Stories of resilience, belonging and identity took centre stage in Melbourne on Wednesday as the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Multicultural Film Festival premiered before a packed audience during Refugee Week.
Held at ACMI Cinemas, the eighth edition of the festival attracted around 400 people and showcased 10 short films selected from 767 submissions, highlighting multicultural experiences in Australia and beyond.
The event was hosted by Helen Kapalos and featured stories exploring migration, community, resilience and hope.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award to filmmakers Deng Achieu and Jesse Matthew for their short film From No Voice to Big Voice.
The premiere formed part of Refugee Week 2026, whose theme this year is “A Million Stories”. Reflecting that theme, the event featured performances by South Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai and the Ashur Folklore Ensemble.
Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen said the festival plays an important role in elevating diverse voices and creating space for stories that reflect modern Australia.
“The Victorian Multicultural Commission is proud to uplift talented filmmakers through the Multicultural Film Festival, celebrating the stories that shape who we are as a community,” she said.
Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt congratulated the filmmakers and production teams involved, while Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward said diverse storytelling helps communities connect, understand and respect one another.
The festival will tour regional and metropolitan Victoria between July and November, with screenings planned at Bunjil Place, venues in the Northern Grampians region, Peninsula Cinemas and Federation Square.
The films will also be available nationally through SBS On Demand from 9 November for a 12-month streaming period.
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