7:30pm (SELLING FAST)
The story of The Birthday Party's ascent, apex and inevitable collapse is a thrilling tale of epic struggle, artistic genius and total dysfunctionality. Told in the group's own words, Mutiny In Heaven brings the band's story to the screen for the first time.
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![A woman and a man stand outdoors in a snowy mountain landscape, both looking down with somber expressions.]()
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Byron Premiere
Monday 23 12:30pm + 7pm (SOLD OUT)
Friday 27 4:30pm (SELLING FAST)
Sunday 29 encore coming soon
Director Justine Triet's cinematic brilliance, underscored by haunting steel drums, earned this film the Cannes Palme d’Or 2023, making it an unforgettable watch.
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![A teacher with a sign around his neck that says 'SOL' is playing a game of tug-of-war with students on a playground during the daytime.]()
RADICAL
Byron Premiere
Wed 25 7pm + Sun 29 October 12:30pm
Among his students is Paloma, aspiring to be an aerospace engineer. Christopher Zalla's "Radical", inspired by true events and a winner of Sundance's Audience Award, captures the resilience of youth and the transformative power of education.
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![An artist sitting on a small stool in an art studio surrounded by colorful paintings of people, faces, birds, and abstract designs. The artist is wearing a black beanie and gray shirt, holding a mug, with a hand covering their face. The studio has shelves with paint bottles, a vintage car, and art supplies on the floor.]()
BROMLEY: LIFE AFTER DARK
NSW Premiere + Q&A with the Bromleys & Filmmakers
Fri 27 7:30pm (SELLING FAST) + Sat 28 12:30pm Oct
David Bromley found that art appeased the voices in his head and helped him find beauty in the world. So he made the life-changing decision to commit his whole being to something meaningful. Light after Dark takes us into the world of this prominent Australian artist.
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![A group of children standing and sitting around a damaged, abandoned car in a wasteland with scattered debris and trash, with a hill in the background.]()
KAUGERE: A PLACE WHERE NOBODY ENTERS
World Premiere + Q&A
Saturday 28 October 3pm
Set amid the squalor of one of Papua New Guinea’s infamous settlements, Kaugere is a modern-day parable of once tribal men finding their feet through the game of rugby league.
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![A woman in an orange polo shirt and red pants walking outdoors near a modern building, with two girls in school uniforms walking behind her under a shaded awning.]()
CLUB ZERO
Byron Premiere
Saturday 28 October 5:15pm
Mia Wasikowska shines in this Cannes' 2023 featured film as Miss Novak, a teacher at an elite boarding school championing the idea of "conscious eating." Her innovative lessons quickly spawn a fervent student group, "Club Zero", advocating for minimalistic consumption.
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![Four people sitting on a worn-out red sofa in a dimly lit, cluttered, and somewhat dilapidated living room with peeling wallpaper, a partially filled bottle of liquor with candles, and laundry hanging in the background.]()
INTERNATIONAL SHORTS: POWERFUL FOREIGN FILMS
Sunday 29 3pm
Showcasing films from a diverse range of countries, including Italy, Luxembourg, Argentina, and beyond, this session epitomizes the power of cinema. Significantly, among this global lineup are several nominees for BBFF2023's Best Short Film Award.
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![An older man and a young woman sitting on a park bench, looking up and smiling while holding gaming controllers, with trees in the background.]()
PERFECT DAYS
Byron Premiere
Friday 27 12:30pm
Sunday 29 7:30pm (SELLING FAST)
From the acclaimed director of classics like Paris, Texas, Buena Vista Social Club, Wings of Desire and The Salt of the Earth, Wim Wenders returned to the Cannes Competition this year with a poignant tale set against the backdrop of Japan.
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![A young girl with long blonde hair, wearing a brown hat and a serious expression, holding a remote control in her hand. The background shows a woman and beige curtains. The right side of the image has a blue overlay with white and dark blue text promoting the Byron Bay International Film Festival, including the hashtag #BBFF2023 and the dates October 20-29.]()
YOUNG AUSTRALIAN FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR
Saturday 21 October 12:30pm
In the pulsating heart of the Australian film landscape lies a gem that sparkles with the promise of tomorrow: the Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year Competition. An integral part of the Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) since 2007, this competition has, year after year, stood as a beacon for budding filmmakers, calling out to those who dare to dream big.
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![A woman lying on the edge of a rooftop near a camera lens with a cityscape of tall buildings in the background, accompanied by the text 'and the king said, what a FANTASTIC MACHINE'.]()
FANTASTIC MACHINE
Byron Premiere
Sunday 22 October 3pm
What happens when humanity’s infatuation with itself and an untethered free market meet 45 billion cameras…? Fantastic Machine explores, explains and exposes how our unchecked obsession with image has grown to change our human behaviour.
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![Two men laughing and talking on the beach during sunset, with clouds and waves in the background.]()
FREEDOM IS BEAUTIFUL
Byron Premiere + Q&A
Saturday 21 October 5:15pm - SOLD OUT
Wednesday 25 12:30pm - Encore Screening
Freed after eight years of detention, Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa Azimitibar turned to art and music as peaceful resistance under Australia's harsh offshore processing, showcasing resilience and optimism in Angus McDonald's unflinching yet hopeful documentary.
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![A man stands barefoot on a rocky beach next to a palm tree, looking out at ocean waves under cloudy skies.]()
OLAS Y ONDAS - WAVES & SWELLS
Sunday 22 October 7:30pm
Embark on a exhilarating journey through the waves and stories of Luso-Hispanic surf culture. 5 strong surf films make up this exceptional session.
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![A man swimming in a clear, greenish-blue lake with arms raised in the water, smiling joyfully.]()
LET'S GET LOST (AILLEURS SI J'Y SUIS)
Australian Premiere
Saturday 21 October 3 pm
Thursday 26 October 12:30pm Encore Screening
In this wry comedy, Mathias, at a life crossroads, mysteriously retreats into the forest, leaving everyone bewildered. His absence prompts those close to him to reevaluate their own choices, dreams, and regrets.
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![Two young women enjoying a moment on a city rooftop at sunset, with one jumping and the other sitting on the ground smiling, against a backdrop of city buildings and a cloudy sky.]()
HABANA SHAKES
World Premiere + Q&A
Thursday 26 7pm
A valentine to Cuban youth culture youth and Habana (an island city and Cuba's capital, on the cusp of change) Habana Shakes is lyrical and an observational window into the world's of Maya, Yoljany, Yelda, Teresita and Lehardi.
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![Large ocean wave with a surfer riding it near a red lighthouse, and a group of onlookers on the shore watching.]()
GROUND SWELL: THE EDGE OF FEAR
Byron Premiere
Tuesday 24 October 7pm (SELLING FAST)
Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear is an in-depth look at the 2021-22 big wave season through the eyes of Nic Von Rupp, Kai Lenny, Matt Bromley, Torrey Meister, Vini dos Santos and pioneering female surfer Bianca Valenti and maybe the 100-foot wave.
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![Collage of images from the Byron Bay International Film Festival, showing people socializing, attending events, enjoying music and performances, and celebrating.]()
OPENING NIGHT: THE EDGE OF NATURE
World Premiere - SOLD OUT
Friday 20 October - Party 6:30pm Film 8pm
Step into the spotlight at the 17th Byron Bay International Film Festival's Opening Night Gala, a dazzling evening bursting with style and glamour. The evening starts with a fabulous party, followed by the World Premiere of Josh Fox’s new film The Edge of Nature.
SPECIAL EVENTS
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![A futuristic digital illustration of a woman's face with cybernetic enhancements and a headset with glowing blue lights.]()
TECHNOLOGY TALKS
BEACH HOTEL
Saturday 21 October 12 to 5pm
BBFF delves into the innovative ways Creatives can harness technology to enable and build their creative visions, opening new realms of possibility in an ever-evolving space.
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![Poster for Byron Bay International Film Festival music video showcase. Event details: Wednesday, October 25th from 8:30 PM to 10 PM at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay. Free event with after-party at Lovers Lane. Features a neon-lit DJ turntable with swirling, colorful patterns.]()
MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE
BEACH HOTEL
Wednesday 25th October 8:30 to 10pm
Get ready to groove and be mesmerised by the magic of music and visuals at the BBFF2023 Music Video Showcase!
This is free event - with an after party at Lovers Lane
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![Text that reads 'Lovers Lane' in a playful, stylized font.]()
OFFICAL AFTER PARTY VENUE
LOVERS LANE
After Party for Opening Night - Friday 20 October
After Party for Music Video Showcase - Wednesday 25 October
Wednesday to Saturdays
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![People watching outdoor movie screening under a night sky with clouds and the bright moon.]()
BEACHSIDE FULL MOON CINEMA
MAIN BEACH NEXT TO SURF CLUB
Friday 27 October from dusk
FREE
Enjoy a magical night out
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![Abstract black and white swirling smoke or ink patterns creating a symmetrical design.]()
JACK BAILEY "UNTITLED"
SHOPFRONT ACTIVATION - UPSTAIRS AT THE MERCATO
20-29 October
Local Artist Jack Bailey returns to BBFF with his latest work “Untitled” an expansive visual journey, that challenges and transcends the modern boundaries of macro propaganda, and micro attention spans we have been so readily conditioned to.
