Region Free is about pop culture as seen through autistic eyes. It is a friendly, inclusive, and safe space to discover films, games, and technology in ways not covered by most mainstream media.
Region Free is an inclusive and thoughtful celebration of all things pop culture. At a time when we need empathy and wonder more than ever, Region Free stands as a vocal celebration of art and the belief that pop culture is at its best when shared.
Founded in 2020, it is run by Joonatan Itkonen, an award-winning queer and autistic writer operating in the EU. Apart from Region Free, Joonatan has written for places like Movies We Texted About, Hype Houston, Concur Magazine, FilmTopp, FILMHOUNDS, Debug Magazine, and more.
Joonatan is an active film juror and voting member of FIPRESCI, GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, the European Film Academy (EFA), the International Film Society Critics Association, the Online Film & Television Association, the Finnish Critics Association, and the Finnish Journalists Guild.
He is also the Editor-at-Large for the Finnish gaming outlet KonsoliFIN and a voting member at the Grand Game Awards. He served as a juror on the FIPRESCI jury at the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN 2026).
Read more of his published works on Muckrack.
To reach out for reviews, events, interviews, or anything else, send me an email.
As Seen On
Region Free is recognized as a unique voice in the world of pop culture criticism. Joonatan and Region Free are listed on Metacritic, OpenCritic, and Rotten Tomatoes.
Critic’s Website
The collected Region Free articles are also on Muckrack.
Region Free is entirely reader-funded and has received working grants from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
