We have the world premieres of two incredible women-directed Australian horror films: Jorrden Daley's WELCOME BACK TO MY CHANNEL and Miley Tunnecliffe's PROCLIVITAS @sxswsydney.com

SXSW Sydney runs 13-19 October and I am so proud to have been part of the screen team this year alongside some of the best programmers/people in the country. Check out the full lineup via @sxswsydney.com, but if you are wondering where to start here's some titles I went cuckoo-bananas for 🧵

Two chats I've had lately that have gone live today on the site. First up: Kween Kong on playing the villain of Lesbian Space Princess. www.thecurb.com.au/kween-kong-i...

youtu.be/yJlO5yTVH_8?... youtu.be/pQs26c1klAU?... youtu.be/NkARD8oTzOM?...

I watched Japanese horror short Magai-Gami quite recently. Sadly it's not available online, but I suspect it will be adapted to a feature film before long. fictionmachine.com/2025/07/23/f...

Have you watched a short film recently? If so, what was it? If it's online, share a link below.

Javier Bardem: “I won't work. I cannot work with somebody that justifies or supports the genocide, I can’t. That’s as simple as that.” #GazaGenocide #GazaHolocaust #Emmys

I’m so excited for this movie

Julie Pacino was an absolute pleasure to speak with. I LIVE HERE NOW is a haunting and dark fairytale starring Lucy Fry, Matt Rife, Madeline Brewer and SHERYL LEE.

Tina Romero is epic fun. So is her film QUEENS OF THE DEAD. Here is a photo of Katy O’Brian and Jack Haven as Dre and Kelsey.

Aussie based folks: Two of the best Australian films of the year are in cinemas from today: Lesbian Space Princess & Went Up the Hill Do yourself a favour and go and watch them in a cinema. Thank me later.

It's chat central on the Curb today. First up: Tom Phillips on producing the best Aussie film of the year: Lesbian Space Princess. www.thecurb.com.au/lesbian-spac...

I don't think Magnificent A.I.mbersons will come to pass, but everyone who cares about film should reject it on principle. It sets a dangerous precedent for film preservation & restoration, bc what's to stop them from letting classics fall into disrepair when they think they can just regenerate it

Australian Zionists are destroying every major cultural institution in this country as punishment for a majority of artists seeing them as genocidal maniacs, and (rightly) hating Israel. These dorks can not win.

Have to see this. When I was a kid John Clarke was the voice of Wal from the Footrot Flats movie I watched a kazillion times. I heard his voice when I read the comics too. As I gew up that biting wit and stabby comentary got into me I think, and helped formed a bit of my own sense of humour.

John Clarke was an absolute genius and I’m so excited for this

The most popular game in the world right now is a sequel to smash hit 2017 title from an Adelaide-based 3-man game studio. Despite this success, it's barely acknowledged in Australian media? Here's a good newsletter questioning why that's the case.

I've a strong temptation to make a case it is successful precisely because it's outside the established sclerotic institutions that have killed Australian film, television and literature

And if you need more of a push, here's my lovely candid chat with Lorin Clarke: www.thecurb.com.au/miff-intervi...

Adrian Ortega's Westgate is a drama about a tragedy, but its power comes from the focus on family. @nadinewhitney.bsky.social reviews here: www.thecurb.com.au/westgate-rev...

Sydney Underground Film Festival kicks off next week. Here's festival director Nathan Senn chatting about Fucktoys, Take48 shorts, and more. www.thecurb.com.au/sydney-under...

We Bury the Dead screened in competition at CinefestOz this week. @codyallen.bsky.social reviews this drama here: www.thecurb.com.au/we-bury-the-...

Thanks for the shout-out, Andrew! It really does mean a lot. 😊 We're incredibly proud of our Australian games coverage, especially for many titles that might otherwise get overlooked. That being said, we're also absolutely obsessed with Silksong right now. It deserves the attention.

I had the word 'mainstream' in my post originally but had to cut it for length - hoping that the outlets I listed would be enough for context to show I meant generalist news - but yes, absolutely don't want to erase the very real and impactful work of dedicated press.

Now, not to call out Dan here because he is right, but let's not narrow the scope of media coverage to just the mainstays. Follow @qualbert.com - independent games coverage that stands up with the big names. Press Start also does solid coverage. Vooks has been the place for Nintendo work.

Aussie folks. The glorious documentary BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE is out in cinemas now. It's really bloody good. Go see it. Smile for a bit.

Anyway, enormous congratulations to Team Cherry on the release of Silksong. Particularly can't wait to hear Chris Larkin's music, which will surely be another major chapter in Australian soundtracks, as was Hollow Knight (and his suite that has been performed by multiple state orchestras).

So many big problems impact on the games sector in Australia in uniquely instantiated ways, but we gotta stop pretending like they *only* impact on games. Lift your eyes to the bigger picture. Ally and support other creative sectors and people. Understand that others look at games with envy, too.

I expect that Aus media *will* cover Silksong—but in the way culture writing happens in 2025. SatPaper will do a review. ABC will do a detailed feature cut to 800 words for news. The Guardian, a profile and syndicated review. That's probably it, because that is all that is possible anywhere anymore.

Seeing that Silksong is only $29.95 blows my mind. One of the most hyped games in a long while available at an extremely accessible price? Love that.

A wonderful screenplay by @aaronmccann83.bsky.social and Dominic Pearce (Top Knot Detective) has been selected as a Second Rounder at the 2025 @austinfilmfest.bsky.social Screenplay Comp. Congrats lads. #scriptsky #filmsky #moviesky

Interesting that they use the same line as Paramount cancelling The Colbert Show after Colbert publicly criticised them for bowing to fascists. What a curious coincidence. Eerie to hear it so closely after Albo’s ‘good people on both sides’ quote too.

Melbourne University Publishing - joyfully known as MUP apparently - saying the choice to scrap Meanjin was a purely financial one is weak as piss. Culture means nothing to one of the biggest universities in Australia? Horse wank. Where'd the $2m grant from Creative Australia go?

It’s ludicrous and insulting to suggest that the richest university in Australia can’t afford the two part-time wages to run Meanjin. Also: did they even try to save it? Donation drive? Philanthropic efforts? Offering it to another institution? No. The university council shut it down intentionally.

With the news that Meanjin is closing, here's the last thing of mine they published a few years ago: "What do we want from our super-heroes? Crusaders for justice with unwavering morality? Vigilantes out for revenge with razor-sharp claws and deadpan one-liners? Some strange combination of the two?"

Can we band together and buy Meanjin please? Twenty people would be all it takes

A dark, dark day for Australian culture.

Adrian Ortega’s WESTGATE played at MIFF and I review it for @thecurb.com.au www.thecurb.com.au/westgate-rev...

(Deep sigh) HONEY DONT! had potential in my mind until I watched it. Think of my review for @thecurb.com.au as a self conducted exorcism to wash the movie out of my brain. www.thecurb.com.au/honey-dont-r...

This was a really interesting, inspiring and honest chat to listen to

It's my birthday today so I'm using the day to say: Watch an Australian movie. The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour is a title I recommend. Donate to Pets of the Homeless. That's all. ❤️ www.petsofthehomeless.org.au

It's my birthday today so I'm using the day to say: Watch an Australian movie. The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour is a title I recommend. Donate to Pets of the Homeless. That's all. ❤️ www.petsofthehomeless.org.au

If you ever get to see Whatever Happened to Green Valley, take the chance.

Lots of interviews going live on the Curb today. First up, I have a long chat with one of the finest directors working in Australia today: David Robinson-Smith. Listen to that here: www.thecurb.com.au/david-robins...

Post a non religious picture you think of as holy

The enshittification of major news media continues.

I receive media requests for most of the Australian films released in the year. Didn't get anything for Kangaroo Island. Not even a trailer. Anyhow. It's out in cinemas today. Here's some early screening photos that really sell the film. www.instagram.com/p/DNQC14sz16...

I saw it with a friend, now I'm going to have to drag my husband back to the theater because I don't think I can avoid talking about it until the Blu-ray release. I NEED TO TALK ABOUT AUNT GLADYS

Just over a week ago, we lost one of our dogs unexpectedly. It's been a tough time to process this. I wrote a short piece about that loss here, if you would like to read it. www.patreon.com/posts/one-mo...