Bold stories, global visions and music-infused cinema take centre stage at the 19th Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) this October.
With its theme Love Film, BBFF 2025 celebrates cinema as both an art form and a shared experience, uniting audiences through the power of story.
The festival opens with the Australian premiere of ‘Birthright’, the razor-sharp debut feature from Zoe Pepper, produced by Byron’s Cody Greenwood. A darkly funny drama with bite, the film will launch a ten-day programme of drama, documentary, short film showcases and music-driven works, beginning with a red-carpet gala at Palace Byron Bay and an after-party at Tokyo Doll.
Among the documentary highlights are ‘Comparsa’ (Guatemala), a vivid portrait of young women using street theatre to resist violence, and ‘Champions Of The Golden Valley’ (Afghanistan), where skiing becomes an act of defiance and community. Australian contributions include ‘Journey Home’, ‘Nansie’ and ‘Beyond The Break’, each offering a distinct perspective on identity, family and survival.
Environmental films are a powerful strand within the programme, with ‘Turtle Walker’, ‘Fool’s Paradise (Lost?)’ and ‘Common Wealth’ challenging audiences to rethink the systems and choices shaping our future.
‘Marlon Williams: Two Worlds – Ngā Ao E Rua’
Music has a strong presence at BBFF 2025. ‘Marlon Williams: Two Worlds – Ngā Ao E Rua’ follows one of Aotearoa’s most daring artists as he creates an album sung entirely in te reo Māori. The genre-defying ‘The Extraordinary Miss Flower’ merges cinema and performance in a striking exploration of storytelling through music.
The drama programme includes standout works such as ‘HappyEnd’, a near-future Tokyo tale of politics, rebellion and friendship, and ‘It Was Just An Accident’, the Palme d’Or-winning revenge thriller now igniting international debate.
In addition to features, BBFF will spotlight bold new voices through its short film showcases. The festival’s awards, including Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short, Best Music Video and Young Australian Filmmaker, celebrate excellence and champion the next generation of filmmakers.
For ten days this October, Byron Bay will be a hub for artists, audiences and ideas. BBFF 2025 is more than a film festival, it is a vibrant snapshot of cinema’s role in shaping culture.
Read more about the programme.
Byron Bay International Film Festival 2025 is on from 17-26 October.
