The SCI-FI-LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2019, which runs from 15th May until 22nd May across London, will showcase a fantastic lineup with 5 world film premieres, 11 UK film premieres, 11 world short premieres and 13 UK short premieres. It will host 17 features, 36 shorts and 7 VR shorts alongside its regular classic cult events such as the 48 HOUR FILM CHALLENGE and SCI-FIDO, the world’s only cosplay for dogs!
UK Premieres include:
FONOTUNE: AN ELECTRIC FAIRYTALE
Dir: Fint, 2018, Japan/Germany, 74 mins, Japanese/German (English subtitles).
The world will end soon, so what to do? Outside of time, a teen hooker, lo-fi cowboy and a mute drifter cross the white desert to experience the final performance of the mysterious rockstar hero.
This visually stunning work MUST be seen on the big screen. Its soundtrack will leave you humming and tapping for days to come, and its beautiful production design burns your brain.
The film stars Kiki Sukezane (Westworld) and features performances by Guitar Wolf Seiji and Stereo Total.
“Is it daft punk? Is it THX? No, it is FONOTUNE, and you will never forget it.” SFL
ALIEN ADDICTION
Dir: Shae Sterling, 2018, New Zealand, 90 mins, English.
New Zealand is beautiful, and often we only see the ‘Lord of the Rings’ landscapes and not the everyday life of your average stoner.Riko (Jimi Jackson) lives in a small town in the middle of nowhere (Waikato, New Zealand). Life was pretty normal until two aliens crash-landed near Riko’s house. He welcomes the aliens, and together they develop an intergalactic relationship of epic proportions.
“Raw and real as Peter Jackson’s “Bad Taste”, more bro’ than Taika Waititi’s “Boy”, and up there with Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” as a debut indie film. Garth Bray, Amazon”SFL
AXCELLERATOR
Dir: David Giancola, 2019, 93 mins, USA
Dane (RYAN WESEN) was going to steal one last car before he quit forever, but is disturbed by Tomas, an inventor being chased by the police, the F.B.I., and the C.I.A.
Trapped in the manic crossfire, Tomas passes a device to Dane, who is teleported miles away into the arms of Kate (LAURA JAMES, S*W*A*T). She could be the girl of his dreams except for the global conspiracy he has just embroiled her in. The FBI’s Ray Moritz (MAXWELL CAULFIELD, Grease 2) wants to destroy it, Amanda Graham (SEAN YOUNG, Blade Runner) wants it for the C.I.A., and rogue agent Sy Devol (JOHN JAMES, Dynasty) has his sinister plans.
Sy unleashes his brutal assassin, Brink (SAM J. JONES, Flash Gordon) who leaves a trail of corpses behind him while pursuing the ‘Axcellerator’ device. To stay alive, Dane and Kate must discover the Axcellerator’s secret. An exhilarating rollercoaster ride reminiscent of 80s blockbusters – a classic, fun action thriller.
John James is confirmed to attend, others TBA.
AFTER THE LETHARGY
Dir: Marc Carrete, 2018, 82 mins, SPAIN
Sara, a journalist with a keen interest in UFOs, receives a video from a paranormal researcher, talking about a hotspot for landings and sightings. She travels to the forest to meet the researcher and meets the park ranger who tells her of a dark character who lives alone deep in the woods and the abandoned retreat. Soon she discovers the truth about the UFo sightings and must fight for her life.
“All-out monster, promising a mesmerising mix of terror and adventure” Bloody Disgusting
“Takes hybridisation to extremely graphic proportions'”Dread Central
“Old school sci-fi horror at its finest, great twists and turns, seat of the pants thrills and some truly gross-out moments.” SFL
THE FINAL LAND
Dir: Marcel Barion, 2019, 113 mins, Germany, German (English subtitles)
Across the bleak wilderness, the prisoner has escaped, looking for a rumoured ship that might get him off-world. One of his pursuers discovers him aboard the craft and instead of turning him in declares he also wants a way out and together they fly away. But who built the ship and where did it come from, more importantly, where are the crew? As they try to answer these questions, they hear a strange signal and obsessing on its origin head toward it.
This feature debut by Barion is a testament to what performance and pragmatic use of resources can achieve. At times it feels like ALIEN, at others like 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.
“An outstanding science fiction story that never once reveals a low budget.” SFL
LAST SUNRISE
Dir: Wen Ren, 2018, 104 mins, China, Mandarin (English subtitles)
In a future reliant on solar energy, the world falls into chaos after the sun disappears, the skies are lit only by the stars and the temperature is rapidly dropping; eventually, oxygen on Earth will be exhausted. Yang, a reclusive astronomer, and Mu, a neighbour he hardly knows, must find their way to a supposed sanctuary located in District Four.
Ren’s debut film has a unique take on end of days stories with spectacularly realised special effects showing how different our world, and everything that we take for granted in it, would look in the absence of the Sun.
“It is fantastic to see China producing high concept and stylish indie sci-fi, don’t miss this one.” SFL
MAJIC
Dir: Erin Berry, 2019, 82 mins, CANADA
Bernwood (Paula Brancati, Slashers) is an anti-conspiracy video blogger. She spends all her time debunking conspiracy theory until she gets a note from an old man claiming to have worked for the legendary Majestic-12 (aka majic), a secret US spy agency, created after the UFO incident at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. So begins her trip down the rabbit hole looking for answers as reality as she seems to know it is unravelling.
“Sitting squarely in X-files territory and plays brilliantly with alternate realities and what we perceive to be real” SFL
ARTIST DEPICTION
Dir: Brett Ryan Bonowicz, 2018, USA, 82 mins, English.
Conceptual artists Don Davis, Charles Lindsay, and Rick Guidice have helped bring NASA projects to life. Their incredible pioneering artwork, which helped define the aesthetics of futurism and space travel, is ubiquitous; and yet these artists have always been hidden behind the scenes until now.
The second documentary that Bonowicz has had at the festival, last year we screened CLOSER THAN WE THINK about conceptual artist Arthur Radebaugh. Again, Bonowicz delivers a love-letter to concept art and design.
“If you’ve got an eye on the future, then learn about those who’ve helped shape it.” SFL
CHASING EINSTEIN
Dir: Timothy Wheeler and Steve Brown, 2019, 81 mins, USA
Einstein’s vision of gravity has shaped our understanding of the universe for the 100 years since Eddington confirmed his theory in 1919.
Nobody has succeeded in challenging Einstein’s theory despite its startling conclusion that the vast majority of gravity must be caused by an invisible form of ‘matter’ that has yet to be detected. The search for this missing “Dark Matter” will either confirm Einstein or disrupt a century of physics.
Following leading scientists including Nobel Laureates on the brink of paradigm-shifting discoveries, CHASING EINSTEIN travels behind the scenes of some of the most extraordinary experiments ever created to probe the mysteries of the dark universe (LIGO, CERN, XENON 1T).Will Einstein stand the test of time, or will a controversial new theory change the way that we see the universe?
LUCID
Dir: Adam Morse, 2018, 86 mins, UK
A young man practices an experimental form of therapy after his enigmatic neighbour offers to help him overcome social anxiety and win the girl of his dreams.
Isolated in a big city with no friends, young Zel simultaneously fears and craves intimacy. He has a pitiful obsession with a dancer called Jasmine and is caught spying on her by an eccentric neighbour Elliot (Billy Zane) who offers to help him win her heart.
Lust leads Zel on an intense subliminal adventure as Elliot teaches him how lucid dreaming can be used to practice the art of seduction but will Zel be able to charm Jasmine in reality? This thought-provoking film, with great cinematography and luscious production design, will stay with you for a long time.
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