The big film festivals in the capital cities tend to steal all the headlines, but Australia has several great smaller film festivals dedicated to bringing cinema goers a selection of some of the most exciting new films. The Byron Bay International Film Festival is celebrating its 11th season this year with a strong lineup of films including many to tempt music lovers.
An American in Texas tells the story of Surgeon General’s Warning, a punk band looking to bust out of their Texan small town in 1990. Then there’s Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy, about Djalu Gurruwiwi, a proud Yolngu warrior fighting to preserve his culture with the help of Gotye. Aussie music lovers will also leap at the chance to see The Go-Betweens: Right Here, a doco about the Australian indie rock pioneers.
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World will close out the festival. It tells the story of Native American music makers who helps shape the soundtrack of our lives, which is ground I haven’t really seen covered in music docos before. It features interviews and appearances by a who’s who of influences including Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson, Buddy Guy, Steven Van Zandt, Taj Mahal, Steve Tyler, Jackson Browne, and heaps more.
The Byron Bay International Film Festival takes place from October 6 to 15. Tickets are on sale now from the festival’s website.