Pearl Expeditions guest expert and documentary filmmaker, Max Uechtritz, was nominated as a finalist in two major national film awards for his documentary PNG: Road to Independence.
Uechtritz was recognised as a finalist for the Best Documentary (Factual, Single) at the 2026 Australian International Documentary Conference Awards, and Feature Documentary Production of the Year at the Screen Producers Australia Awards.
These prestigious accolades highlight Uechtritz’s depth of knowledge and exceptional ability to uncover and capture the stories within the communities and landscapes that Pearl Expeditions guests experience throughout Papua New Guinea.
This November, Uechtritz joins Pearl Expeditions as an onboard expert for the 11-night voyage Papua New Guinea: A Circumnavigation of New Britain. Departing 8 November 2026, the Paspaley Pearl circumnavigates New Britain as it sails from Cairns to Madang, navigating remote waters and rarely visited communities.
The expedition completes a full circuit of one of the Pacific’s most geologically active islands, where volcanoes, ash-covered towns, and dramatic calderas reveal landscapes shaped by fire and water. Guests go beyond sightseeing to snorkel the biodiverse reefs of the Coral Triangle, uncover hidden WWII tunnels, and experience rare Tolai masked ceremonies beneath active volcanic peaks.
With just 30 guests, the journey offers intimate access to remote communities and far-reaching environments, from hidden rainforest waterfalls to the historic shores of Kimbe Bay and Rabaul, blending raw nature with rich cultural connection.
As a foreign correspondent, filmmaker, and long-time observer of Papua New Guinea, Uechtritz brings deep insight into the region. Onboard, he leads conversations that draw on his decades of reporting, his documentary work, and his personal connection to the region, having grown up in Papua New Guinea. Guests can gain rare behind-the-scenes perspectives on the making of ‘PNG: Road to Independence’ along with Uechtritz’s informed perspective into the region’s history, culture and wildlife.
