It’s BBFF’s 10th anniversary this year. Get set for a birthday blast across 10 days of cinematic celebration, with world premieres, parties, workshops, conversations, food and drink and, of course, films – more than 180 of them to choose from.
Here are 10 suggestions to help maximise your BBFF16 experience:
1) Frock up and rock up to the Opening Night Red Carpet Gala, Byron Bay’s most glamorous party of the year; rub shoulders with the stars and celebrities, enjoy tasty treats courtesy of the local Republik restaurant, then settle in for a stunning film, Zach’s Ceremony.
2) Get on The Bus – the Magic Bus that is, for a trip from Byron to Brunswick Heads Picture House to see Going Furthur. Tune in as the son of acid pioneer Ken Kesey takes his psychedelic bus filled with a new generation of Merry Pranksters across America, visiting rock festivals and alarming the straights. Good vibrations!
3) Put the goggles on and engage with an exciting new world of virtual reality. Using the latest VR technology the festivals’ Ncube8 sessions will allow festival attendees to experience innovative interactive virtual reality software demos, taking you on a spacewalk, painting with light or making music in a virtual studio. You’ll be transported somewhere worlds away while never leaving the room.
4) Hear how from the horses mouth … For the first time BBFF is opening its Filmmakers’ Breakfast to the public to hear filmmakers interviewed and stories shared over the best meal of the day. Get up close and personal with our VIPs – and what better venue than Beach, Byron Bay? Stay for an hour or tune in for the whole event.
5) Listen to the music at the APRA AMCOS Music Video Award night. Join the filmmakers and musicians behind 20 of the hottest music videos submitted to this year’s festival at a special screening at the freshly revamped Byron Bay Brewery, when the APRA AMCOS Music Video Award will be presented to one of them.
6) Expand your awareness and be amazed by Australiana Marijuana, the ground-breaking documentary on the cannabis culture in Australia which has its World Premiere at BBFF.
7) Cheer the protectors of the land at The Bentley Effect, another locally made documentary which tells the story of the Northern Rivers, where corporate forces were repelled by people power.
8) Fly like an eagle: That’s what it will feel like at least, as the bird’s eye view of the opening scenes of The Eagle Huntress about a 13-year-old Mongolian girl … her expertise in the ancient art of using birds to prey to hunt.
9) Vote for your favourite film. The10th festival will feature its very first Audience Favourite Award.
10) Partake in the wrap party. The closing night celebrations are your opportunity to reflect upon the ideas, the passion, the creative magic shared during this 10-day extravaganza. Connect with the people whose work made you laugh and cry; celebrate their achievement with conversation, music, fine food and wine. Fully catered by Republik.
See you there!
