Fujifilm Australia Announces the Second Annual Creator Summit: Powered by Fujifilm
Following a sold-out debut in Sydney last year, Fujifilm Australia is hosting the second annual Creator Summit: Powered by Fujifilm. On Saturday, 9 May 2026, Australia’s most exciting creators, storytellers and industry voices will come together for a jam-packed day of talks, workshops, live shoots and hands-on experiences.
For the first time, the one-day festival is heading to Melbourne, transforming The Timber Yard into an immersive creative hub. Attendees can step behind the lens, experiment with new techniques, and connect with like-minded photographers, filmmakers and content creators.
Leading the 2026 program are viral podcasters Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon, who will open the day with a keynote on building genuine communities that show up beyond the algorithm. Jord Hammond will delve into how he journeyed beyond the influencer economy to build a purpose-led photography career.
They are joined by Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski, co-founders of youth media powerhouse The Daily Aus, who will unpack how they built a scroll-stopping modern newsroom. Adding an industry-wide lens, Pinterest ANZ will take the stage with Head of Content Partnerships Jace Molan and a line-up of the country’s top Pinfluencers, revealing the visual trends shaping content creation in 2026 and beyond.
Across more than 20 talks, panels and workshops, the program spans culture, craft and career — offering something for creators at every stage. From navigating longevity and diversification with Tara Chandra, to reflections on risk, instinct and career-defining moments with acclaimed surf and Fujifilm X-Photographer Russell Ord, the day blends big-picture thinking with practical insight. Award-winning documentary photographer and Fujifilm X-Photographer Dr Michael Coyne will share stories from a career spanning National Geographic, TIME and The New York Times, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at documentary storytelling on a global scale.
Guiding the program is Melbourne-based creator and host of Shameless Media’s Style-ish podcast, Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe. Attendees can choose their own adventure, moving freely between talks, workshops and interactive spaces, tailoring the experience to their interests, skill level and creative curiosity.
Additional sessions will be led by visual specialists and creative leaders from across photography, filmmaking and content creation, including:
- Emilie Hill: Travel photographer and creator of the ethereal @helloemilie.
- James Tran: Photographer and visual storyteller known for exploring light and movement.
- Vueey Le: Food photographer turning texture, colour and flavour into art, leading *Sip, Shoot, Repeat*, a hands-on workshop dedicated to capturing cocktails and colour.
- Leslie Liu: Portrait photographer blending fashion, theatre and editorial storytelling, hosting *Café de Paris*, a stylised Parisian café set where fashion, portraiture and performance collide.
- Laz Smith: Photographer, filmmaker and founder of creative studio Coeur Visual, hosting Hit Record Live, where attendees can step behind the lens to help film a real music video complete with live performance and lighting.
- Andrew Hall: Award-winning action and motorsport photographer, leading Freeze the Moment, focused on mastering speed, movement and action photography.
- Charlie Blevins: Photographer and National Training & Events Specialist at Fujifilm Australia, hosting practical sessions designed to help attendees get more from their gear.
Beyond the stages, Creator Summit includes all-day access to the Partner Hub, where leading creative brands — including ALPAKA, BenQ, Adobe, ATOMOS, RØDE, NiSi, Leofoto and Nanlite — will host hands-on demos and workshops. The Fujifilm House of Photography Pop-Up will offer exclusive event-day deals, complimentary sensor cleans, and the chance to get up close with Fujifilm’s latest X Series, GFX and FUJINON gear.
Tickets include access to all sessions across the program, plus an exclusive goody bag valued at over $250.
Shaun Mah, General Manager, Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices at Fujifilm Australia, said:
“Whether it’s developing a signature photography style, honing your visual artistry, or mastering the algorithm to turn culture into a viral moment, Creator Summit is about celebrating visual storytelling in all its forms. Our lineup for the 2026 event reflects this, featuring incredible talent from the likes of viral podcast sensations Toni and Ryan to Jord Hammond.
After the incredible response to our sold-out Sydney event last year, we’re excited to bring the next chapter to Melbourne — going bigger while keeping the experience hands-on and welcoming. It’s an event created by creators for creators, so we’re excited to see the inspiration, collaboration and learning that will take centre stage at The Timber Yard this May at what is fast becoming a must-attend event for Australia’s creative community.”
Key Details
- What: The Creator Summit: Powered by Fujifilm
- Where: The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne
- When: Saturday, 9 May 2026, 10am – 6pm
- Tickets: Early bird tickets on sale now for $45
To check out the full event line-up, purchase tickets and stay up to date on the latest news, visit the Fujifilm House of Photography site [HERE].