Byron Bay International Film Festival Wraps 2025 on a High Note
100 films, 10 days, 9 venues: Northern Rivers audiences embrace independent cinema
The 19th Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) has wrapped after ten packed days of screenings, Q&As and special events that celebrated creative storytelling from across Australia and the world. This year’s festival brought together filmmakers, audiences and industry guests in a vibrant showcase of more than 100 films across nine venues including Byron Bay, Ballina, Brunswick Heads, Lismore and Mullumbimby - reaffirming BBFF’s reputation as one of Australia’s most loved regional film festivals.
Festival Director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said the 2025 edition captured the spirit of connection and resilience that defines the Northern Rivers arts community.
Our audience’s enthusiasm and the calibre of the films have been extraordinary. Each screening reminded us how vital storytelling is to our sense of place and shared humanity.
Festival Highlights
Highlights of the 10-day celebration included the Opening Night Gala at Palace Byron Bay and Tokyo Doll, the Schools program, the Surf and Sustainability session at Stone & Wood Brewery, industry events at TAFE Byron Bay, the Local Lens session at the Brunswick Picture House, and the ABC North Coast Filmmakers Breakfast and Music Video Showcase – both held at the stylish Hotel Marvell. Audiences also embraced award-winning international dramas and documentaries and Australian features, shorts and student films, with filmmakers attending from as far afield as the USA, Germany and Papua New Guinea.
2025 BBFF Award Winners
• Best Dramatic Feature: A Rare Grand Alignment
• The David Stratton Award for Best Documentary: Comparsa
• Best Byron Film: Flowing Wood
• Best Surf Film (sponsored by Flite): Beyond the Break
• The Rob Stewart Conservation Award: Sea Country - Malu Lag
• Best Animation: The Wild Tempered Clavier
• Best Short Film: Bőr
• Best Screenplay: Jay Jennings for A Treacherous Country
• Best Experimental Film: Haus Tumbuna
• Best Music Video: Foster the People - Lost in Space
• Best Virtual Reality: Xian’er (Chinese Immortals)
• Best Cinematography: Champions of the Golden Valley
• Young Filmmaker of the Year (sponsored by Mercato on Byron): Tadji Ulrich for The Wake
A Celebration of Collaboration
The festival once again demonstrated the power of collaboration between filmmakers, audiences, sponsors and volunteers. Partners, including Mercato on Byron, Flite, Papa Salt, Fever Tree, Bimbadgen Wines, Heads of Noosa, Byron Bay Coffee Company and Crystal Castle, helped make BBFF 2025 a true community achievement - showing how local and national brands continue to rally behind creative culture in the Northern Rivers.
Looking Ahead: BBFF Turns 20
Next year marks a major milestone - BBFF’s 20th anniversary. Preparations are already underway for an expanded program and special retrospective events honouring two decades of cinematic creativity.
To make this celebration truly memorable, the festival has launched a new Donor Program, inviting film lovers and community members to contribute to the future of independent cinema in the Northern Rivers.
“Next year we celebrate 20 years of filmmakers who bring heart, vision and courage to the screen,” said J’aimee Skippon-Volke. “Our Donor Program will help us honour that legacy and ensure BBFF continues to inspire audiences and artists for many years to come.”
Find out more or become a donor at www.bbff.com.au/donate