840. Fearlessly Failing: Australia House @ SXSW Part 2!
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In this vibrant episode of Fearlessly Failing, host Lola Berry welcomes a dynamic lineup of Australian creatives at Australia House during SXSW 2026, celebrating the spirit of bold, authentic storytelling. From Dario, the writer-director behind the dark comedy fantasy film *The Fox* featuring Olivia Colman and Sam Neill, to Richard, who pioneered a groundbreaking first-person POV horror film *Dead Eyes*, the episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of bringing ambitious, low-budget visions to life. Weston and Wade share their journey of crowdfunding and hustling to premiere their indie pilot *Codependent*, while Shu reflects on the real-life inspiration behind her Amazon Prime rom-com *Five Blind Dates*. Josh Friedman discusses directing *The Great Emu War*, a true story of Australia’s 1930s battle with emus, and Barry Conrad, the energetic MC of the event, shares his transition from Sydney to New York, emphasizing the Aussie values of resilience, fairness, and community. Across all stories, a recurring theme emerges: the power of persistence, embracing failure, and the unique Australian blend of humor, bluntness, and 'fair go' mentality that fuels global creative success.
Embrace the 'fair go' mentality—believe in your worth and hustle relentlessly, even when the odds are stacked.
Use failure and rejection as fuel; constructive criticism can reshape your work for the better.
Build a fallback plan—especially in creative fields with unstable income—so you can pursue dreams without desperation.
Think globally but stay authentic: Australian stories can resonate worldwide if they’re rooted in genuine emotion and identity.
Collaborate across borders—working in both Australia and the U.S. opens doors to bigger opportunities and international funding.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Australia House: The Creative Spirit of the Aussie Dream
“I believe it's a chance for us to learn, grow and face our blind spots.”
Dario on The Fox: Animatronics, Olivia Colman, and the Dream of Jurassic Park
“I just – it was like best day of my fucking life.”
Richard’s Dead Eyes: A First-Person Horror That Breaks the Fourth Wall
“I want people to be like, what the fuck did I just watch?”
Weston & Wade: Crowdfunding Codependent and the Power of Hustle
The duo behind *Codependent* detail their journey from college graduates to indie creators, sharing how they crowdfunded their pilot, hustled at flea markets, and turned rejection into motivation. Their story underscores the importance of clear vision, resilience, and community support.
Shu on Five Blind Dates: From Rejection to Rom-Com Gold
Shu opens up about the real-life inspiration behind *Five Blind Dates*, including a humiliating coffee shop moment where a famous writer mistook her for a loyalty card seeker. She shares how she transformed that embarrassment into comedy and how her collaboration with Nathan led to a hit Amazon Prime series.
“Everyone gets a fair go.”
“I want people to be like, what the fuck did I just watch?”
“I just – it was like best day of my fucking life.”
Host
Guests
South by Southwest
other
Lola Berry
person
The Fox
media
Codependent
other
Dario
person
Australia House
other
Dead Eyes
media
Weston
person
Five Blind Dates
other
Richard
person
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