CREATIVE DIRECTIONS 2025 PROGRAM

Thank you to everyone who attended Creative Directions 2025! If you couldn’t make it, you can catch the sessions on our Vimeo channel.  

OPENING NIGHT: CRTL + SHIFT with Dr Xanthe Dobbie

Featuring official opening and ‘welcome’ from:

Professor Katie Stevenson, Dean of Arts
Associate Professor Shane Homan, Head of the School of Media, Film and Journalism
Festival Director Dr Whitney Monaghan

In a moment marked by accelerating technological change, political uncertainty, and cultural upheaval, Creative Directions 2025 calls on us to CTRL + SHIFT: to challenge systems of power in media and imagine bold, collective transformations. Interdisciplinary artist and researcher Dr Xanthe Dobbie brings their queer, cyberfeminist, and critically playful practice to this conversation for a special opening night event to celebrate the launch of this year's festival.

Blending live-streamed theatre, AR, VR, and remixed pop culture that serves as a form of cultural preservation, Dobbie's work invites us to CRTL dominant systems of power through queer and feminist disruptions and SHIFT our relationships to the images, infrastructures, and myths that govern digital life. This special opening session includes a Q&A hosted by MFJ student Johanna Michelle Lim (Master of Cultural and Creative Industries), inviting dialogue on how we can rewire and reboot the ways we understand and engage with media, culture and technology as sites of joy, resistance, and creative possibility.

Stick around after the event for drinks, canapes and some great networking opportunities.

Doors open at 5.30pm. Followed by opening night drinks.

Moderator: Johanna Michelle Lim (Master of Cultural and Creative Industries)

Guest Speaker: Dr Xanthe Dobbie (Artist and Academic)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 6.00pm - 7:30pm (followed by opening night drinks) - doors open 5:30pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

PRE FESTIVAL:  TUESDAY 5 AUGUST 2025

DIY Club Workshop: Making the CTRL + SHIFT Zine

Homemade, amateur and DIY creativity are enhanced and challenged by accelerating technological change. This practical workshop offers a chance to work with zinemaker Cora Zon on the production of an individual zine of your own design, exploring the value and potential of this medium.

The workshop will also launch a call open to all attendees/presenters - on and offline - at Creative Directions to produce an original contribution to the “CTRL + SHIFT Zine” that will respond to and record Festival themes and events. Pages might comprise individual reflections on festival ideas, perspectives on presentations/discussion etc or offer an alternative take on the Festival.

Individual pages should be submitted as original artefacts (or in digital form) by 4pm Wednesday 7th August.

Pages will be compiled into a one-off physical artefact and digitised and copied for circulation at the final session of the Festival.

The call will also comprise a competition with a prize for an outstanding individual contribution.

Workshop Facilitator: Cora Zon (Community radio presenter & Zine maker)
Moderator: Paul Long (Professor in Creative and Cultural Industries, Monash University)

Date & time: Tuesday 5 August, 12 pm - 2 pm
Venue: S9.01 (Building S, Level 9, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

DAY 1:  WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2025

Creator Corner: South Asian Dance Content Decoded

Step into the Creator Corner for an interactive workshop with creator Sonya Joshi. Learn some trending choreography inspired by South Asian and Bollywood styles, then dive into the creative process behind making a successful dance reel.

This session explores how social media platforms shape the content we see, why some platforms favour certain styles and formats, and how creators plan their reels to maximise engagement. You’ll discover key differences between South Asian and Western dance trends and how these cultural influences play out in digital spaces.

This workshop offers a unique blend of movement, media insight, and cultural reflection. No dance experience necessary, just bring your energy and your phone!

Workshop Facilitator: Sonya Joshi (Content Creator & Dance Instructor)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 10.30 - 11.30 am
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Hinge or Cringe

How does one find romance in Melbourne? What are the current issues young people face? How should we deal with it? Let’s delve deep into Melbourne’s digital intimacy culture and learn how to take control of our dating experiences while facing the shifts in human connections.

This panel aims to explore and help us learn, understand, and navigate online dating and discuss the trend of matchmaking platforms. Acting as a cultural ‘remixing’ of romance, the experts in our panel will highlight how dating norms are influenced by media, societal expectations, and globalization, and also share ways users can ‘reboot’ connections online.

Guest Panellists include:
Dr Emily van der Nagel (Lecturer, School of Media, Film & Journalism, Monash University)
Alita Brydon (Creator, Bad Dates of Melbourne)

Moderator: Yobella Gabriel Warsito (Student, Master of Strategic Communications Management)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 12 - 1 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

CTRL + SHOOT: Film Collectives in a Shifting Landscape

In a media environment that is dominated by streaming giants, algorithms, and excess of commercial content, a new generation of artists and filmmakers are taking back the narrative. This panel brings together Melbourne based film collectives and communities who are striving to rewrite the rules of cinema through experimental, authentic, and collaborative projects. Ranging from honest representation to alternative screening spaces, these collectives are not only reshaping how films are developed but makes us dive deeper into their true purpose. Join us for a conversation on radical storytelling, creative authority, and experimental practice and understanding how these artists balance the demands of the industry while working outside the mainstream.

This panel invites us to reimagine our perspective on what cinema can be- community-focused, human driven, and a platform for transformation.

Guest Panellists include:
Chris C.F. (Writer / Director / Producer / Editor, Co-Founder of Dogmilk Films, Sipakatuo and Cut By Dog Productions)
Saara Lamberg (Writer, Director, Producer, Actor, Saara Lamberg and Filmonik Melbourne)
Laurie Fletcher (Asian Cinema Collective)

Moderator: Vrindaa Raheja, Student (Master of Communications and Media Studies, Monash University)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 1.30 - 2.30 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Asia and the Music City

As Melbourne continues to brand itself a “music city,” the question arises: whose music takes centre stage? This panel explores the growing presence of live Asian music in Australia and Melbourne, and the export ambitions of Australian artists in the Asia-Pacific. From K-pop concerts to regional touring circuits, the Indie underground and the massive pop idols, we consider the dynamics of cultural exchange shaped by industry, policy, and community. What does it mean to belong to a music city in an age of transnational sound?

Guest Panellists include:
Wenona Lok (Promoter, Live Nation)
Nat Vazer (Artist)
Julian Wu (Director of Australasian Operations, Far Out Distant Sounds)

Moderator: Dr Ben Morgan (Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 3 - 4 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Unfiltered: Media, Identity and Community Power

In a world where streaming platforms, algorithms, and non-stop content often drown out real voices, a new wave of storytellers is reclaiming media as a tool for connection, identity, and justice.

This panel brings together three powerful media makers who are reshaping the landscape through storytelling that centres authenticity, identity, inclusion, and community. From youth-driven media platforms and mental health advocacy, to queer community broadcasting and public engagement, these creators are challenging how stories are told and who gets to tell them.

Join us for a vital conversation about the power of authentic storytelling, the importance of platforming underrepresented voices, and the role of community media in driving real social change.

Guest Panellists include:
Sonja Hammer (Film programmer and Broadcaster, PX Whanau Radio),
Priya Serrao (Senior adviser to the Victorian Premier),
Nikhil Taneja (Co-Founder and Chief, Yuvaa, Creator and Host, Be A Man Yaar)

Moderator: Vijayalakshmi S (Viji) (Student, Master of Strategic Communications Management)

Date & time: Wednesday 6 August, 4.15 - 5.15 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

DAY 2:  THURSDAY 7 AUGUST 2025

True Crime In The Media: Does Ethics Matter?

True crime is one of the most popular media genres of our time, but at what cost?  This thought-provoking panel brings together leading podcast hosts alongside Monash University experts Steph Corsetti (School of Media, Film and Journalism) and Associate Professor Bridget Harris (Criminology) to unpack the ethical dilemmas at the heart of true crime storytelling.

Together, they’ll explore how the media investigates and reports on real-life crimes, how victims' stories are told, and the growing role of audiences as armchair detectives. Don’t miss this timely and compelling discussion on the ethics of true crime in the media.

Guest Panellists include:
Sarah Grynberg (Mindset Coach, Author, Podcast Creator and Keynote Speaker + Founder Greatness Productions)
Bridget Harris (Associate Professor and Director, Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, Monash University)
Vikki Petraitis (Author/Podcaster)

Moderator:  Stephanie Corsetti (Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 10.30 - 11.30 am
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Connection as Power: Asian Women’s Leadership Across Australian Communities

This panel aims to explore how Asian women in Australia navigate and redefine leadership across cultural, linguistic, and institutional boundaries. Positioned at the intersection of gender, race, and migration, it brings together Asian women leaders from education, public service, and NGOs to share stories of leadership through dialogue, organising, creative expression, and advocacy. Rather than relying on traditional forms of authority or visibility, the panel highlights how these women are building influence through connection, courage, and care—on campus, in the workplace, and across communities.

Guest Panellists include:
Xin Gu (Associate Professor, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)
Jiaze Gui (Initiator and Managing Director, AWDPI Australia)
Cr Annisa Li Zhang (Councillor at Glen Eira City Council)

Moderator:  Dr Aizi Chang (Sessional Academic, Monash University / Head of Partnership and Development, AWDPI Australia)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 12 - 1 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

DIY Editorial Workshop

Drop in to share your 'zine page, continue making and help in editing the "CTRL + SHIFT Zine".

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 12 - 4 pm
Venue: B5.46 (Building B, Level 5, Caulfield Campus)

Hosts: 
Paul Long (Professor in Creative and Cultural Industries, Monash University)
Suzanne Grasso (Research Officer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

DROP IN SESSION - NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

StratComms Workshop: Future-Proof Communicators in a Global Digital World

Worried about staying relevant in an AI-driven industry? This hands-on workshop empowers communications students to see AI as a starting point, not the final answer.

Participants will be given an AI-generated communication plan and, in guided groups, will use their human skills—empathy, critical thinking, and creativity—to refine and elevate it. With expert feedback from guest speakers, students will gain real-time insights from both agency and client perspectives. The winning team will receive valuable prizes, and all students will receive a certificate of participation.

Together, we’ll explore how to combine AI capabilities with uniquely human value, identify key strategic skills, and prepare for the evolving global comms landscape. Walk away with practical experience, industry exposure, and a certificate of participation, ready to CTRL + SHIFT your future.

Guest Panellists include:
Dr Mugdha Rai (Director, Master of Strategic Communications Management, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)
Cara Spencer (Head of Communication & Community Engagement, Brimbank City Council) 
Felicity Cull (Head of Digital Content, Pesel & Carr)

Moderator:  The StratComms Student Society

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 1.30 - 2.30 pm
Venue: H1.16 (Building H, Level 1, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Remixing, Rebooting, And Rewiring Creativity: Lessons From Homemade, Amateur And DIY Practice

Guest Panellists include:
Peter Lyssiotis (Bookartist / Writer / Photographer)
Bailey Sharp (Printer/Publisher)
Liz McDowell (Director, Non-profit Community Visual Arts Studios and Gallery)
Paulina Zamorano (Creative Practitioner & Secondary School Educator)

Moderator:  Teesta Chattoraj (Phd Student, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 1.30 - 2.30 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

After the PhD and Beyond Academia

In this session we hear from Monash graduates with PhDs in media, film or journalism who have pursued careers outside university teaching and research roles. A PhD offers high level expertise in the field of study but it also equips graduates with so much more, whether research skills, project management or exceptional communication and critical abilities. We will hear from a panel of Monash alumni about their experiences in speaking to employers about the value of their PhD, transferring skills gained in graduate research and what they wish they had known earlier in their career path.

The session includes afternoon tea and a great chance to network with those in attendance.

Guest Panellists include:
Dr Amy Gibbs (Senior Manager in Transformation Consulting, Scyne Advisory)
Dr Sarinah Masukor (Screenwriter, Foal),
Dr Erin Bradshaw (Visitor Research Officer - Tourism, Phillip Island Nature Parks)

Moderator: Shane Henry (PhD Student, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 3 - 4.30 pm
Venue: The Pavilion (Building H, Level 8, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Aspiring Filmmakers & Creatives Meetup

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, writer, producer or content creator, join an inspiring afternoon of conversation, connection and possibility at the School of Media, Film and Journalism’s Creative Networking Meetup. Opening with a short case-study of Monash student filmmakers who offer insights into making a major project at MFJ, this is followed by an opportunity to meet like-minded peers, build your network, and discover pathways into academic and creative screen careers.

Hosts:
Dr Roberto Letizi (Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)
Billy Head (Practice Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 3.30 - 4.30 pm
Venue: H1.16 (Building H, Level 1, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED

CLOSING NIGHT: Student Films Premiere: The Screen Project Showcase

Featuring official closing address from Associate Professor Shane Homan, Head of the School of Media, Film and Journalism.

Celebrate the close of Creative Directions Festival with a special premiere screening of projects created by film students in the school of Media, Film and Journalism. These ten short non-fiction films offer stories that range from a sisterhood of surfers, to the enduring memories of life-changing journeys, to an impossible choice faced by two migrant brothers, as well as a host of other engaging creative documentaries. Selected from works made in the 3rd-year film unit, ATS3983 Screen Project, these films are the passionate creative expression of some of MFJ’s most original student filmmakers.

Watch the trailer here.

Host: Billy Head (Practice Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University)

Date & time: Thursday 7 August, 5 - 6.30 pm
Venue:  G1.04 (Building G, Level 1, Caulfield Campus)

REGISTRATION CLOSED