By Ruby Doan

This year’s Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) showcases a range of emotive cinematic pieces in which individuals adapt to new environments, engage with cultural customs and honor individual identity.

The MFF on Tour has returned to Victoria, presenting inspiring stories of Australia’s multicultural community.

Key partners include, though not limited to, John Safran, award winning writer and filmmaker, as well as Ra Chapman, AWGIE nominated writer, creator and actor.

Partnering with seasoned producers and industry specialists to promote inclusive narratives, the VMC promote diverse voices to nurture Australia’s wave of emerging talent.

Some notable winning films include The Way to Freedom, You Are My Tomorrow, and Housekeepers.

The Way to Freedom, produced and directed by Hussam Saraf and Daryll McConnell, is the winner of the VCM sponsored Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award.

The documentary features refugees escaping war-ravaged countries seeking protection and a fresh start in Australia.

Saraf and McConnel follow immigrants who have taken refuge in Greater Shepparton from their arrival and throughout their gradual integration with their community.

Utilising deeply personal interviews and narratives, The Way to Freedom illustrates how education and community relationships are pivotal in cultivating hope and perseverance.

Directed and written by Lara Köse, produced by William Duan and Molly O’Connor, You Are My Tomorrow won Swinburne University of Technology’s funded Best Victorian Short Film award.

The film is an intimate depiction of Esra, a young art student’s journey as she juggles life and caring for her mentally unstable mother.

Duty, culturally imposed expectations and responsibility keep Esra confined in a harsh and unending cycle of caregiving obligations, painting a reflexive portrayal of how transgenerational psychological trauma plagues immigrant families.

Mechanical Resonance, directed, written and produced by Juejun Chen, is the winner of Segmento sponsored Best International Short Film.

The contemplative and exploratory documentary examines the mark that rigorous dance training leaves on one’s body, capturing how a dancer navigates her experience with demanding lessons as a child and the everlasting effects.

Attend MFF screenings to view winners of the Best Victorian Short Non-Fiction Film, Best National Short Film award and People’s Choice Award for Best Victorian Short Film.

Through the MFF, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) aims to promote inclusivity, celebrate cultural diversity and enhance social unity throughout the state.

Upcoming screenings will be occurring at the University of Melbourne’s Shepparton campus, RMIT University’s Melbourne campus, Rosebud cinema in Mornington Peninsula Shire and Federation Square on the outdoor screen.

If you happen to miss out, the MFF will be on SBS On Demand from November 10, 2025, to November 9, 2026.

To experience the MFF in person, see the screening schedule and book your tickets: https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/multicultural-film-festival