by FilmInk Staff
Brendan Dennerley (33) and Matthew Collins (27) are proud to launch Laundry Day – the feature film debut of the new independent filmmaking collective Running Gag Reflex.
Laundry Day is an outrageous and slapstick take on 1980s creature features like Gremlins, Ghoulies, Critters, and The Blob. Matthew Collins, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film with Dennerley, stars as Billy, a lowly uni graduate who finds himself at the centre of a full-scale attack from killer sock puppets.
The project was filmed between across nine months at iconic locations across Maitland and Newcastle including Fort Scratchley, Maitland Repertory Theatre, and Maitland’s Family Hotel.
Over 50 locals supported the production either as performers, on-set technical crew, or additional support (including UK rapper Bigredcap, who produced an original song for the soundtrack).
Co-producer Matthew Collins says that indie productions such as Laundry Day do so much to build up community spirit and creativity.
“Filmmaking is a tough business, and we are so grateful that our community has come together to back our project. It belongs just as much to Maitland as it does to Brendan and I,” Mr Collins said.
Laundry Day premieres at 7pm on 24 October 2026 at Studio Amsterdam, Maitland.
