Byron Bay Film Festival

The 2011 Byron Bay International Film Festival  

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE:  29/10/2010

REGULAR ENTRY DEADLINE: 29/09/2010 

5th Byron Bay International Film Festival March 4th to 13th 2011

The 2011 BBFF will screen for 10 days in beautiful sub-tropical Byron Bay, the first place in Australia to receive the sun, providing filmmakers with the opportunity to present their work at a truly distinctive film festival. Located just a short stroll from one of the world’s finest surf beaches, this Festival attracts International filmmakers, directors, producers, performers, cultural tourists and prominent members of Australia’s film industry, not to mention plenty of appreciative locals.

As animated and experimental films continue to grow in popularity so too does the awareness of these often overlooked genres.  BBFF is no exception to this and is an exciting avenue to showcase animated and experimental films in a world-class environment.  These genres of filmmaking are a major part of our program and always prove greatly popular with judges and audiences alike. 

If your film is 2D, 3D, Flash, Stop motion, Claymation, Traditional or Machinima it could win BBFF’s Best Animation Award.  If it’s quirky or unique, artistic, surreal, invoking, abstract, poetic or just plain strange maybe it’s a contender for the Best Experimental Film Award – or both!

The range of films we screen is diverse and dynamic – we particularly seek films which reflect the values held by our vibrant local community which may include: creativity and the arts; human rights, diversity and multiculturalism; the natural environment and environmental issues; indigenous culture; innovation; spirituality and healing; conscious thinking and positive living; music; humour; and surfing. Our programming, however, is not limited to these themes as our priority is transporting our audience and their imaginations to worlds outside of their own. 

BBFF is passionate about supporting independent filmmakers in all stages of their careers and we believe in creating positive opportunities wherever possible - showcasing the amazing works of talented creatives to an open, intelligent audience as well as some well connected, highly respected Judges. Our judging panels have included representatives from Australia’s top distribution companies including Lionsgate, Dendy Films, Paramount Pictures, the ABC, World Movies Channel, Rialto Distribution, Accent Film, Palace Films and many more.  

All films entered will automatically be considered for nomination in any award categories that the film might qualify for during the selection process. Our other awards include but are not limited to Best Film, Documentary, Short Film, Drama, Cinematography, Surf Film, Environmental Film, Music Video, Best Young Australian Filmmaker (open to Australian Director’s and Producer’s under 25) plus an award for the Best Local Film. Filmmakers are encouraged to use the paperless entry system Withoutabox and further details can be found at www.bbff.com.au [1]

Filmmaker David Lee Miller says “We have travelled the world with our film, My Suicide, from Berlinale to San Francisco, and the Byron Bay Film Festival is absolutely world class -- filmmaker friendly, professionally run, and featuring top notch, bleeding-edge independent films.  Add the inspirational setting and the people, and the gestalt is pure magic!” 

 The Byron Bay International Film Festival is open to films of all lengths and all genres. Films in competition must have been completed after Jan 1st 2008. 

info@bbff.com.au [2]