Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest, is bringing serious firepower to its 2026 line-up, with a cohort of First Nations women stepping onto the stage across some of the program’s most culturally and commercially relevant sessions.
Set against the tropical backdrop of Cairns from 12–14 May, the Asia-Pacific creative festival has built a reputation for bringing marketing, media and entertainment into the same room.
This year, with the introduction of a dedicated Film & Screen track, a strong slate of First Nations voices is shaping the conversation in a way that is both deliberate and overdue, making this year’s slate one of the most culturally significant yet.
Nancy Hromin, co-founder of Irresistible Magazine and co-curator of the Film & Screen track, said the buzz around this year’s event reflects a growing appetite for meaningful storytelling and new pathways to production.
“There’s a real energy building around Cairns Crocodiles this year, particularly with the launch of the Film & Screen track,” she said.
“What’s exciting is seeing the depth of First Nations voices coming through the program, and the kinds of conversations they’re leading. It speaks to where the industry is heading and the stories audiences want to see.
Among the speakers, Anusha Duray from SBS/NITV is working at the sharp end of acquisitions, where decisions directly influence which Indigenous stories are commissioned, funded and ultimately seen by audiences at scale. Duray will be in conversation with film director Warwick Thornton, unpacking the vision behind Visionaries. She has also worked alongside Taika Waititi, who features on day one of the festival.
Rhanna Collins, head of Indigenous news and current affairs at NITV, joins the Marriage of Screen and Marketing session, bringing a newsroom perspective to the growing intersection between storytelling, audience behaviour and commercial strategy as platforms and viewing habits continue to evolve.
On the cultural front, Shontell Leah Ketchell, founder of Pandamonium Films, features on the Poptimism panel, unpacking the increasing influence of popular culture as both a reflection and driver of societal values.
As the industry evolves, Ketchell said First Nations voices must lead how their stories are supported and brought to screen.
“Creating more space for our storytellers – and a genuine understanding of what that requires – is critical to a stronger future for the sector,” Ketchell said.
“First Nations storytelling is the beating heart of Australia’s screen identity, grounded in cultural reflection and authenticity.
Ketchell explained how First Nations screen stories have connected with both local and international audiences because “these are our ways of being”.
“At NITV, we see that impact every day when stories are led by culture and community,” she added.
Ketchell said she’s looking forward to hearing from legendary film director Warwick Thornton and cinematographer Toby Oliver, in conversation with Duray, as an opportunity to share ideas, challenge thinking and connect with new audiences.
Meanwhile, Nikyah Hutchings, B&T 30 under 30 Grand Prix Winner and executive producer, commercial and partnerships at NITV, steps into the microdrama conversation, exploring one of the fastest-growing content formats globally. With short-form, mobile-first storytelling gaining traction across platforms, the session taps into how attention, distribution and monetisation are being redefined in real time.
The Film & Screen track, supported by partners such as HOYTS, has been generating strong buzz, with media coverage from international titles such as Variety in the UK, as well as local industry publications including FilmInk.
Showing how brands can build campaigns that honour stories, elevate Indigenous creativity and connect authentically with communities, on the Cairns Crocodiles Rewilding Creativity track, Nina Fitzgerald, director at Aboriginal-owned creative agency Going North, will feature in Protecting Culture in the Age of AI. Alongside Tourism NT, the session will explore the growing concern around AI systems scraping First Nations cultural material without consent, and the urgent need to protect Indigenous cultural and intellectual property.
The presence of all these incredible speakers sits alongside broader momentum around representation and leadership, including the ongoing work of the 3% Initiative, championed locally by Tanya Denning-Orman at SBS/NITV.
“Cairns Crocodiles continues to draw global names spanning marketing, film and media,” Hromin added. “But it’s this cohort of First Nations women bringing a distinct lens to the sessions they’re part of, one grounded in culture, community and a clear understanding of the audience.”
From microdramas and creator-led ecosystems to the cultural weight of poptimism and the evolving relationship between screen and marketing, these conversations are central to how the industry is thinking about its future.
Cairns Crocodiles presented by Pinterest 2026 runs from 12–14 May in Cairns, Queensland, with the Film & Screen track taking place on Wednesday 13 May at the Cairns Convention Centre.
For more on the Film & Screen track, See here
See the full Cairns Crocodiles agenda here.
