Local films lead at Byron Bay film festival

THE 18th Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) will kick off on October 18, showcasing a diverse range of local films, including Aquarius.

The festival opens with the premiere of Aquarius, a documentary about the 1973 Nimbin Aquarius Festival, which had a lasting social and cultural impact on Northern NSW.

BBFF director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said the event is one not to be missed.

“This is now our 18th edition, and we have established ourselves as an annual must-attend 10-day event in the arts, culture, and Australian film calendar,” Ms Skippon-Volke said.

“The calibre of films is once again outstanding. We live in an era where we are constantly expected to keep our hearts, minds, and screens small. The films BBFF screen continue to invite audiences to expand them all, and we look forward to seeing you there.”

The opening night festivities begin at 6.30pm with a red carpet reception at Palace Byron Bay, where guests can enjoy drinks and canapes from Nourishing Habitat. The film screening starts at 8pm, followed by an after-party at Otherworld at 9.30pm with live DJs and a best-dressed prize for those channeling their inner flower child.

Tickets for the gala are available at three levels: $80 for the reception and film, $100 for the full night including the after-party, and $30 for the after-party only.

This year’s festival lineup includes Wilding, based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book, which tells the story of a couple who entrust their failing 400-year-old estate to nature in a bold rewilding experiment.

Impact follows the recovery of two skydivers after a near-fatal accident in Byron Bay, while Washed Away explores community resilience following one of Australia’s most devastating floods.

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday traces the roots of Australian surf culture using restored 16mm footage and features iconic surfers like Tim Winton and Bob McTavish.

The world premiere of Fragments of a Half Life by Johnny Abegg offers a deeply personal exploration of grief, and Fungi: Web of Life, narrated by Björk, delves into the mysterious role fungi play in ecosystems.

Running for 10 days, the Byron Bay International Film Festival offers a rich array of films from around the world while celebrating the stories and landscapes of Northern NSW.

For tickets and more details, visit bbff.com.au, and check out the full list of homegrown films at bbff.com.au/home-grown-films.