Olivia J. Bennett
is a writer, editor & critic.
She works across narrative development, editorial strategy and cultural insight for creative, design-led projects.
Her writing spans screen, sound, software and the systems that shape them.
She works across narrative development, editorial strategy and cultural insight for creative, design-led projects.
Her writing spans screen, sound, software and the systems that shape them.
Professional Experience
August 2025
Critics Academy, Locarno Film Festival
Freelance | On-site | Locarno, Switzerland
Freelance | On-site | Locarno, Switzerland
- One of ten early-career critics selected worldwide for this prestigious program at Locarno Film Festival, facilitated in tandem with MUBI Notebook.
- Received intensive mentorship from leading international editors and critics.
- Published original criticism and participated in high-level editorial development, roundtables and industry events.
January 2025 - Present
Founder & Creative Director, Gossamer
Self-employed | Remote
Self-employed | Remote
- Founded a solo editorial and insight practice offering tone of voice, editorial strategy, cultural trend reports and campaign copy.
- Shape language, narrative and research for clients across creative, screen and design-led sectors.
- Currently developing Threads, a modular editorial series exploring cultural time beyond traditional markers.
October 2023 - August 2025
Casual | On-site | Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia
- Deliver exceptional service within a high-end retail environment, contributing to the success of Brisbane’s flagship store for this premium ceramics brand.
- Foster inclusive, consultative customer experiences—closing high-value sales and consistently exceeding targets.
- Support daily operations as a key-holder; mentor new team members and help cultivate a warm, design-informed in-store culture.
August 2019 - Present
Writer, Editor & Critic, Olivia J. Bennett
Freelance | Remote
Freelance | Remote
- Published reviews, features and interviews in Variety, DAZED, Art+Australia and others.
- Delivered copywriting and strategy for clients including Netflix ANZ, FC Barcelona, Victoria Opera, Jo Mercer and others.
- Contributed to Verve Magazine’s digital music section, publishing my own interview and commissioning and producing additional features.
October 2020 - October 2024
Copywriter & Strategist, No Standing / Arthaos Contract / Full-Time | Hybrid | Melbourne, Australia
- Held contract copywriting roles at No Standing on either side of a 1.5-year full-time strategy position at sibling agency Arthaos.
- Wrote digital and campaign copy across TVC, OOH, social, eDMs, websites and retail packaging.
- Developed internal and external brand strategy frameworks, tone of voice guidelines and narrative systems through workshops focused on voice, positioning and content priorities.
- Led content within cross-functional teams, collaborating across brand, design, marketing and digital while mentoring junior writers.
- Built and led Arthaos’ content strategy offering, developing two core services: messaging frameworks and investor-facing communications.
January 2021 – July 2021
January 2020 – March 2020
January 2020 – March 2020
Programming Assistant, Melbourne International Film Festival
Contract | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
Contract | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
- Assessed short and feature submissions for Melbourne International Film Festival’s 68½ and 69 editions, with several recommendations selected for the program.
- Supported thematic curation, content entry and virtual delivery during Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown.
- Conducted film research and assisted with remote programming operations.
June 2020 – January 2021
Social Media Manager, Senses of Cinema
Freelance | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
Freelance | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
- Redesigned the publication’s social media strategy, increasing engagement by over 150%.
- Created visual assets and implemented a consistent posting calendar across platforms.
- Worked with editors and advertisers to deliver coordinated campaigns.
September 2020
Emerging Writers Program, Gertrude Contemporary
Freelance | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
Freelance | Remote | Melbourne, Australia
- Selected as one of four writers for the highly competitive, inaugural cohort of this mentorship-based program for early-career arts writers.
- Produced a commissioned critical text, received structured editorial feedback, and participated in peer workshops.
March 2020 - October 2020
Career Disruption, COVID-19 Pandemic
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
- Graduated at the end of 2019 and experienced all 262 days of Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown. A disrupted start, but I kept learning, writing and working where I could.
August 2019
Critics Campus, Melbourne International Film Festival
Freelance | On-site | Melbourne, Australia
Freelance | On-site | Melbourne, Australia
- One of seven early-career critics selected for Melbourne International Film Festival’s competitive development program.
- Received one-on-one mentorship from leading Australian and international critics, culminating in the publication of original festival criticism.
Education
2019
Bachelor of Arts (Honours - First Class), The University of Melbourne
Major: Screen & Cultural Studies | WAM: 85.625
2016 - 2018
Bachelor of Art History & Curating, Monash University
Major: Film Studies | WAM: 80.075