13.2 C
Byron Shire
July 4, 2026

Byron film fest faces virtual reality check

Latest News

Vale Eve Sinton 20/11/52–30/06/26

In February this year, Eve Sinton was admitted to Tamworth Hospital. All tests and biopsies were taken. Before announcing the diagnosis to Eve, the doctor asked ‘First Please tell me what was your occupation?’ Eve replied, ‘I am a journalist’.

Other News

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly. 

Vale Eve Sinton 20/11/52–30/06/26

In February this year, Eve Sinton was admitted to Tamworth Hospital. All tests and biopsies were taken. Before announcing the diagnosis to Eve, the doctor asked ‘First Please tell me what was your occupation?’ Eve replied, ‘I am a journalist’.

Youth court diversion initiative given a boost

Murwillumbah youth advocacy and training organisation, RiverTracks has secured $20,000 in one-off state government funding to run its Youth Court Support and Diversion Initiative as a pilot program over the next 12 months.

Calls for more public transport

Public transport in the Northern Rivers currently consists of a few buses that run infrequently and have very few...

Global Ripple steps up to assist Fletcher Street Cottage

A long-standing supporter of Byron Community Centre, Global Ripple, has stepped forward with a generous 'EOFY Matched
Giving Challenge'.



Mullum water

Thanks councillors Warth, Hauge, Ndiaye, Kay and Lowe for holding the line against the conservatives (Lyon, Dods and Labor)...

bbff
Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) director, J’aimee Skippon-Volke (left) and filmmaker Andy Walker take a virtual reality check before this week’s big event. Photo Jeff ‘reality is just virtual’ Dawson

Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) director, J’aimee Skippon-Volke, is having a little difficulty distinguishing between reality and virtual reality these days.

After weeks of sifting through movies and some of the world’s most cutting-edge virtual reality and immersion technology, the appearance of Bunny Racket (aka Andy Walker) in her office had her questioning her reality.

Bunny Racket’s hilarious A Chicken Is Not A Fruit is one of 23 local films to screen at this year’s BBFF.

The festival will also include Ncube8 and some of the best virtual reality experiences you’ll see anywhere.

Opening night at the Byron Community Centre is this Friday and other screenings are at the Community Centre, Pighouse Flicks, Brunswick Picture House and Murwillumbah’s Regent Cinema.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Positive future for Byron’s visitor economy

Last Thursday saw Destination Byron bring together over 150 attendees looking at the future of Byron and its visitor economy.

Pet adoption day – 4 July in Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday, 4 July from 10am until 1pm at the NRAS Rescue Shelter at 61 Piper Drive, Ballina.

Artists sought to transform factory space into multi-artform event

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for artists to transform a former factory in Lismore – The Joinery – through performance, installation and site-responsive art.

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly.