Actor and director Taika Waititi is set to headline Cairns Crocodiles Presented by Pinterest 2026, bringing one of the world’s most original creative voices to Australia’s leading creative, media and marketing industry gatherings.
Known for his hit films including Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, Next Goal Wins, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows and many more, Waititi is celebrated for blending humour, heart and cultural truth in a way that connects deeply with audiences around the world.
A true creative, his work is widely praised for its emotional honesty, distinctive voice and ability to turn personal stories into global hits.
Pippa Chambers, content director of Cairns Crocodiles, said securing Waititi was a defining moment for the event.
“Waititi proves that originality, culture and emotion are not barriers to success, they are the reason for it,” Chambers said.
“We are beyond thrilled to have him headline Cairns Crocodiles and cannot think of a more inspiring creative genius to lead our 2026 program.
Beyond film, Waititi is a major force in television, having co-created FX’s What We Do in the Shadows and Hulu’s Reservation Dogs. He has also directed campaigns for global brands including Apple, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Cartier and Belvedere.
Waititi has also received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award and Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In 2022, Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
In a fireside chat on the mainstage, Waititi’s headline session at Cairns Crocodiles will explore creativity, storytelling and leadership, offering insight into how bold ideas are shaped into powerful cultural moments.
“I’ll never forget the first time I watched Boy and Eagle vs Shark, they completely changed how I saw storytelling,” Chambers added.
“Funny, awkward, heartfelt and deeply human, they show how powerful simple, honest stories can be when they are told with courage and originality. Those films alone made it clear to me then that Taika is a once-in-a-generation creative voice, and that was before he went on to do so much more.”
The rapidly growing and evolving Cairns Crocodiles event will run from May 12 to 14 and has become one of the most influential gatherings in the region for marketing, media and creative leaders. Last year, Cairns Crocodiles attracted more than 2,700 delegates from across Australia and around the world.
In case you missed it, Cairns Crocodiles just launched a new Film & Screen track and a Travel track.
You can check out the rest of the speakers right HERE.
