Vic Sarin’s “The Lightkeeper” has emerged as the big winner at the 2026 Byron Bay International Film Festival, taking home both Best Film and Best Dramatic Feature as the event celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The festival, which ran from October 16-25 in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, recognised filmmakers across drama, documentary, animation, music, environmental storytelling and experimental cinema.
Sarin, whose international filmmaking career began behind the camera at the ABC in Australia, led a diverse field of winners at this year’s event.
Australian music documentary “That Half Barbaric Twang”, directed by Stephen Dupont, claimed Best Music Documentary, while “Crack Me Open” was named Best Documentary, and “Magic Island” secured Best Surf Film.
The Rob Stewart Conservation Award, which recognises filmmaking engaging with environmental and conservation issues, went to “Ganibarra”.
Northern Rivers filmmakers also received recognition, with Byron Bay-based director Dominic Allen winning Best Byron Film for “Tibor:, while Jake James Whitford was named Young Australia Filmmaker of the Year for “The Squatters and the Fairy Princess”.
Beyond celebrating cinematic achievements, the festival’s awards serve a broader industry purpose, providing a platform for independent filmmakers seeking to secure distribution and reach wider audiences.
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Unlike awards drawn from an entire festival program, Byron Bay Film Festival’s feature film categories specifically recognise productions that have yet to secure Australian distribution.
The distinction is designed to give emerging and established filmmakers greater visibility at a crucial stage of their projects, potentially opening doors to distributors and new audiences.
Festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke said the awards were established to recognise the determination and ambition of filmmakers working outside traditional industry sectors.
“Our awards were created to celebrate the true spirit of independent filmmaking,” Skippon-Volke said. “These are filmmakers who have had the vision, determination and courage to bring their stories to life, often without the backing of traditional industry sectors.”
The awards recognised exceptional films at a pivotal moment in their journey, Skippon-Volke added, “when filmmakers are ready to take their work out into the world, connect with audiences and find their place in the international marketplace.”
The festival’s 20th anniversary edition also recognised achievements in short filmmaking, animation, screenwriting, cinematography and music videos, underscoring the breadth of independent storytelling represented in this year’s program.
BBFF 2026 Award Winners
Best Film: “The Lightkeeper”
Best Dramatic Feature: “The Lightkeeper”
Best Documentary: “Crack Me Open”
Best Music Documentary: “That Half Barbaric Twang”
Best Surf Film: “Magic Island”
Best Short Film: “12 Points”
Best Animation: “Ducks”
Best Experimental Film: “Chaortic”
Best Screenplay: “Hell’s Gate”
Best Cinematography: “She In Storms” – Honorable Mention: “Message from Khan”
Best Music Video: Tamara Flores – “Chingona”
Rob Stewart Conservation Award: “Ganibarra”
Best Byron Film: “Tibor”
Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year: Jake James Whitford – “The Squatters and the Fairy Princess”