The Whole Story: Representation in Intercultural Storytelling

To mark Ballarat Harmony Fest, join celebrated screen and stage writer, comedian and creative entrepreneur Diana Nguyen in conversation with two-time AACTA award-winning actor, author and comedian, Osamah Sami. Diana will vivaciously guides this illuminating conversation between storytellers, as they reveal the whole story of their formative intercultural experiences, story writing processes, and how both have shaped their rich narrative worlds.

Funny, clever and incredibly entertaining, Diana Nguyen is a Melbourne-based creative whose work explores themes of identity, belonging and cultural complexities within Vietnamese-Australian families. Diana’s writing includes ‘Five ways to disappoint your Vietnamese mother’, ‘Growing Up Asian’, Melbourne Theatre Company’s co-adaption of Alice Pung’s award-winning book, ‘Laurinda’, and her multi-award-winning web-series, ‘Phi and Me’, which The Age called a Top 5 show to watch in 2019. She has appeared on ABC’s Q&A and was named in the 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards in 2021.

Osamah Sami describes himself as a failed cricketer and a struggling Muslim. He is a prolific multi-award-winning actor, author, screenwriter and comedian. Born in war-torn Iran to Iraqi parents, Osamah was raised largely in Australia. He draws deeply from his lived experiences, writing authentic characters who often grapple with “the good lie”—living in conflict between family expectations and personal desires in a multicultural upbringing. His memoir, ‘Good Muslim Boy’ (2015) won the Multicultural category at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards in 2016. His screen credits include ‘House of Gods’ (2024), ‘Tennessine’ (2023) and AACTA award-winning ‘Ali’s Wedding’ (2017).

Image: Diana Nguyen (left) & Osamah Sami (right)