Although Joseph comes from an accounting background, his true passion lies in photography and cinematography. He is a content producer working in multicultural and community spaces. Recently, Joseph was elected Chairman of the Melbourne Community Television Consortium Limited, better known as Channel 31 (C31). C31 Melbourne and Geelong is Victoria’s not-for-profit community television service, delivering locally-based entertainment, education, and information. It provides access and representation to Victoria’s many diverse communities, showcasing faces, voices, and stories often absent from mainstream media. C31 also offers a valuable platform for young people and emerging content creators to broadcast their work on our Channel —an opportunity rarely available through mainstream television channels. Each week, C31 airs over 90 new, locally-produced programs, created by community television volunteers and independent media makers.

With training in screenwriting, directing, cinematography and editing, Imoje Aikhoje has developed a multifaceted skill set that deeply informs his creative vision. Alongside directing he is currently a Senior Creative Editor at Hogarth. Originally starting out in music videos, he's gone on to direct a number of short films and work on productions for Netflix, BBC, Channel 4, CNN and Google. His work has screened across the world and featured at the Raindance Film Festival, Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival, Vancouver Independent Film Festival and London Shorts. Obsessed with intense imagery, Imoje always strives to present authentic and meaningful stories.

Siham Medjahed is a French artist and filmmaker based in Montreal. She began her career as an assistant director before moving into directing and, more recently, screenwriting and development for TV as well as film festival organization, and most recently in international co-production.

Her first film, co-directed on a zero budget, marked her entry into fully independent cinema and offered her a foundational sense of creative freedom. In 2023, she directed a short documentary as part of the Festival International du Film Océanien, in co-production with Australia. The film was screened at several festivals across Oceania and gave her the momentum to expand her practice beyond borders. She then pursued actor training in New York, strengthening her international network and deepening her understanding of the many facets of cinema. With creative partners in France, Canada, the United States, and Oceania, Siham aims to bring together artists with unique voices and to celebrate cultural diversity through artistic experimentation. Her work is rooted in mostly self-produced projects, where she explores free narrative forms and pushes the boundaries of the medium, driven by a desire for connection, exploration, and continuous learning.

Diana Páez is a Colombian-Australian filmmaker and storyteller based in Ballarat, Victoria. With over a decade of experience, she works across film and visual art to explore themes of identity, belonging, and emotional wellbeing. Her award-winning feature documentary Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) captures the lived experiences of early Spanish-speaking migrants to Australia and continues to resonate with audiences across diverse settings. Diana has been recently creating short films and mentoring emerging storytellers through community-led projects focused on cultural safety and mental health. In May 2025, her projection art installation Woven In was featured at Hidden Festival, using poetry and portraiture to highlight the visibility of diverse women in public space. Across all her work, Diana collaborates with grassroots organisations to ensure representation, amplify underrepresented voices, and support healing through creative expression.

Community and/or Cultural Background- Indian heritage

Yogi Devgan is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, and producer, whose storytelling is deeply influenced by his multicultural upbringing. Based in Australia, he is dedicated to creating films that resonate globally while championing diversity and representation. With a Bachelor of Film and Television from the University of South Australia, Yogi established Mount Lofty Studios, fostering creativity without limits. His work spans narrative films and documentaries, focusing on stories that leave a lasting impact. His latest film, A Silent Escape, has earned multiple accolades, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress at renowned film festivals. The film is now available on CHAUPAL, a global streaming platform accessible in over 244 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, and the EU. His documentary Smile, It’s Free won Best Editor and Best Documentary at multiple festivals. Beyond filmmaking, Yogi is a passionate advocate for inclusivity in cinema. In 2022, he founded the PADIF Film Festival and AFDIF Film Festival, a platform dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Through his work, Yogi continues to push boundaries, ensuring that film remains a powerful force for connection, representation, and social impact. You can learn more about Yogi through the social links below.

Ehsan Bayatfar is an Iranian-Australian actor, director, and writer based in Melbourne with over a decade of experience in theatre and film. Trained at the Samandarian Theatre Academy in Tehran, he has performed in major international festivals including Fadjr (Iran), Nandimukh (Bangladesh), Thrissur (India), and Adelaide (Australia) in the role of Behrouz Boochani. After relocating to Australia in 2019, Ehsan staged his original pantomime Mr. Nobody or How Theatre Can Change Your Decision in 30 Minutes at Meat Market (2020), and  developed it into a full-season production at The Butterfly Club (May 2025). He also performed in Encounter, a physical theatre piece directed by Wolf Heidecker, at the MC Showroom (March 2025). He directed I Am a Virtual Being, Take Photos of Me by Mohammad Rezaee Rad, with national performances in Melbourne (Oct 2023), Adelaide (Nov 2023), Sydney (Dec 2023), Brisbane (Mar 2024), and at La Mama’s Mother Tongue Festival (Nov 2024).  His film work includes Shayda (dir. Noora Niasari), which premiered at Sundance and opened Melbourne International Film Festival 2023. He is currently completing a Master’s in Creative Industries at JMC Academy. Ehsan also acted in The Unfinished Play directed by Misagh Zareh, and facilitated multiple theatre workshops for children, including a project at Dawnelle Home. During the pandemic, he produced 12 radio drama episodes for Bamdad Radio. Ehsan is also participating with the Arta Cultural Center as an art director.

Community: Disability Advocate and LGBTQIA+

Finn Dall is a writer and critic from Naarm/Melbourne interested in weird and wonderful stories. His work has been featured by ACMI, FilmInk, Kinotopia, and the Melbourne University Film Inquirer. You can follow him over on Letterboxd and Bluesky @finnwritesdall, and Instagram @finnwritesdall

Sophie is a writer and Visitor Experience Guide at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image (ACMI), frequently presenting insights about the history and technologies of film. Arthouse cinema was first introduced into their life during frequent and extended hospital stays as a child. These films acted as portals to the outside world, which allowed them to develop a keen understanding of how films can connect people over borders and cultures. They have a Bachelors of Media and Communications and are about to embark on a Master’s program to deepen their understanding of the film and arts industries. Follow their Letterboxd @snow_whiting for the latest film reviews.

Anastasiya Bura is a London-based film director and filmmaker, exploring culture and human expression around the world. Originally from Ukraine, she uses her extensive experience of living around the world to tell stories. She is currently completing her feature, “My Playground” about the intriguing world of BMX street culture. Anastasiya uses film as a tool to detangle complex personal emotions and uncover the truth.

You can find out more about Ana at her website: https://anastasiyabura.com

Rhys Purton is a Scenic Artist and Sculptor based in Melbourne, working across film, television, and live events. He has contributed to productions such as Shantaram, La Brea (Seasons 1 & 2), along with a variety of commercials, short films, and promotional material for Disney, with a focus on prop making and scenic art.

Community: Belarusian, refugee

Born in 1999 in Minsk, Belarus. Following the controversial 2020 Belarusian elections, she was subjected to political repression and persecution and was forced to flee the country. She moved to Vilnius, Lithuania, where she still lives and works. Graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Art (BA and MA, Department of Graphic Art). For more than 10 years, Palina has been developing professionally as an illustrator, and in recent years, she has begun to delve deeper into the field of animation. In 2023 - 2024, she directed the award-winning short film “Straight and in a Circle”. Now she works as a 2D artist-animator in the ArtShot studio in Lithuania, Vilnius, on the children's animated series "BFF". You can learn more about Palina in social links below, Behance, FilmFreeway and Vimeo.

Nicolas Flamont is a Melbourne based actor and filmmaker, who’s worked on a variety of films, short films and miniseries, particularly exploring stories of youth in isolation against an urban backdrop.