Olivia J. Bennett 

is a writer, editor & critic.


Switzerland
United Kingdom

Bio
Selected Writing
Services
CV


Email
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Professional Experience



January 2025 - Present

Founder & Editorial Director, Gossamer
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.

August 2025

Critics Academy, Locarno Film Festival
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.

October 2023 - August 2025

Sales Consultant, Mud Australia
Casual | On-site | Brisbane, Australia

  • Delivered exceptional service within a high-end retail environment, contributing to the success of Brisbane’s flagship store for this premium ceramics brand.
  • Fostered inclusive, consultative customer experiences—closing high-value sales and consistently exceeding targets.
  • Supported daily operations as a key-holder; mentored new team members and helped cultivate a warm, design-informed in-store culture.

August 2019 - Present

Writer, Editor & Critic, Olivia J. Bennett
Freelance | Remote 

  • Published reviews, features and interviews in Variety, DAZED, Art+Australia and others.
  • Featured by Letterboxd, The Guardian AU and named a finalist for the 2025 Queensland Young Publishers and Writers Award.
  • 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

Programming Assistant, Melbourne International Film Festival
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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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