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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026
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Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

‘Coal mines are writing the laws’

The Minns government has announced it will bypass the independent planning process and legislate an increase in coal production at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant mine, following the landmark High Court decision that found the mine's expansion approval was invalid because the climate pollution from exported coal had not been properly considered.

Nuclear hypocrisy

Nothing illustrates Western hypocrisy quite like the double standards applied to nuclear weapons. Trump insists the US-Israeli aggression against...

Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

For the past 63 years Byron Bay and Ballina lady golfers have had a fierce but friendly rivalry for the Wallace Shield. Even COVID couldn't spoil the party, although the competition was played with certain restrictions.

Free Musicland talk in Byron

Local author Tricia Shantz will be talking about a seminal time and place in her new book Musicland: When the Music Came to Byron 1970–1995 at the Byron Bay Library on Thursday, 29 October at 3pm.

Wanderlust come to Mullum

Wanderlust invites the community to a magical evening celebrating connection and conscious living at the Wanderlust Night Market.

Old Ways New Ways exhibition open in Lismore

A group exhibition, Old Ways <> New Ways, is now open at Elevator ARI, 3 Rural Street, Lismore as part of The Returning’s Indigenous Artist Residency.

Stories about "drug law reform":

What happened to the war on drugs?

When it comes to drugs like cannabis and psilocybin, as the USA moves steadily towards decriminalisation, regulation and therapeutic reform, Australia's laws remain largely stuck in the past.

Steve Bolt talks activism and the law

Lismore-based lawyer Steve Bolt has recently retired, after thirty years of practice in the Northern Rivers. The Echo caught up with this illustrious local legal legend to talk about the intersection of activism and the law, in his own life and the wider community.

Cannabis laws steeped in racist US past

NSW now lags the nation in drug law reform. Qld has just decriminalised possession of small quantities of all drugs, including ice and heroin.

Jeremy Buckingham back to legalise cannabis

Former NSW Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham is back on the hustings as the lead upper house candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party in the NSW state election.

Election candidates disclose their drug use history

With Greens MP Cate Faehrmann’s admission recently that she has taken illegal substances, what better opportunity to ask the three state election candidates about their own drug use?

The war on a gentle weed is totally absurd

Chibo Mertineit, Lillian Rock. Are we ruled by a holy mob? Just found an article reminding me that in 1998 the UN (United Nations) General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (just had a meeting last week) decided to eradicate the Coca plant, poppy seed plant and the cannabis plant by 2008 for an annual cost of half a billion dollars each of the ten years.

Green talks on drug decriminalisation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbuP1FxEtp4 The Australian Greens will continue a national drug decriminalisation tour this week, holding round table meetings on ending prosecutions for individual user. Greens leader Richard...

Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?