Celebrating Multicultural voices on screen

On 19 June 2025, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology, presented the annual Multicultural Film Festival to a packed house at ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square.

The power of film lies in its ability to move, inspire and connect us—and nowhere is this more evident than at the Multicultural Film Festival (MFF).

Each year, the festival shines a light on stories of cultural diversity and the lived experiences of people in multicultural Victoria, a state enriched by the world’s oldest continuous cultures and over 300 ancestries.

Coinciding with Refugee Week, the program spotlighted stories of resilience and hope, and introduced the inaugural Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award—presented by VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen to the creators of The Way to Freedom, a moving film that deeply resonated with audiences. The film powerfully captured the journey of displacement, struggle, and ultimately triumph, echoing the real-life experiences of thousands of people who have rebuilt their lives in Australia.

The evening was enriched by live performances from artists of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, weaving together song, dance, and spoken word into a tapestry of cultural expression. These performances not only showcased artistic talent but also underscored the vital role the arts play in healing and rebuilding communities. The event also marked the launch of the Friends of MFF program—a new initiative of industry professionals, filmmakers, and advocates coming together to foster year-round community engagement and sustainable support for diverse storytelling.

Segmento is a proud supporter of the MFF, and as part of this year’s festival, the Segmento Foundation screened a 30-minute short, Echoes of Traditions, out-of-competition, which was received with a rousing applause that lasted well over five minutes.

Echoes of Traditions was produced in association with CO.AS.IT., Regione Calabria, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and the State Government of Victoria. It traces the vibrant journey of the tarantella from its ancient roots in the hills of Calabria to its modern-day expression in Melbourne through the annual Segmento Tarantella Festival. The film is a rich homage to cultural continuity, documenting how traditions evolve yet retain their essence when passed down through generations and across continents.

Through interviews with several Italian and Australian folk musicians, the film offers an intimate portrait of the role the tarantella—and folk music more broadly—has played, and continues to play, in a multicultural society. It highlights how the tarantella serves as a universal language that brings people together, no matter their origins. This shared rhythm of tradition becomes a vessel for memory, identity, and collective joy.

In Australia, people often carry multiple, overlapping identities that shape how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others. These identities can be personal, social, political, or contextual, and they influence our sense of belonging, our values, our behaviour, and our interactions. Herein lies the importance of events such as the MFF. They serve as spaces for reflection, celebration, and dialogue—platforms where complex identities can be expressed and understood through the power of storytelling.

The MFF Official Selection includes 15 compelling short films chosen from over 1,275 submissions, each exploring the depth and beauty of our shared multicultural identity. These films span genres, languages, and themes—from intergenerational conflict and cross-cultural friendship, to migration, food, music, and heritage. The selection reflects the breadth of talent emerging from communities that are too often underrepresented in mainstream media.

The Multicultural Film Festival is now on tour, bringing these remarkable stories to communities across Victoria, from regional towns to metropolitan hubs. For those who are unable to attend in person, the festival will be available nationwide. Beginning 10 November 2025, audiences across Australia can stream the MFF program for free on SBS On Demand, ensuring these stories of cultural pride and diversity reach living rooms around the country.

The Multicultural Film Festival is more than just a celebration of cinema—it’s a platform for voices that deserve to be heard, stories that need to be told, and communities that continue to shape Australia’s rich and evolving cultural identity. As audiences laugh, cry, and reflect together, the MFF reminds us of the profound beauty that emerges when many cultures share one screen.