Playback: TGD Takes on Identity and Industry celebrates trans and gender diverse screen and audio creatives, with a strong focus on regional voices. Delivered by WIFT Vic in partnership with Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond, the event brings together industry leadership and deep community roots to spotlight TGD creators shaping a more inclusive screen and media landscape across Victoria and beyond.
Playback Mentors
Hear from creators across the media and entertainment industries in the Playback Mentor Videos! These short, inspiring clips share wisdom, stories, and advice from trans and gender diverse creators, contributing to a diverse global community, guiding the next generation and setting a benchmark for positive change.
Julie Peters
Julie Peters began her ABC career in 1971, working on shows like Kamahl, Bellbird, and Adventure Island, and over five decades progressed to roles including technical producer, lighting director, DOP, and OB tech manager. Assigned male at birth, she transitioned in 1990, navigating workplace challenges while becoming a visible advocate for trans and gender diverse inclusion. Alongside her career, Julie’s activism culminated in a PhD on trans public health and the anthropology of gender.
she/her
Bayley Turner
Bayley is a performer, writer, and consultant in consent-based practice, inclusion, and intimacy coordination. She has worked on productions including Neighbours and Ladies in Black and presented on consent and safety in creative workplaces at events such as Creative Toolkit and SXSW. Bayley is passionate about trans storytelling and empowering the next generation of artists in safe, inclusive creative spaces.
she/her
they/them
Jean Tong
Jean is a Melbourne-based writer, dramaturg, and director, and an Associate Artist at Melbourne Theatre Company. Their work spans stage, screen, and musical theatre, including Flat Earthers: The Musical, Hungry Ghosts, and episodes for Heartbreak High and Safe Home, as well as development projects with SBS and Photoplay. Jean is passionate about creating original, inclusive stories and supporting new Australian voices across theatre and screen.
Mitch Nivalis
Mitch is a filmmaker, photographer, speaker, and consultant focused on diversity and inclusion. They directed and produced their first feature documentary, Equal the Contest, which has screened at multiple festivals, won awards, and sparked ongoing initiatives for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and gender equality in sport. Mitch is currently developing their second feature documentary, The Gender Game, exploring trans inclusion in sports.
they/them
Jordan Raskopoulos
Jordan is a Sydney-based digital content creator, comedian, and musician whose career spans live performance, television, film, and online media. She has performed with The Axis of Awesome, created and written for online series, and worked across production as a producer, director, editor, and animator. Known for her sharp creativity, versatility, and wicked sense of humour
she/her
they/he
AP Pobjoy
AP is an award-winning, ADG-nominated writer-director based on unceded Gadigal Land in Sydney. They created and direct the upcoming SBS Digital Original series Homebodies and previously made the acclaimed series Unerased and documentary Why Did She Have To Tell The World?. Their work explores gender, family, trans-masculinity, and queerness, earning multiple festival screenings and awards.
Dax Carnay-Hanrahan
Dax is a multi-award-winning Filipina-Australian trans artist and the 2025 recipient of the Creative Excellence Award by the Trans Visibility Awards. A defining voice in Australian storytelling, her credits include the critically acclaimed Chasing Dick: A Love Story and Transwoman Kills Influencer. Formerly a high-level corporate strategist, Dax traded boardroom presentations for the stage to reshape industry norms. She champions a philosophy of radical agency, encouraging gender-diverse creators to stop waiting for permission and "make their own s***."
she/they
Kei Khosasih
Kei is an animator and illustrator whose work spans the worlds of major studios and indie projects. They have contributed to Netflix, DreamWorks, and Disney 3D animated series, as well as published RPGs, board games, card games, and books. In addition to their studio work, Kei creates 2D animation for indie series and illustrations that bring games and stories to life, blending technical skill with a playful, imaginative style.
they/them
no pronouns
Saara Lamberg
Saara is a Finnish‑Australian filmmaker, writer, director, producer and actor known for creating bold, genre‑defying films that have played internationally. Saara’s debut feature Innuendo premiered theatrically in Melbourne and has been compared to works by David Lynch and Yorgos Lanthimos, and Saara has since released features including Westermarck Effect and The Lies We Tell Ourselves. Saara’s work blends striking storytelling with inventive style, making them one of Australia’s most distinctive independent voices in film.
Playback Panel 2025
Watch the inaugural Playback: TGD Takes on Identity and Industry panel, hosted by Benjamin MacEllen on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Held during Trans Awareness Week 2025 and featuring Julie Peters, Bayley Turner, Jean Tong, and Mitch Nivalis, the panel celebrates trans and gender diverse creatives across Victoria, bringing regional and metropolitan voices together to share stories, insights, and inspiration.
