The 2025 Multicultural Film Festival premiered this week at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne’s Federation Square, drawing a full house of 400 and placing a spotlight firmly on stories shaped by resilience, displacement, and belonging.
Presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology, the festival aligned its premiere with Refugee Week, framing this year’s showcase as more than a celebration of culture—it became a reflection of lived experience.
Twelve short films made the cut from more than 1,275 submissions, each capturing slices of multicultural life in Australia and abroad. The standout on opening night was The Way to Freedom, the recipient of the festival’s new Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award. VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen, who presented the honour, said the film struck a deep emotional chord with the audience and embodied the spirit of the event.
The newly introduced award builds on the tradition of the Chairperson’s Awards and reflects a growing emphasis on refugee and asylum seeker stories, particularly in the current social and political climate. Nguyen described the festival as a “powerful platform” for challenging stereotypes and deepening community understanding. “It’s these types of storytelling via films that contribute to a better understanding of one another to strengthen the harmony in our multicultural society,” she said.
Beyond the screen, the event embraced the broader Refugee Week theme through its entertainment program. The audience was welcomed by Somali journalist Najma Sambul as MC, followed by performances from Ethiopian-Australian soul artist Soli Tesema and a high-energy Afghan dance ensemble. Most of the evening’s performers proudly identified as either former refugees or asylum seekers.
Another first for the festival was the launch of the Friends of MFF program, designed to keep the storytelling alive throughout the year. The initiative aims to grow community engagement and build a sustainable support base for diverse filmmakers.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt praised the creativity and courage behind the stories shared, saying, “Through your creativity, you’ve helped shine a light on the rich, multicultural fabric that makes Victoria stronger and more united.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs Iwan Walters added, “By sharing stories from refugee and asylum seeker communities, this year’s festival helps build empathy, understanding and pride in the diversity that defines modern Victoria.”
Following its Melbourne premiere, the festival will tour across Victoria from July to October, stopping at venues including Bunjil Place in Narre Warren, the University of Melbourne campus in Shepparton, RMIT in Melbourne’s CBD, and Rosebud Cinema in the Mornington Peninsula Shire. A final showcase is planned back at Federation Square before the program moves online.
For those outside Victoria, the full festival will be made available nationally through SBS On Demand starting 10 November 2025—expanding the reach of these stories far beyond the walls of any cinema.
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