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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

Reef-building corals face elevated risk of extinction

A new paper from Dr C. Isabel Núñez Lendo shows nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction.

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.

Big meeting for Ballina Council this week

The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.

Music overtones at Byron Bay International Film Festival

From the extraordinary life and legacy of Marianne Faithfull to the raw energy of Australia’s 1995 Summersault tour, a larrikin road trip through the Australian bush and the next generation of music video makers, music runs through this year’s Byron Bay International Film Festival. 

Foreshore Italian

Foreshore Italian brings the warmth, generosity and simplicity of Italian cooking to Elements of Byron, celebrating the pleasure of good food, fresh ingredients and shared dining experiences.

Have you visited our local hospital lately?

Has anyone had experience of visiting outpatients in one of our local public hospitals lately? What were your impressions?...

Stories about "rough sleepers":

Drop in rough sleeper number for Byron Shire 

The 2025 rough sleepers count has seen a 16 per cent drop in rough sleepers across the Byron Shire from 2024. 

Safe place for car sleepers to be explored in Byron

Byron Shire Council could create a designated space for people sleeping in their cars in a bid to provide safety and some basic amenities for this part of the Shire’s growing homeless community.

Ballina Council to ‘investigate’ rough sleeper options

All Ballina Shire Councillors, bar the Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, voted to investigate Flat Rock Tent Park ‘or another suitable site… for the purposes of providing safe and affordable accommodation to rough sleepers’.

Poverty issues biting in Ballina – what to do?

Ballina Cr Kiri Dicker is bringing a number of motions to the next meeting of Ballina Council intended to address some of the effects of the cost of living crisis, particularly the growing number of rough sleepers.

Sleeping rough raises much-needed funds

Last Saturday night saw around 40 people rug up and sleep rough for one night for the inaugural Big Byron Sleepout, which was held to raise money for  frontline service, the Fletcher Street Cottage.

Homelessness service funded – but only for a year

With 2024 Street Count data indicating a 16 per-cent increase in rough sleepers in Byron Shire, the NSW government has responded to say that the previously-announced Assertive Outreach team will receive $1.3m in funding for a year.

Sleepbus service opens in Ballina

Sleepbus, the innovative solution for rough sleepers, has opened in Ballina after relocating from Byron Bay.

Hot showers for rough sleepers in Brunswick Heads

Hot showers are something that many people take for granted, but for those sleeping rough they can be difficult to access.

Byron homelessness service faces funding shortfall

A vital homelessness service in the heart of Byron Bay could be forced to cut services without additional donations from the community.

Cost of living could be eased with surplus  

Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells us the budget surplus this financial year ballooned from an expected $4.2 billion out to $19 billion. Ordinary Australians, desperately trying to keep their budgets under control and cost cutting wherever they can, should expect some kind of relief from this surprise windfall.

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?