Byron Bay Film Festival

02/06/2026

Screenwriters, this one’s for you. 📝

The Byron Bay International Film Festival is celebrating its 20th edition, and submissions are now open for the Screenplay Competition.

One of the only screenplay contests run in conjunction with a major Australian film festival, this competition is open to feature-length screenplays in all genres. BBFF screens an eclectic selection of films, and this competition is sure to match that same diversity and creativity.

1st prize: $1000 Australian cash
Submission deadline: 31 August
Submit via the link: https://www.bbff.com.au/submissions

28/04/2026

Filmmakers, don’t miss this one. 🎥

In an era that encourages us to keep our hearts, minds and screens small, BBFF invites you to expand them all. The 20th Byron Bay International Film Festival, 15–26 October 2026, is now open for submissions.

Filmmaker Anna Trichet-Laurier, whose film Nansie screened at our festival, describes the experience: “Thank you so much for having us this year. The amount of work and press beforehand was truly amazing, and the hospitality was incredible.”

For two decades, BBFF has championed independent cinema from across Australia and around the world, presenting bold storytelling across all genres and formats, including film and VR.
Screen your work in one of Australia’s most loved destination festivals, where filmmakers gather in the heart of Byron Bay for screenings, conversations and a truly social festival experience.

Regular submissions close: 30 April
Submit your film or project via: https://www.bbff.com.au/submissions

26/04/2026

As the Byron Bay International Film Festival marks its 20th edition, we’re looking back at the films that have moved us most.

Our Best Film Winners Letterboxd list is a living archive of each festival’s standout work, from emerging voices to established auteurs. One film per year, hand-picked by our jury, capturing the spirit and creativity of BBFF across two decades.

Relive the moments, discover hidden gems, and celebrate 20 years of independent cinema. Explore the full list and follow us on Letterboxd here: 📲 https://boxd.it/Tgery.

21/04/2026

Filmmakers, this one is for you. 🎬

The Byron Bay International Film Festival is celebrating its 20th edition. For twenty years, BBFF has championed independent cinema that entertains, inspires and challenges audiences.

Nathan Hunt, cinematic director behind Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA VI, describes BBFF as a launchpad that helped shape both his career and lasting creative collaborations. Now it’s your turn to screen your work at one of Australia’s most loved destination festivals, set among Byron Bay’s beaches, music and creative culture.

Regular submissions close: 30 April
Submit via the link: https://www.bbff.com.au/submissions

22/03/2026

A very sad time for Byron's Creative Community with the loss of Rhoda Roberts and Michael Weatherhead.

Rhoda Roberts AO - Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung nation leaves an extraordinary legacy that has helped shape Australia’s cultural landscape. Her work and influence extended into the Byron Bay Film Festival through a number of projects over the years, most recently Aquarius, our Opening Night film in 2024.

Michael Weatherhead was a huge supporter of the festival and Byron's film community. Michael founded Screenzone - a documentary focused streaming service developed in Byron Bay and was passionate about the power of documentary storytelling, our festival and supporting Byron's filmmakers.

Their contributions sit deeply within the fabric of this region’s creative life. Both Rhoda and Michael brought vision, generosity and a belief in storytelling as a force for connection. Their absence will be felt across our community..

04/02/2026

In a world of shortcuts, true mastery is becoming a rare superpower.

We are thrilled to see our very own Festival Director, J'aimee Skippon-Volke, taking the stage this Saturday at HOTA for the AACTA Careers Expo. The expo is a key part of the AACTA Festival - an epic five-day immersion of screen culture, bringing together the best in the industry for an unforgettable celebration of film and television.

J'aimee will be chairing the 'Grit and the Art of Doing It!' panel - a deep dive into the discipline and resilience required to turn creative practice into long-term progress. She's joined by an incredible lineup of industry heavyweights:

Jason Baird (JMB FX Studio) An Oscar-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning Australian Prosthetics Designer, Jason is renowned for extraordinary transformations ranging from subtle period details to bold prosthetic effects. His iconic work can be seen in cinematic landmarks including The Matrix 1, 2, & 3, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, , Thor: Ragnarok, Aquaman, and Kong: Skull Island.

Natasha Pizzica (EndemolShine Australia) A Logie Award-winning Series Producer, Natasha has spent over a decade mastering storytelling across reality, lifestyle, and animation. From her recent success leading Gogglebox Australia to her work on Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and the legendary Play School, Natasha’s career demonstrates the incredible versatility and leadership needed to deliver world-class content across global platforms.

Mike Mosallam (Shadowbox Studios) - With nearly 20 years in the industry, Mike has shaped the physical landscape of modern entertainment. From revitalizing historic Hollywood lots at Sunset Studios for creators like Shonda Rhimes and Aaron Sorkin, to leading global production planning for Netflix and Apple TV+, Mike’s career is a masterclass in strategic growth. Now the COO of Shadowbox Studios, he brings unparalleled insight into the endurance required to scale the world’s most ambitious production platforms.

Grab your free ticket at https://bit.ly/aacta-talk

This is just one of over 100 fantastic events running at the AACTA Festival where you can get up close and personal with some of Australia's leading and most iconic screen talent!

Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA)

16/01/2026

GIVEAWAY! Jafar Panahi’s masterpiece tells a tale of justice, revenge and life in Iran and will be releasing nationally on January 29, 2026. We have 10 double-passes to give away at cinemas across the country. Sign up for our e-newsletter to go in the running to win!
www.bit.ly/bbff-signup

BBFF2025's IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT is a world class cinematic achievement and one of the highest ranked films of the year. Following its Palme d’Or win and four Golden Globe nominations, It Was Just an Accident has continued to gain international attention, with strong expectations it will be announced next week as a Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Feature nominee at the 2026 Academy Awards.

11/12/2025

GIVEAWAY! Winner of BBFF2023’s Best Surf Film, Point of Change traces the extraordinary and complicated story of how two surfers chasing perfection changed an island forever.

Tell us your favourite Surf Film below for a chance to win a double pass!

In the mid-1970s, two Australian surfers stumbled upon the legendary break at Lagundri Bay on Nias Island, Indonesia. What began as an off-grid surf odyssey soon became the stuff of legend - and, as filmmaker Rebecca Coley reveals, a turning point that would transform the island’s community, culture, and coastline.

When filmmaker Dick Hoole captured Nias for his now-iconic 1982 surf film Storm Riders, he unwittingly ignited global fascination with “the world’s best wave.” The footage became surf cinema gold - but it also shattered the unspoken code of secrecy that once protected the world’s most remote breaks. Hoole’s arrival with his camera made him both hero and villain: revered for immortalising a dream, condemned for exposing paradise.

Through rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and evocative animation, Point of Change explores how that single moment of discovery rippled far beyond the lineup - altering lives, landscapes, and surf culture itself.

Screening at the Byron Theatre, Fri Dec 12 - Followed by a Q&A with Director Rebecca Coley, hosted by Tricia Shantz, Rusty Miller, and Dick Hoole.

19/11/2025