Following a sold-out debut in Sydney last year, FUJIFILM Australia is taking its Creator Summit to Melbourne, hosting the second annual Creator Summit: Powered by Fujifilm on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
For the first time, the one-day festival will be held in Victoria, transforming The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne into an immersive creative hub for photographers, filmmakers and content creators.
The event brings together some of Australia’s most influential creators and industry voices for a full day of talks, workshops, live shoots and hands-on experiences.
Headliners spotlight community, purpose and platform power
Leading the 2026 program are viral podcasters Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon, who will open the day with a keynote focused on building genuine communities that extend beyond algorithm-driven engagement.
They are joined by travel photographer Jord Hammond, who will unpack how he has moved beyond the traditional influencer economy to build a purpose-led photography career.
Also taking the stage are Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski, co-founders of youth media outlet The Daily Aus, who will share insights into building a scroll-stopping modern newsroom.
Adding a platform-led perspective, Pinterest ANZ will present a session led by Head of Content Partnerships Jace Molan, alongside a group of leading creators, examining the visual trends shaping content creation in 2026 and beyond.
More than 20 sessions across craft, culture and careers
The Creator Summit program features more than 20 talks, panels, and workshops designed to appeal to creators at every stage of their journey.
Sessions range from discussions on longevity and diversification with creator Tara Chandra, to reflections on instinct, risk and career-defining moments from acclaimed surf photographer and Fujifilm X-Photographer Russell Ord.
Award-winning documentary photographer and Fujifilm X-Photographer Dr Michael Coyne will also share behind-the-scenes insights from a career spanning work with National Geographic, TIME and The New York Times, offering attendees a rare look into global documentary storytelling.
The day will be hosted by Melbourne-based creator and Style-ish podcast host Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe, with attendees encouraged to follow a “choose-your-own-adventure” format, moving freely between talks, workshops and interactive spaces.
Hands-on workshops and brand experiences
Additional sessions will be led by a wide range of visual specialists, including travel photographer Emilie Hill, visual storyteller James Tran, food photographer Vueey Le, portrait photographer Leslie Liu, filmmaker Laz Smith, motorsport photographer Andrew Hall, and Fujifilm Australia National Training and Events Specialist Charlie Blevins.
Beyond the stages, attendees will have all-day access to the Partner Hub, featuring hands-on demos and workshops from brands including ALPAKA, BenQ, Adobe, ATOMOS, RØDE, NiSi, Leofoto and Nanlite.
The Fujifilm House of Photography Pop-Up will offer exclusive event-day deals, complimentary sensor cleans and access to Fujifilm’s latest X Series, GFX and FUJINON gear.
Tickets include entry to all sessions and an exclusive goody bag valued at more than $250.
‘An event created by creators, for creators’
Shaun Mah, General Manager, Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices at FUJIFILM Australia, said the Melbourne expansion reflects the momentum behind the event.
“Whether it’s developing a signature photography style, honing visual artistry, or mastering the algorithm to turn culture into a viral moment, Creator Summit is about celebrating visual storytelling in all its forms,” Mah said.
“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, and we’re excited to see the inspiration, collaboration and learning that will take centre stage this May.”
Key details and tickets
The Creator Summit will run from 10am to 6pm at The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne. Second-release tickets are now on sale, priced at $45.
Additional media assets and information are available via the event’s media alert, here.
Top Image: Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon