A money-smart movie guide

Compiled by Matthew Donlan

If you are like me and spent more money on SFF than your rent, or you're just looking for some ways to save money, then read on!

We all know money is tight right now. This is the fifth or sixth year of the cost-of-living crisis. How long can a crisis last before it just becomes the norm? But cutting back on spending shouldn't mean sacrificing the things we enjoy the most - movies! So below are just some of the places (at home and in Sydney) where you can watch films for free, plus a few recommendations on what to watch!

ABC iView
As much as we like to make fun of the ABC, it is home to some of the best Australian films (and an eclectic mix of international features), all for free without ads! I suggest starting with the First Nations collection or the broader Australian Cinema stream.

What to watch:
Sweet Country by Warwick Thornton
Two Hands by Gregor Jordan

Le Cinema Club
A wonderful pocket of the internet, Le Cinema Club provides one film (short or long) to watch for free for one week until it is replaced by another. It is a joy to discover films each week that you would not watch anywhere else. Just recently LCC finished a collection of new American voices with Julian Castronovo's Debut and a series on the FIFA World Cup with Kleber Filho's The World Cup in Recife.

AFTRS Library
The national film school is hidden away in the neo-capitalist hellscape that is the Entertainment Quarter, but it is home to the largest public collection of films in the southern hemisphere. It is free for any member of the public to sign up, letting you borrow hundreds of hidden gems from the DVD shelves. Plus, every few months, the Library hosts a free screening in the AFTRS main theatre.

Sydney Cinematheque
Bursting onto the Sydney cinema scene at the start of the year, the Cinematheque in the Art Gallery of NSW has become the go to destination for Sydney cinephiles. Offering a regular staple of free screenings, the space is perfect for a day out on the weekend. The current free programme is centred on Gossip across cinema years.

What to watch:
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown by Pedro Almodovar
Mean Girls by Mark Waters

Brollie
Umbrella Entertainment is a much beloved Australian distributor but did you know they have a free streaming service? Home to so many Australian classics (tv shows and film) plus international hits, Brollie is ideal for revisiting old favourites.

What to watch:
The Tunnel by Carlo Ledesma
Don's Party by Bruce Beresford

SBS On Demand
The second national broadcaster is home to more than just naughty late-nite films (although they have a collection prepared for the raunchy types). The selection of films is not only extensive but carefully curated to make finding your next favourite super easy. My go to is the Movies Under 90 Minutes and the Homegrown Cinema collections.

What to watch:
Pasa Faho by Kalu Oji
Fallen Leaves by Aki Kaurismaki

Tubi
Derided by many, Tubi is actually representative of a true cinephile's collection. Where else will you find Satyajit Ray's Aparajito next to Titanic 2 (yes that is an actual film).

What to watch:
Bram Stoker's Dracula by Francis Ford Coppola
Shakma by Tom Logan and Hugh Parks

Pick of the Week
My pick this week is to go make something lo-fi, either by yourself or with friends, and enter it into Shooshfest or S.O.S. Things don't need to look good to be great!

New Releases - Thursday 30 July

• The Birthday Trip (James Robert Woods) AUS
• The Blue Trail (Gabriel Mascaro)
• Bon Voyage, Marie (Enya Baroux)
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Destin Daniel Cretton)