Two VCA graduation films premiere as part of MIFF’s prestigious Accelerator Lab program
Two Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Film and Television graduation films will be premiered at the 2026 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) as part of its Accelerator Lab program.
Accelerator Lab is a highly competitive professional development program which nurtures emerging directors on their journey towards their first long form works.
Coconut (written and directed by Ravi Chand, produced by Sara Norman and Ravi Chand) and Too Few to Mention (written and directed by Jeff Zechen Hu, produced by Goss Siyuan Gao) will screen at MIFF 2026 in the Accelerator Shorts program.
As part of Accelerator Lab, the directors of both films will participate in four days of workshops, screenings, seminars and networking events with leading local and international screen practitioners.
Speaking ahead of Accelerator Lab commencing, VCA Master of Film and Television graduate and director of Coconut Ravi Chand said: “I am incredibly grateful to be invited to MIFF’s Accelerator Lab and to have my short Coconut selected to premiere at MIFF. It builds on years of momentum towards several long-form projects that honour my Fiji-Indian community and the cultural legacy my Grandma passed on to me.”
Director of Too Few to Mention Jeff Zechen Hu said: “Having Too Few to Mention screen at MIFF is a meaningful recognition of the work that went into the film, and an important step in my development as a filmmaker. Being selected for Accelerator Lab is also an exciting opportunity to connect with other filmmakers and industry professionals, build lasting creative relationships, and develop the foundations for the next stage of my career.”
All 2025 VCA graduates who worked on Coconut
- Ravi Chand — director, producer and writer
- Sara Norman — producer
- Indra Liyanaarachchi — lead cast
- Nicole Zhang — second assistant camera
- Nikko Guan — production designer
- Angelica Soler Becerra — art director
- Candice Chen — stills photographer
- Jeyan Lee — production manager
- Notin Wang — behind-the-scenes crew
- Bam Saengsri — art assistant
All 2025 VCA graduates who worked on Too Few to Mention
- Jeff Zechen Zhu— director
- Goss Siyuan — producer
- Silvia Shao — production and costume designer
Too Few to mention (2025)
Broader legacy of VCA filmmaking talent on display at this year’s MIFF
In addition, the work of more than 40 VCA alumni spanning Film and Television, Acting, and Design and Production is represented across multiple films as part of MIFF’s 2026 program, including animation, shorts, features and documentaries. The films will screen in cinemas across Melbourne and Victoria throughout August.
Further recognition of the work of VCA alumni can be seen in MIFF’s special focus on the oeuvre of late Australian filmmaker and VCA Animation alum Sarah Watt. This retrospective honours and celebrates Watt’sdistinctive work across her career, including her feature films Look Both Ways (2005) and My Year Without Sex (2009), alongside a program of seven early animated works.
Head of VCA Film and Television David Balfour said he congratulates all VCA alumni who have work in this year’s edition of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious film festival.
“It is wonderful to see so many of our graduates represented at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival. MIFF has long been a place where new voices emerge and ambitious filmmaking is championed, making it a particularly meaningful platform for early-career artists,” David said.
“Having the Coconut and Too Few to Mention as part of Accelerator program is demonstration of FTV master program which empowers filmmakers who are inventive, collaborative and unafraid to challenge audiences. I congratulate everyone involved and look forward to seeing where their work takes them next.”
The University of Melbourne is a proud partner of the Melbourne International Film Festival. The festival runs from 6-23 August 2026