ABC reveals cast for Race Around The World revival with six filmmakers set for global challenge
ABC has unveiled the six filmmakers who will take part in the returning Race Around The World, with the reworked series set to follow a new group of Australians as they compete across an საერთაშორისო filmmaking journey.
Hosted by Zan Rowe, the series also brings back original breakout participant John Safran, who will take on the role of weekly judge as the contestants present their work from locations around the world.
The format will see six filmmakers travelling solo across 10 countries, tasked with delivering a short film every 10 days over a 100-day period. Each participant will independently shoot, write, edit and produce their projects before presenting them remotely to a live studio audience.
A panel of guest judges will rotate throughout the season alongside John Safran, including Margaret Pomeranz, Claudia Karvan, Danny Philippou, Bruce Beresford, Wayne Blair and Gracie Otto.
The winning filmmaker will receive support from ABC to produce and fund a personal project.
The newly announced cast includes:
Elliot (NSW), a video content producer, is described as a filmmaker focused on people-driven stories. With a background in psychology and fluency in Spanish and Portuguese, he works independently in challenging environments and focuses on human behaviour and resilience.
Jayden (NT) transitions from marine biology into environmental photojournalism. His work spans conservation, climate change and remote locations, including time spent in Antarctica, with an emphasis on working solo in high-risk settings.
Kate (Victoria) combines filmmaking with part-time work as a lollipop lady. An arts school graduate, her storytelling is centred on everyday environments, using observation and humour to explore familiar spaces.
Lucinda (NSW), known online as Froomes, is an author, comedian and internet personality. Her work is created through a self-run studio and blends humour with research, often examining themes such as beauty standards, gender and identity.
Mikaela (WA) works across sports marketing and the film industry as a freelancer. Her projects focus on female-led narratives, drawing on real-life moments and incorporating elements of digital and social media storytelling.
William (Queensland) brings a background in AI and data science to his filmmaking. His work leans into character-driven storytelling, using humour and movement rather than formal interviews to shape documentaries and music videos.
Across the series, each contestant will produce a short film every 10 days over a 100-day journey, handling all aspects of production before presenting their work remotely to a live audience.
A rotating judging panel including Margaret Pomeranz, Claudia Karvan, Danny Philippou, Bruce Beresford, Wayne Blair and Gracie Otto will join John Safran to assess the films.
The winning filmmaker will receive backing from ABC to develop a personal project.
Produced by Endemol Shine Australia for ABC, the series lists Kate Paul as Executive Producer and Amelia Fisk as Director of Content, alongside Mark Sutton and Rachel Millar for the broadcaster.
