ABOUT US
Breaking Boundaries, Bridging Cultures
Why Diversity Matters
The Australian population is diverse, and we believe that everyone's stories should be heard. We aim to provide better opportunities for individuals to share their unique perspectives with audiences.
How do we know all this?
AFDIF is always looking to collaborate with like-minded associations and other organisations. Reports produced by the Screen Diversity Inclusion Network (SDIN) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) clearly show a big gap in equality. AFDIF would like to raise awareness about this and create opportunities for those who have been neglected. We understand that blaming the system will not initiate change. Change can only happen if we create more platforms which are easy to access.
Diversity in Australia
AFDIF believes that screen, media and performing arts content is a hugely influential and important shaper of Australian culture. AFDIF 's main goal is to provide a platform to those individuals who are passionate and trying to create better content. More diverse stories will make the audiences a richer and more reflective picture of contemporary Australia. AFDIF also recognises that organisations, culture and creativity benefit from diversity and inclusion. This will increase the chances for an inclusive culture, and could contribute to the Australian film and arts industry.
OUR PEOPLE
Yogi Devgan
Yogi Devgan is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, and producer. A UniSA Film & Television graduate and founder of Mount Lofty Studios, Yogi Devgan is a multidisciplinary filmmaker. He has created shows for Community Channel 44 and made 20+ short films and documentaries. He is currently developing two feature documentaries and one fiction feature film. Beyond filmmaking, Yogi founded the Port Adelaide Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival and the Australian Film Diversity and Inclusion Foundation (AFDIF) Film Festival to champion diverse voices in cinema. In recognition of his contribution to arts and culture, he received the Governor’s Multicultural Award 2025 and was nominated for the Citizen of the Year Award in both 2023 and 2025. In 2026, Yogi was appointed to the South Australian Film Corporation’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group (DIAG) for a two-year term, continuing his commitment to strengthening diversity and inclusion across the screen industry.
Stephen Tongun
Stephen Tongun stars alongside Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, Jurnee Smollett in the new Netflix thriller "Spiderhead" directed by Joseph Kosinski. Stephen is an Actor, a Lawyer and a sought after Master of Ceremonies for his abilities to engage and entertain people. Stephen Pitya Tongun was born in Juba, South Sudan during the civil war. His family got displaced and they became refugees when he was just six months old. The Tongun family escaped to Nairobi, granted a humanitarian visa to resettle in Adelaide, Australia.
Adam Gerard
Adam began his stage career at age five and, over the past 33 years, has created podcasts, documentaries, online content and advertising projects. He co-wrote and produced Raukkan: The Fifty Dollar Church for NITV’s Our Stories and directed documentaries for Reconciliation SA and the Department of Child Protection. Through Cabana Productions, he received multiple OnBusiness Awards and was named one of InDaily’s 40 Under 40 in 2022. His productions include Three Names, One Woman – Kunyi’s Story, Tambo, Iain and Allen: Full Circle, and 2500 km of Healing.
Nalina Tran
Nalina Cat Tuong is a Vietnamese-Australian producer with a background in film, advertising and documentary. As a passionate cultural advocate, she strongly resonates with AFDIF and the festival’s core values, which thrives to provide a platform for underrepresented and marginalized voices.
Jason Ken
Jason Ken, B.A. (Hons), MTeach (Sec), studied at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and currently works as a secondary school teacher specialising in Digital Media. Passionate about education and storytelling, he combines classroom teaching with extensive experience in television production. Jason has directed programs including OurTime and S.A. Sport Show, bringing creativity and communication to a wide range of audiences. His background in both media and education reflects a commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.
Alex Considine
Alex Considine is a final-year student at the University of Adelaide of mixed Filipino heritage and a second-generation Australian. He completed his internship with the Australian Film Diversity and Inclusion Foundation (AFDIF) and attended the 2025 AFDIF Film Festival. Witnessing the impact of AFDIF firsthand strengthened his belief in the importance of inclusive storytelling and community representation. His experience working alongside Yogi Devgan was highly influential, leading him to continue volunteering his time to support AFDIF’s ongoing mission.
Carolyn Bilsborow
Carolyn Bilsborow is an award-winning documentary storyteller with broadcast credits for films co-produced with Wayne Groom including Marjorie Lawrence: The World at Her Feet and Paris or the Bush: The Story of the Cods. In 2018, Carolyn wrote and directed a film investigating the enduring mystery of the "Somerton Man"—the unidentified man found dead on Somerton Beach in 1948. Following the film’s premiere researchers successfully identified the man, bringing a 74-year-old mystery to a close. Carolyn’s work on the film also featured across three episodes of the ABC’s Australian Story.
Kasiani Koutris
Kasiani Koutris is the founder of Dingo Drama, an independent, female-led production company creating bold, culturally diverse stories for screen and emerging formats. Dingo Drama is also developing Vertitainment™, its approach to mobile-first vertical storytelling using new technologies and hybrid AI filmmaking. Kasiani co-hosted Australia’s first online Micro-Drama Forum and works with Australian and international Micro-Drama creators and companies to develop and produce vertical stories. Her focus is on fresh stories, strong female characters, and bringing Australian voices to global audiences.
Effie Peters
Effie is an experienced business professional with a passion for film and the performing arts. Her enthusiasm for the creative industry has led her to pursue projects in screenwriting, acting and filmmaking. She has co-produced the Launch Film Festival and served as an organiser for the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Project. Combining business expertise with creative vision, Effie actively supports emerging talent and independent cinema.
Carly White
Carly has more than 15 years of experience across disability, education and community services, with a strong focus on advocacy, inclusion and creating opportunities for people to participate meaningfully in their communities. Carly has supported the AFDIF Film Festival over several years, contributing to accessibility considerations, sponsorship and event planning. She is passionate about making community, arts and cultural spaces more accessible and inclusive, and believes in creating genuine opportunities for people whose voices and experiences are often underrepresented.
Sam Matthews
Sam Matthews is a screen industry professional with long-standing expertise in post production. She is passionate about filmmaking that increases awareness around LGBTIQA+ identities and that celebrates diverse human experiences. In 2024, Sam was awarded Highly Commended in a Feature Documentary by Australian Screen Editors for 'A Portrait of Love', directed by Molly Reynolds. Sam co-directed ‘Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes’ (2023, Stan) with Julie Kalceff. web series ‘Unboxed’ (2018, ABC) .