Fujifilm unveils full Creator Summit lineup for Melbourne

Fujifilm Australia has confirmed the full speaker line-up and program for its Creator Summit in Melbourne, headlined by podcasters Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon and travel photographer Jord Hammond.

The one-day festival will run at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne. It marks the second annual Creator Summit under Fujifilm's banner and the first time the event has been staged in Melbourne, following its debut in Sydney.

Lodge and Jon, known for their comedy podcast work, will open with a keynote on building community. Hammond will also feature in the top billing, speaking about his work and career direction as a photographer.

Media and platforms

The program includes Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski, co-founders of The Daily Aus, who will discuss the growth of the youth-focused media brand and its approach to news and mobile-first formats.

Pinterest's Australian and New Zealand team will appear on stage with Head of Content Partnerships Jace Molan, alongside a group of creators described as "Pinfluencers". The session will explore visual trends the platform expects to shape creator output from 2026 and beyond.

Organisers have positioned the summit as a broad forum for creators working across photography, filmmaking and social content. The running order lists more than 20 talks, panels and workshops.

Photography focus

A substantial part of the agenda focuses on photography practice and career paths. Russell Ord, described as an acclaimed surf photographer and a Fujifilm X-Photographer, is set to speak about risk and career-defining moments.

Documentary photographer Dr. Michael Coyne, also listed as a Fujifilm X-Photographer, will draw on assignments for National Geographic, TIME and The New York Times in a behind-the-scenes session on documentary storytelling.

Other creators and specialists include travel photographer Emilie Hill and photographer James Tran, billed as a visual storyteller focused on light and movement. Food photographer Vueey Le will run a workshop titled "Sip, Shoot, Repeat" on photographing cocktails and colour.

Portrait photographer Leslie Liu will host "Café de Paris", described as a stylised set mixing fashion, portraiture and performance. Laz Smith, a photographer and filmmaker and founder of creative studio Coeur Visual, will run "Hit Record Live", offering attendees the chance to take part in filming a music video with live performance and lighting.

Action and motorsport photographer Andrew Hall will lead "Freeze the Moment", focused on speed and movement. Fujifilm's National Training & Events Specialist, Charlie Blevins, will run sessions aimed at helping attendees get more from their camera equipment.

Event format

Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe, a Melbourne-based creator and host of Shameless Media's Style-ish podcast, will guide attendees through the program. The event is structured around parallel tracks, with visitors moving between talks, workshops and interactive spaces across the venue.

Outside the formal sessions, the summit includes a Partner Hub with brands including ALPAKA, BenQ, Adobe, ATOMOS, RØDE, NiSi, Leofoto and Nanlite. The hub will offer hands-on demonstrations and workshops throughout the day.

Fujifilm will also operate a House of Photography pop-up, featuring event-day deals, complimentary sensor cleans, and access to Fujifilm X Series and GFX cameras, as well as FUJINON lenses.

Early-bird tickets are priced at AUD $45 and include entry to all sessions and a goody bag valued by organisers at more than AUD $250.

The Creator Summit follows an inaugural event held in Sydney, which Fujifilm said sold out. The company has described the summit as a response to Australia's growing creator economy and a way for creators to meet and learn in person.

"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, and our lineup for the 2026 event reflects this, featuring incredible talent from the likes of viral podcast sensations Toni and Ryan to Jord Hammond," said Shaun Mah, General Manager, Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices, Fujifilm Australia.

"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," Mah said.