Film festival kicks off

Byron Bay Film Festival crew preparing for opening night rear from left, Nick Foley, Rheannon Martin, executive producer Greg Aitken, Sunita Bailey, and Kerry Larvin, and front from left, Jeni Gonzalez, and Luc Frost.

David Nielsen

THE Byron Bay International Film Festival kicks off tonight with a gala red carpet and opening party.

Celebrating the centenary of film in Byron Bay, this year’s festival runs until Saturday, March 13.

“Opening night sold out yesterday,” festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said.

“We have film-makers and special guests arriving from around Australia and the world to join us here in Byron Bay. It’s very exciting.

“A real highlight of the festival will be the session of work from young Australian film-makers.

“This session will be attended by Rhys Wakefield (Home and Away), from The Black Balloon, as well as a number of young directors.”

With Byron Bay such a popular celebrity hang-out, every year rumours abound as to which famous faces will turn up to the festival. Previous years have seen Jack Johnson, Stephen Curry and Chris Haywood attend.

Screening tonight are two highly-acclaimed films Dark Horse, a short film by Australian director Marc Furmie, and BAS! Beyond the Red Light, a study of child trafficking by former Byron Shire resident Wendy Champagne.