Zaheer Darbar – Entertaiment Editor
Diverse Stories Shine at 2026 Multicultural Film Festival During Refugee Week: Powerful stories of resilience, migration, identity, and hope took center stage as the eighth edition of the Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) 2026 premiered to a packed audience of 400 people at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne on June 18, during Refugee Week celebrations.
Presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology and SBS Australia, the festival showcased 10 remarkable short films selected from an extraordinary 767 submissions, highlighting multicultural experiences from Australia and around the world.
Hosted by former VMC Chairperson and filmmaker Helen Kapalos, the premiere celebrated stories that explored themes of belonging, displacement, friendship, resilience, family, and cultural identity.
Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award Highlights Sudanese Women’s Empowerment
One of the evening’s most significant honors, the Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award, was presented by VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen to filmmakers Deng Achieu and Jesse Matthew for their compelling short film From No Voice to Big Voice.
The powerful film follows Deborah, a young Sudanese woman who escaped the fate faced by many girls subjected to pre-arranged marriages, and chronicles her journey toward empowerment and self-determination.
The award received special recognition during Refugee Week, whose 2026 theme, “A Million Stories,” celebrates the voices and experiences of refugees and migrants worldwide.
Award-Winning Films Reflect Rich Cultural Diversity
The official selection featured filmmakers representing Chinese, Afghan, Syrian, Sudanese, Iraqi, Spanish, Japanese, and Pasifika communities.
Among the standout winners was Tabbeh, directed by Sarah Ghassali, which won Best Victorian Short Fiction Film. The Syrian-inspired narrative explores friendship and memory through a heartfelt reunion over cups of chai and a traditional game of Tabbeh.
The People’s Choice Award was awarded to With Love, Nouria, directed by Mona Uehara. The documentary reflects on the legacy of Dr. Nouria Salehi and the closing of Melbourne’s beloved Afghan Gallery Restaurant after four decades of serving food, culture, and community. The film also received an Honourable Mention for Best Victorian Short Non-Fiction Film.
Another audience favorite, Everyone Gets Bored of Everything, directed by Andrea Mudbidri, won Best National Short Film for its witty and insightful portrayal of a young woman navigating unemployment and self-discovery through everyday conversations.
Honourable Mention for Best National Short Film went to Squata Locks, directed by Jeremiah Puni, a touching Pasifika story about connection, hardship, and unexpected friendship.
Stories of Migration, Memory and Belonging
Other films featured in the official selection included:
- Huì Jiā – A moving Chinese-language story directed by Alex Nesic about an aging restaurant owner reflecting on a letter sent to her father in her homeland.
- The Sun Comes Up – Directed by Suzhen Williams, this poetic exploration of motherhood and isolation during Melbourne’s COVID lockdown received an Honourable Mention for Best Victorian Short Fiction Film.
- I Came From There – Directed by Abhishek Singh and inspired by the poetry of Sargon Boulus, this Iraqi-themed documentary explores displacement and memory.
- Maksym & Milana – Created by students of C.E.I.P. Serrería School, the film tells the story of a young Ukrainian refugee boy who befriends a Russian girl in Spain and received an Honourable Mention for the Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award.
- 20 Years Later – Directed by Youbi Lee and Taka Takiguchi, the film follows the journey of a Japanese migrant building a new life in Australia over two decades.
Cultural Performances Celebrate Refugee Week
Adding to the evening’s vibrant atmosphere were performances by South Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai and the acclaimed Ashur Folklore Ensemble, both proudly representing refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.
The performances reflected the spirit of Refugee Week and reinforced the festival’s message that storytelling through art, music, and film can bridge cultures and foster understanding.
Leaders Praise the Power of Diverse Storytelling
Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs, Ingrid Stitt, congratulated the filmmakers, cast, and crews for their creativity and dedication.
Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward highlighted the role of storytelling in helping communities connect and flourish.
VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen emphasized the festival’s broader mission.
“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. Through film, we are creating space for diverse voices to be seen, heard and valued.”
Festival Tour Continues Across Victoria
Following its successful Melbourne premiere, the Multicultural Film Festival will continue touring Victoria from July through November 2026, with screenings scheduled at Bunjil Place, Halls Gap Hub Centenary Hall, St Arnaud Community Cinema, Peninsula Cinemas and Federation Square.
The festival will also stream nationally on SBS On Demand beginning November 9, making these inspiring stories accessible to audiences across Australia for 12 months.
As the Multicultural Film Festival enters its eighth year, it continues to demonstrate the power of storytelling to connect people across cultures, languages, and generations, proving that every community has a story worth telling—and every story has the power to bring people together.
For the complete list of award winners, screening dates, and tour locations, visit Multicultural Film Festival 2026.
