Kya Stewart on Why Hollywood Must Ditch Remakes for Original Voices and ‘Project Hourglass’…

Authority Magazine: Kya Stewart on Why Hollywood Must Ditch Remakes for Original Voices and ‘Project Hourglass’ People’s Choice Win -- Listen Share …“Why are we remaking movies?” There are so many incredible, creative, original stories, human beings, and artists out there. I think we do not need a sure thing; we need people who want to push the envelope, break boundaries, and bring new stories and faces to our screens and the world of cinema. I do not know what is going on there, but we need more people bringing their beautiful, original stories and voices to the screens instead of just remaking films that have already been done.

We have heard that story, and we do not need to see it again. We have new, up-and-coming actors. Give new stories, new voices, and new faces a chance… …“Why are we remaking movies?” There are so many incredible, creative, original stories, human beings, and artists out there. I think we do not need a sure thing; we need people who want to push the envelope, break boundaries, and bring new stories and faces to our screens and the world of cinema. I do not know what is going on there, but we need more people bringing their beautiful, original stories and voices to the screens instead of just remaking films that have already been done.

We have heard that story, and we do not need to see it again. We have new, up-and-coming actors. Give new stories, new voices, and new faces a chance… We had the pleasure of talking with Kya Stewart. We spoke in the aftermath of the 2026 Tropfest at Sydney’s Centennial Park, where the Australian actor recently navigated a rather unique experience: having two different films screen at the world’s largest short film festival. One of those projects, an action-comedy titled “Project Hourglass,” walked away with the People’s Choice Award.

But for Stewart, the road to sharing a festival stage with global industry figures was paved with prosthetic blood, quiet suburban boredom, and the relentless hustle required to survive in the modern film industry. Stewart’s story begins far away from the flashing lights and red carpets of the entertainment business. She was raised in Ingleburn, a quiet, working-class suburb southwest of Sydney. It was the kind of place that fostered active childhoods rather than artistic pursuits. “I actually grew up in a very small suburb… a suburban upbringing,” she recalls. “Surprisingly, where I grew up didn’t have much of a creative arts community.

We were very active kids. I have a twin brother that I grew up with, and we were quite far away from the creative industry. But I think that gave me even more of a pull towards it anyway.” That magnetic pull to perform manifested early. Her first taste of the stage came at age seven in a primary school play, where she was cast against type as a male king. For Stewart, the hook was immediate and permanent. “I just remember my first night up on that stage, and it was an unforgettable feeling,” she says. “It is kind of crazy to say that even at seven years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

That hasn’t changed since.” Of course, childhood dreams eventually collide with the gritty reality of the audition room. Like most working actors, Stewart’s resume is built on a foundation of bizarre gigs, near-misses, and sudden redirections. She is quick to point out that the path to a sustainable acting career is rarely a straight line. She laughs when recalling her very first movie role, a moment she initially mistook for her ultimate big break. “I thought, ‘This is it, I have made it, it’s all happening,’” she says. The reality on set was a little less glamorous. “I was actually cast to play a zombie.

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The article discusses a significant shift in the entertainment industry that could influence brand strategies, making it impactful and relevant, though the idea of prioritizing original content is not entirely new.