POSFF 2026: Over 600 Attendees Celebrate Pacific Film, Culture and Community

The Pacific Ocean Short Film Festival 2026 marked an exciting new chapter for POSFF, bringing together film, culture, live performance, food and community for a memorable evening at Pacific Market Melbourne in Ardeer on 14 March 2026.

With more than 600 people attending throughout the event, the festival transformed Pacific Market Melbourne into a vibrant celebration of Pacific creativity and storytelling.

15 Films. Many Stories. One Pacific.

At the heart of POSFF 2026 was a specially curated program of 15 short films, showcasing filmmakers and stories connected to the Pacific.

The films explored culture, identity, family, migration, community and the experiences of Pacific people both in the islands and throughout the diaspora.

One of the night's major award recipients was Caleb Young, whose film Sand Bank received the Best Short Film Award.

Melbourne filmmaker Anne McNeill's Woven also connected strongly with audiences and was voted the Viewers' Favourite Film of the Night. The documentary follows Papua New Guinean friends Aunty Elvie and Aunty Betty and explores weaving, cultural identity and the importance of passing culture on to future generations.

The festival also recognised emerging Pacific talent, with Tiana Tupe receiving the Emerging Performer Award for her performance as Luann in a film directed by Kuresa Tapula'aia.

More Than a Film Screening

POSFF has always aimed to be more than simply watching films on a screen.

The 2026 festival brought the atmosphere of the Pacific to Melbourne through live cultural performances, community participation and food.

Audiences were treated to a beautiful performance by the Pasefika Vitoria Choir, while the Heuraveni Cultural Dancers brought Pacific dance, colour and energy to the festival stage.

Around the venue, food trucks and vendors added another dimension to the experience, giving families and guests an opportunity to eat, meet, talk and enjoy the festival together.

With films presented on a large outdoor screen, the evening created a relaxed and welcoming environment where people could bring their families, sit together and experience Pacific storytelling under the Melbourne night sky. The festival was promoted as a family-friendly outdoor event combining films, cultural performances, filmmaker engagement and Pacific food.

Over 600 People Through the Festival

One of the most encouraging outcomes from POSFF 2026 was the response from the community. More than 600 attendees came through Pacific Market Melbourne during the event, making it the largest POSFF gathering to date.

For a growing independent film festival, the turnout demonstrated that there is a genuine audience for Pacific cinema in Melbourne — and an appetite for events that bring Pacific film, food, performance and community together in the same space. It also showed what POSFF can become.

What began as an idea to create more opportunities for Pacific filmmakers is developing into a platform where filmmakers can have their work seen, emerging creatives can be recognised and Pacific communities can come together to celebrate their stories.

Building a Platform for Pacific Filmmakers

POSFF exists to amplify the voices, cultures and creative visions of Pacific filmmakers. The festival provides a space for emerging and established storytellers to share films that might not always receive opportunities through traditional cinema and festival pathways.

The 2026 event reinforced the importance of creating those spaces.

Filmmakers were not simply names in a program. Their stories were placed in front of a live audience, audiences had the opportunity to respond to the work, and awards recognised filmmakers and performers whose work made an impact.

That connection between filmmaker, story and community remains at the centre of what POSFF is building.

Thank You to Our Community

An event of this size would not have been possible without the people and organisations who supported it.

POSFF extends its sincere thanks to Pacific Market Melbourne for hosting the festival and providing a space where our vision for an outdoor Pacific film and cultural celebration could come to life. Our Partners - Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, and our community sponsor - National Gallery of Victoria.

We also thank the Pasefika Vitoria Choir, Heuraveni Cultural Dancers, participating filmmakers, performers, food vendors, volunteers, judges, Master of Ceremonies - Steve Tafea supporters and every member of the community who attended.

Most importantly, thank you to the filmmakers who trusted POSFF with their stories.

Every film submitted, selected and screened contributes to the larger goal of creating a stronger platform for Pacific storytelling.

Looking Ahead to POSFF 2027

Following the success of 2026, the Pacific Ocean Short Film Festival is already looking towards its next chapter.

POSFF 2027 will take place on 24 April 2027, with submissions now open to filmmakers. The festival is also expanding its program with a curated International Short Film selection, bringing outstanding international stories alongside its continuing focus on Pacific filmmakers and Pacific storytelling.

The vision continues to grow, but the purpose remains the same:

To give Pacific stories a screen, Pacific filmmakers a platform, and audiences an opportunity to experience the incredible creativity coming from our region and our communities around the world.

Submissions for the POSFF 2027 Season are now open. Submit your film here

Filmmakers from across the Pacific and around the world are invited to be part of the next chapter of the Pacific Ocean Short Film Festival.