THE 2016 SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL: GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH THE FILMMAKERS

10:00AM: THE UPCOMING AUSTRALIAN FILM SHOWCASE

Promising an in-depth glimpse into the world of local science fiction filmmaking, this very special programme offers an exclusive look behind the scenes of three upcoming Australian sci-fi flicks. The filmmakers behind these three films will be screening clips from their works and answering audience questions. This is your chance to land right at ground zero when it comes to finding out how science fiction films are financed, shot, edited, and released in this country. Whether you're a filmmaker yourself, an aspiring filmmaker, or just a film lover, The Upcoming Australian Film Showcase promises to be truly fascinating.

THE OSIRIS CHILD: SCIENCE FICTION VOLUME ONE

From Australian writer/director, Shane Abbess "“ the man whose creative vision drove the mini-epic fantasy, Gabriel, and the impressive sci-fi thriller, Infini "“ comes The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One, another daring trip into genre filmmaking. Set in the future in a time of interplanetary colonisation, the film tracks an unlikely pair who must race against the clock to prevent an impending global crisis, while being confronted by the monsters that live inside us all. Boasting a strong cast (Kellan Lutz, Daniel MacPherson, Temuera Morrison, Rachel Griffiths, Teagan Croft, Isabel Lucas, Luke Ford), this is another stellar slab of sci-fi from a rising Aussie master. Be the first in the world to see the trailer from the film and to hear from the filmmakers!

BLUE WORLD ORDER

Directed by Dallas Bland and Che Baker, Blue World Order is a sci-fi action belter set in a grim, post-apocalyptic future, with the few survivors driven to violence while competing for scarce resources and battling infectious, deadly bacteria. In an attempt to rebuild civilisation, a self-appointed government called The Order have distributed an immunisation to the bacteria via a massive Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP). Secretly, The Order has also delivered a bio-tech virus through the EMP, giving them the power to control the population. One man remains immune to the Order's virus, Jake Slater (Jake Ryan), who scavenges the wasteland searching for a way to keep his unconscious daughter alive, unaware that she is the last child on Earth, and the key to the survival of mankind. Also starring Billy Zane, Jack Thompson, Stephen Hunter, and Bruce Spence, Blue World Order is a wonderfully manic piece of Australian sci-fi.

SPACE/TIME

Australia is entering a boom period for thoughtful, albeit low budget, science fiction cinema. At the very top of that list is the very exciting Space/Time. Described by its writers "“ Adam Harmer and Michael O'Halloran, who also directs "“ as "Breaking Bad with time travel", the film is set in a world on the brink of disaster. In amongst the starvation, war, and economic collapse, a group of scientists are working on a complex engine with magnanimous ramifications: not only interstellar travel, but the ability to bend time and space itself; in other words, a time machine. When their project is eventually suspended, the group must turn to criminal activity in order to finance their operation, with consequences that could unravel the whole fabric of space and time.

12:00pm: CERULEAN: A SPECIAL PRESENTATION

The debut directorial effort of Tani Kunitake (an accomplished illustrator and storyboard artist whose work has appeared in The Matrix, I Am Legend, Man Of Steel, The Avengers, Edge Of Tomorrow, and the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII), Cerulean is anchored by dancer, actress, motion capture performer and producer Dani Swan, who stars as the title character, an interstellar combat pilot in control of the sentient AI-controlled starship, Hecate. Beginning life as a graphic novel, before being expanded outward into a short form TV series, Cerulean is a true mind-bender. It also graces the poster for the 2016 SciFi Film Festival, pictured below.

In this special presentation, Tani Kunitake will present the concept behind Cerulean, as well as live draw Dani Swan, and both will discuss the project and their unique and groundbreaking approach.