Tonight | Race Around the World on ABC TV and ABC iview: Filmmakers Head to Japan – Tonight on Race Around the World episode 5, the competition takes a personal turn as the six filmmakers step out from behind the camera and into their own stories.
The Racers land in Japan, where they reunite after their latest travels and share a catch-up dinner with a surprise guest. John Safran crashes the meal, bringing sharp advice, fresh perspective and a reminder that the best stories often come from unexpected places.
From there, the work begins again. The filmmakers crisscross Japan as they search for the story subjects that will shape their next films. This time, the challenge asks more of them than technical skill. It pushes each Racer to find humour, honesty and something revealing within their own point of view.
Host Zan Rowe is joined by resident judge John Safran, film critic Margaret Pomeranz and The Inspired Unemployed’s Jack Steele as the filmmakers face a new round of creative pressure.
Race Around the World airs 7.30pm Sunday 5 July on ABC TV and ABC iview
TV Central ABC content HERE
About the Show
ABC’s groundbreaking series Race Around The World returns on Sunday 7 June at 7.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview, introducing a new generation of Australian filmmakers.
Hosted by Zan Rowe, with original Race Around The World breakout star John Safran returning as weekly judge, the reimagined series will showcase the unique cinematic voice of six young Australians.
The rules are simple: six filmmakers travel solo through 10 countries, delivering a new short film every 10 days, over 100 days.
Working entirely alone, they will shoot, write, edit and produce each film from start to finish, before dialling in from wherever they are in the world to share it with a live studio audience.
Each week, a rotating panel of expert judges including Margaret Pomeranz, Claudia Karvan, Danny Philippou, Bruce Beresford, Wayne Blair, Gracie Otto and more, will join John Safran to critique each Racer’s work.
At the end of the season, the Racer with the winning score will receive their own personal project produced and funded by the ABC.
Introducing the Race Around The World Class of 2026:
Elliot, New South Wales
Video Content Producer
Elliot is a people‑first filmmaker drawn to complex, hard‑to‑reach stories. Curious, compassionate and fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he works independently in volatile environments, earning trust quickly. With a background in psychology, he finds humanity, contradiction and resilience where few cameras go.
Jayden, Northern Territory
Marine Biologist
Jayden is a marine biologist turned environmental photojournalist working solo in remote, high‑risk environments. Shooting, writing and producing end-to-end, he’s driven by strong ethics and optimism. Comfortable with isolation and extremes, his work spans conservation, people and climate change, including extensive work in Antarctica.
Kate, Victoria
Lollipop Lady
Kate is an arts school graduate who works part‑time as a lollipop lady to fund her films. Her work blends sharp observation, dry humour and inventive restraint, revealing the odd logic of everyday spaces through cinematic revelatory nonfiction storytelling.
Lucinda, New South Wales
Author and Internet Personality
Lucinda is an author, comedian and internet personality best known as Froomes. She creates fast, instinctive, internet‑first work through her one‑woman studio, blending humour, sharp research and lived experience. Prioritising immediacy over polish, she uses comedy to probe beauty standards, gender, identity and culture.
RelatedPosts
Mikaela, Western Australia
Sports Marketing and Film Industry Freelancer
Mikaela is a Gen Z filmmaker with an instinctive grasp of digital culture. Her creative process is hands‑on and observational, building female centric stories from real moments. Blending social media vernacular with cinematic texture, creating emotive, people driven work grounded in everyday life.
William, Queensland
Data Scientist
William is an articulate, upbeat and quietly nerdy filmmaker with a background in AI and data science. An ideas first, people driven storyteller, his tongue‑in‑cheek style avoids formal interviews, favouring movement, humour and empathy. He brings warmth and intelligence to character‑led documentaries and music videos.
Watch all your favourite programs on ABC iview now.
Production credit: Race Around the World is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment company) for ABC. Endemol Shine Australia Executive Producer: Kate Paul. Endemol Shine Australia Director of Content: Amelia Fisk. ABC Executive Producer: Mark Sutton. ABC Head of Entertainment: Rachel Millar.
Media Release – ABC
