Schools Program

Available Venues Include:

  • Entrance to Palace Cinemas with illuminated sign, glass doors, and a mural of a silhouette of a person playing a flute on the wall.

    PALACE CINEMAS

    BYRON BAY

  • exterior view of Lismore Cinemas

    LISMORE CINEMAS

    LISMORE

  • Empty movie theater with red seats and a large blank screen.

    PALACE - BALLINA FAIR

    BALLINA

  • BRUNSWICK PICTURE HOUSE

    BRUNSWICK HEADS

  • An exterior view of the Drill Hall Mullumbimby

    THE DRILL HALL

    MULLUMBIMBY

BBFF’s School’s Program is supported by

The Bond university logo

School Screenings That Inspire and Empower

October 19 - 23 | Byron Bay, Ballina, Mullumbimby, Lismore & Brunswick Heads

The Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) warmly invites local educators and students to experience the power of storytelling through film during our 2026 Schools Program, proudly supported by Bond University.

From Monday 19 to Friday 23 October, schools across the Northern Rivers can participate in specially curated cinema experiences at venues in Byron Bay, Ballina, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and Lismore.

🎒 Inspiring Young Minds Through Film

Each year, BBFF selects a diverse program of animation, live-action, and documentary films from hundreds of national and international submissions. These age-appropriate sessions are designed to:

  • Expand students’ horizons

  • Stimulate critical thinking

  • Spark creative expression

  • Provide meaningful discussion starters in the classroom

We offer tailored sessions for both Primary and Secondary students, giving teachers flexibility and confidence to choose the best fit for their class.

🍿 A Day Out With a Difference

Flexible session times to suit your school’s schedule

Affordable, educational, and unforgettable

Enjoy a cinema visit, a treat at the candy bar, and (venue depending) the option of a walkable excursion

Make a day of it with a class picnic in one of our local parks or beaches

In response to teacher feedback, we’re exploring a Double Feature option - giving students a full day of learning and entertainment through film. Let us know if your school would be interested.

📚 Why Participate?

Since 2007, BBFF has delivered enriching, accessible film experiences for local students. Our Schools Program supports:

  • Curriculum-linked learning

  • Cultural literacy and global perspectives

  • Youth engagement in the creative art

  • Whether you’re aiming to complement your lessons, reward your students, or simply inspire them with big-screen magic, BBFF’s Schools Program is an experience they’ll remember.

✉️ Book Now

To express interest or secure your session email Lee Purdie: schools@bbff.com.au

2025 PROGRAM

  • An image of two boys sitting next to each other

    PRIMARY PROGRAM

    An engaging introduction to international storytelling through playful, imaginative and heartfelt films.

    Exploring friendship, difference, family, creativity and the natural world, the program encourages younger students to look at familiar things in new ways -and discover how many different forms a story can take.

    Explore the films in BBFF2026’s program.

    Schools taking part will also receive a detailed teaching kit tailored for Primary School students that supports film appreciation and a deeper exploration of filmmaking, identifying themes and developing ideas.

    LEARN MORE
  • Poster for the Byron Bay International Film Festival displaying three images in a film strip and the text 'High Schools: Elemental Transitions.' The images include a woman rock climbing, a boy holding a stick with smoke in the background, and a woman in armor with red hair in an indoor setting. The background features a cloudy sky and ocean scene.

    HIGH SCHOOLS PROGRAM

    A thought-provoking collection of films examining identity, culture, family, technology, displacement, First Nations knowledge and our relationship with the natural world.

    The program invites secondary students to engage with complex ideas, consider perspectives beyond their own and examine how filmmakers use image, sound and narrative to communicate meaning.

    Take a look at the films we’re offering High Schools in 2026.

    Schools taking part will also receive a detailed teachers kit tailored for High Schools students of all ages that supports deeper exploration of filmmaking, visual language, and cinematic ideas.

    LEARN MORE