Halloween at the Museum: Horrifying History

You're invited!

Join us at Macquarie University’s Gale History Museum for a spine-tingling evening exploring the horror genre through academic discussions, student film premieres, interactive video games, live spooky fiction readings and exclusive after-hours museum access.

Halloween costume is optional (but please don’t hold back!)

What to Expect

This event presents a unique opportunity to engage directly with lecturers across the disciplines of Creative Writing, Film Production and Games Development. We will also be showcasing the creative products of current Macquarie University students (including a short film premiere, and video games) - see our rising stars before they become famous!

Panel Discussion: The Mechanics of Fear led by Dr Kirstin Mills – our speakers will unpack what sparks fear and reveal how creatives tap into it to generate entertainment. As lecturers training our emerging creative students, they’ll also share practical insights on how talent is nurtured at Macquarie University. This session will be interactive, including a Q&A.

About our speakers:

Dr Kirstin Mills (Senior Lecturer) researches Gothic and supernatural literature and its intersection with its historical, cultural, scientific and technological contexts. Explore her research and other creative projects at www.kirstinmills.com
Dr Iqbal Barkat (Senior Lecturer) an artist and screen educator based in Sydney, employs participatory arts to explore community stories through theatre, writing, dance, and film. His work challenges conventional narratives and fosters progressive dialogue. You can learn more about his documentary work at https://www.thisisourschoolfilm.org/
Dr Cameron Edmond (Lecturer) teaches game development. He produces interactive fiction and games under the banner of "Uncanny Machines". His most popular game to date is the cozy-horror text adventure The Caretaker. His games can be played at uncanny-machines.itch.io.

Film Premiere: We are excited to host a premiere screening of the short horror film Curse of the Urn, a student film written and directed by MQ Media and Communications student Manus O’Reilly (2025, runtime 13 minutes), The film was partially filmed on location in the Gale History Museum.

Drop-in Games Session: play a selection of video games in the horror genre developed by Macquarie University students – spooky fun at its interactive best! If you’re interested in studying games development, it’s also a chance to meet the creators and learn about their experiences at Macquarie.

Spooky Fiction in the Gallery: In keeping with the Halloween spirit, we’ll have live readings of spooky fiction in the Gale History Museum.

After Hours Gallery Access: Museums are filled with objects of uncanny power – ancient relics and mysterious technologies of ages past. It’s dark in there, and who knows what horrors might be lurking …

Where, when and other useful info

Date & Time: Thursday 30 October 2025, 5:00 - 8:00pm

Location: C122 Exhibition Space, Level 1 Building C, 25 Wally's Walk, Faculty of Arts Precinct, Macquarie University

Catering: Light snacks will be provided, but this event will not be fully catered.

Recording: This event may involve photography and/or video recording. Please see more details here.

Privacy: This event will be managed in accordance with Macquarie University's privacy policy.

Accessibility

This event will have the following accessibility features:

wheelchair access
Q&A to be conducted via slido.com as well as via roving microphone
freedom to stand and move at rear of room as required
accessible parking
accessible campus map

Please provide any accessibility requests or questions during registration or feel free to contact arts.engagement@mq.edu.au.

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