Lee Gambin 1979-2024

My cherished friend and co-conspirator in film, Lee Gambin, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Thursday 23rd May 2024. I am still in disbelief. It has taken me until now to formally acknowledge his death here on my website, on his birthday, 13th July. He would have turned 45.

I am so blessed to have known Lee and to have been drawn into his orbit as a close friend. To have been loved by Lee was a special thing. To have shared in his passions in cinema was a extraordinary privilege, the kind of which very few people get to experience in life. I count myself among the lucky few.

Lee still feels very close. There are countless audio commentaries, podcasts, radio shows, panels and other appearances where we shared the stage together. Gone but still here. I love you, darlst ❤️

Read more about Lee in these beautiful obits from two other dear friends:

In Fangoria by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
At the MQFF by Cerise Howard

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Umbrella Boxsets: Michael Haneke & New Extremity Collection Vol. 2

It’s been a banner year for Umbrella Entertainment – including a brand refresh – and they haven’t even announced the more exciting and ambitious project I worked on with them in 2025 yet.

First, wrap your peepers around these…

The Michael Haneke Collection – 15 films, (almost) a complete collection, but most importantly including his early career TV work.

Here I am, top and tailing Haneke’s career with a co-commentary on the devastating German language BENNY’S VIDEO (1992) with Stephen A. Russell, and similarly on the French language HAPPY END (2017). There’s a story behind our collaboration on HAPPY END, so make sure you hit me up for it next time we’re sharing anecdotes or happy hour drinks together.

Following the success of their first collection, Umbrella have come out guns blazing with New Extremity Collection Volume 2 – a take-no-prisoners assault on the senses and sensibility, as interpreted by France’s boldest, most audacious filmmakers.

I write an essay on Marina De Van’s IN MY SKIN (2002) where I put forward my own translation of this interpretative dance of the body and soul. It’s quite the amazing morsel.

Make your way to the Umbrella Entertainment website to order…

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Evolution of Horror podcast – SECONDS

I had a rip-snorter of a gasbag with Mike Muncer, host of the incredible Evolution of Horror podcast and all-round upstanding gent. We went deep on SECONDS – a film that I wrote a book about a few years ago with Jez Conolly – and it was such a pleasure to revisit what continues to be one of my favourite films of all time.

We had a lot to say. Listen directly here:


Or you can listen to MAN-MADE MONSTERS #13: Seconds (1966) on the EoH website. I suggest you stick around and pore through some other episodes of his various podcasts because they’re really, really good.

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Monster Fest 2025 Jury

From 3rd to 11th October 2025 at Cinema Nova in Melbourne, Monster Fest acts as the perfect Halloween primer with an all-fun lineup of feature and short horror film titles.

This year’s all-killer/no-filler jury tasked with judging the three big awards – Best Australian Feature, Best International Feature and The Golden Monster – consists of Kate Fitzpatrick (MIFF programmer), Spiro Economopoulos (Artistic Director of Europa!), Simon Foster (President of Film Critics Circle of Australia) and my favourite ‘Scotstralian’ film journalist, Stephen A. Russell.

Somehow, I’ve managed to sneak into the lineup of judges too, which is amazing (for me).

Are you coming to Monster Fest this year? Be scared, be very scared…

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DANZA MACABRA Vol. 4: The Italian Gothic Collection

My idea of a good night: Curling up on the couch with four Italian Gothic horror films – TERROR -CREATURES FROM THE GRAVE (1965), NIGHT OF THE DAMNED (1971), THE DEVIL’s WEDDING NIGHT (1973) and BABA YAGA (1973) – with a bottle of Chianti, an open mind and a mutually inclined friend.

The fact that I provided the audio commentary for BABA YAGA with the incomparable Sally Christie is a bonus.

There’s so much on this Severin boxset, lovingly curated by Kat Ellinger, that I can’t do justice to the contents in this brief announcement. But I will post a quote from Nerdist below, and encourage you to seek out the other three volumes of the DANZA MACABRA collection. They don’t make ”em like these anymore.

“Sure, Gothic horror has castles, crypts and candelabras, but the genre – especially in Italy – includes lots of other delicious, devilish delicacies.These fascinating and varied films have seen a home media renaissance in the past few years, and Severin Films has been at the forefront.”
Nerdist

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Furphy Literary Award shortlisted story: The Undying Love of Specimen A398

I wrote a short story (a feat for me in itself). It got shortlisted for The Furphy Literary Award, which means it will be published in The Furphy Anthology Book 2025 at the end of this year.

But you can read it now, if you choose to 👇

Congratulations to the winner, Serena Moss, who wrote a corker of a tale, The Eulogy Business.

Photo (l-r): Anson Cameron (Writer and Furphy Judge), me, Damian ‘Dips’ O’Donnell (Accountant and Shortlisted Author), John Harms (El Presidente of El Footy Almanac and Furphy Judge)

Continue reading “Furphy Literary Award shortlisted story: The Undying Love of Specimen A398” →
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Presentation recording: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR

Those who don’t live in Melbourne have frequently asked me, ‘How can I see the Cinemaniacs‘ presentations if I can’t get to a screening?’. Until recently, I didn’t have an answer. But now, for the price of a Patreon membership, all Cinemaniacs’ presentations since the beginning of 2024 are available for you to enjoy.

You might not be able to recreate the Cathedral-like atmosphere of Melbourne’s The Astor Theatre in your living room, but this is the best way to savour the Cinemaniacs’ flavour of rarely screened films contextualised through introductions by film/cinema specialists of every ilk.

As a carrot-dangler, I’m at liberty to share my own presentation from July 2025: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR (1977) where I was honoured to celebrate Cinemaniacs’ co-founder Lee Gambin‘s birthday and his love for this sensational film. Diane Keaton has never been better.

Below, you can watch the video recording, including the accompanying slideshow. If you like what you see, get thee to Cinemaniacs’ Patreon page pronto and share in the love of classic, under-appreciated cinema.

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I’ve made the shortlist!

I don’t have the words to express my excitement…

A kooky 2000-word fictional narrative I wrote at the beginning of this year— ‘The undying love of Specimen A398’—has been shortlisted for the Open Short Story Competition of The Furphy Literary Award 2025!

This means I’m heading up the highway to Shepparton on 26th July to attend an awards ceremony held by The Furphy Foundation with the other 16 finalists.

While of course, I’d love to take first prize, I already feel like a winner because the final 16 stories are included in The Furphy Anthology book, which will be published at the end of 2025.

It’s also been a generation since I wrote fiction, and wasn’t sure if I had it in me anymore. This is the kick up the arse I needed to get back in the saddle.

More about the award (and the short & long lists) below.

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That Interview Show: Episode 25

Cinemaniacs’ latest committee member, Julian Meyers, has a YouTube channel where he heroes physical media and interviews people doing filmy things. He’s been running through the Cinemaniacs’ cadre—including John Harrison, Caitlyn Koller, Natali Papak and Lee Gambin— now it’s my turn!

Over a couple of hours, Julian and I sit in the couch in my living room—a location you may recognise from Blu-ray extras on Umbrella releases Long Weekend, Razorback and Dark Age—and bang on about contributing to physical media releases, the local ‘critics’ scene and whatever else took our fancy.

This is not the longest interview I’ve recorded. That honour goes to Bill Ackerman on his Supporting Characters podcast. But it was very relaxed and a lot of fun.

Thanks for the opportunity, Julian ❤️

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Screening: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR

I’ve been sitting on a draft of this blog post for weeks—not entirely sure how to express myself fully. So now, I’ll defer to the words of the Cinemaniacs team because they nail it….

On 12th July 2025, Cinemaniacs screen LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR (dir. Richard Brooks, 1977) on the Astor SuperScreen, introduced by Emma Westwood.

“Cinemaniacs founder, Lee Gambin, always wanted to screen GOODBAR, but the screening rights were not available until recently. This is a very special screening for the Cinemaniacs team. We finally get to share this incredible film with our audience, something that Lee always wanted to do. The screening also takes place the day before what would have been Lee’s 46th birthday.

While GOODBAR is anything but upbeat, come and watch this wonderful film that Lee wanted to share with us. Celebrate him, stay healthy and live forever!”

Book your tickets directly with The Astor Theatre. See you there!

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