Furby Folx

A devotional gathering at NCM celebrating the non-binary icon, FURBY

The majestic Furby has long straddled the worlds of misunderstood creature and adored companion. A bit weird, a bit cute: rejected by some, but beloved by others. Designed to be angelic creatures with no gender. Step into the world of the Furby who knows what it is to be all things at once.

Join Lord Freddy Furby (Freddy Weir) and Patrick Lenton in a Furby congregation at the NCM. Consider the birth of robotic companions and discuss the future with the Furby choir on display in FRIEND, in an exclusive afterhours exhibition viewing experience at NCM.

Hear Freddy and Patrick share their extensive pop culture and Furby expertise (obsession) as they discuss the non-binary Queer icon that is Furby. Bring your own Furby or other companion creature to enter the competition adjudicated by Freddy and Patrick – which Furby will reign as Supreme Companion?

Dah doo-ay wah! (Big fun!)

This program will include a bar with drinks available to purchase. Young people under 18 years need to attend with an adult. Doors open at 5.30pm with an opportunity to view FRIEND before the program begins at 6pm.

Speakers

Freddy Weir is a writer, comedian, and Furby collector. Their fiction writing focuses on trans and queer experiences of love and nostalgia, with a focus on creating joyful, hopeful narratives. They live in Naarm, Melbourne, with their partner Kevin, two enormous tabby cats, and forty or so Furbys.

Patrick Lenton is a writer, journalist, and author living in Melbourne, Australia. He is an author of short stories, essays and recently published his debut novel, a Queer rom-com called In Spite of You, in August 2025.

About FRIEND

FRIEND dives into our weird, wonderful, and sometimes complicated relationships with machines. Step inside and see how robots can be our friends, how technology makes us who we are, and how machines can even make us better humans. Whether you’re here to reminisce, to giggle, or to get a glimpse of what’s next, FRIEND invites you to play, wonder, and take part in shaping the future of robotics.