From 15-22 May in London, we screen some brain-fuelling, mind-bending movies. Join us. sci-fi-london.com #sfl19

2. AVAILABLE NOW ON DEMAND

3. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 1
Louis Savy
Founder and Festival Director
I am delighted to present this
year’s line-up of films and
events. What with Brexit and
the ongoing Trumpery of the
past year it has felt very like a
science fiction dystopia that
no one would have believed if
it had been written down.
Rather than present a festival
of dark dystopian overtones,
we’ve decided to take a more
positive look at the future. We
want to encourage, enthuse
and explore the best of
humanity; focusing away from
fears of political and scientific
changes. And, for us, nothing
says hope better than a smiley
face on a balloon, and I want
to thank Territory Studio for
creating this year’s poster art.
All that said, the selection this
year, of course, delivers its
fair share of less than upbeat
outcomes but, like all good
science fiction, perhaps these
movies will sound a warning
and lead us down better
paths.
The Best Short Film accolade
this year has been awarded
to the student film, WITHIN
THEIR SHADOW by Caroline
Post. Whilst it paints a bleak
picture, for me, it is a wise
and considered film that asks
‘should we, just because we
can’? I hope that collectively
we can be alert to the social
impact of new technology
and plan accordingly. I urge
you to see the film in our
shorts programme and look
forward to chatting in the bar.
Finally, as ever, I hope you
take away something positive
from the festival – the team
has worked hard scouring the
world for films that give your
head and heart some fuel.
Live long and prosper
SCI-FI-LONDON 2019
WELCOME TO

4. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 20192
It is unclear if the young
man (Garrett Wareing) has
committed the horrible crime,
but his mother (Abbie Cornish)
sends him to a luxurious retreat
full of beautiful hedonistic
people for therapy. He will
receive an experimental
treatment to cure his ills and
discover his true self. His
mother has been there, but
does she want to help him
become ‘perfect’?
Frenetic editing, soul shocking
set-pieces and some eye-popping
animation by Kidmograph:
PERFECT alternates between
calm and chaos, and picks at
themes of AI, genetic engineering
and esotericism.
With its super-heightened visuals
worthy of Gasper Noé, production
design that DAZED would find
hard to beat and a stunning
soundtrack by Flying Lotus,
this is ALTERED STATES for the
iGeneration.
Introduced by Güneş Taylor,
a Postdoctoral Training Fellow
at the Francis Crick Institute.
Güneş will discuss topics such
as genome editing and human
enhancement. In association
with The Biochemical Society
WED 15 MAY
9.00PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR:
EDDIE ALCAZAR
YEAR: 2018
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 85
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: BREAKER
PERFECT
UK
PREMIERE
OPENING
NIGHT

5. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 3
In 1955, NATO and the Allied
Forces conducted secret, occult
experiments in a bid to win the
Arms Race. They succeeded, but
what they unleashed almost
tore our world apart and sent
a human through a portal to
somewhere very alien.
This was the story of THE RIZEN,
our closing night premiere in
2017.
Come forward to now, and a
group of urban explorers is
exploring the abandoned bunker.
But will they and a private
military unit sent in after them,
become the final pieces in a 60-
year plan to reopen a door that
should have stayed closed.
Violent and witty in equal
amounts, this is a very British
sci-fi horror.
WED 22 MAY
8.45PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR:
MATT MITCHELL
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 90
COUNTRY: UK
SOURCE: DIRECT
THE RIZEN: POSSESSION
WORLD
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A
CLOSING
NIGHT

6. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 20194
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.
THU 16 MAY
6.20PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR:
MARC CARRETÉ
YEAR: 2018
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 82
COUNTRY: SPAIN
SOURCE:
DEVILWORKS
AFTER THE LETHARGY
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

7. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 5
Two years after the nuclear
bombs dropped — welcome
to the future, where there’s no
fuel or power, and society is a
barbaric mess. Survivors Kate,
husband Sam, and daughter
Suzi are searching for a
rumoured bunker that people
say is full of food and medicine.
En route, they meet the solitary
Joe, who may not have the
group’s best interests at heart.
Kate will have to do everything
possible to protect her family.
A well-drawn post-apocalyptic
world full of thrills and spills —
a welcome addition to the PA
canon.
THU 16 MAY
9.00PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR:
MARTIN GOOCH
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 106
COUNTRY: UK
SOURCE: DIRECT
BLACK FLOWERS
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

8. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 20196
In the near future, the TANGLE,
an AI with airborne nanotech,
connects the world. The Tangle
is benevolent; it has stopped
crime, keeps us well and safe.
But to make sure it never turns
rogue a government agency
watches over the population
from within technology safe
rooms, locations impermeable
to the nanobots that make up
the Tangle.
When field agent Margot Foster
is found dead in one of these
rooms, the agency needs to
investigate the first murder in
years.
A brilliant sci-fi noir written and
directed by Christopher Soren
Kelly (Somnus – at SFL16) and
stars Jessica Graham (Crazy
Bitches) and Nicole Da Silva
(Wentworth)
FRI 17 MAY
6.20PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR:
CHRISTOPHER
SOREN KELLY
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 100
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: DIRECT
THE TANGLE
WORLD
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

9. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 7
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 a 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.
FRI 17 MAY
9.00PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: FINT
YEAR: 2018
LANGUAGE:
JAPANESE
(ENGLISH SUBS)
RUNTIME: 74
COUNTRY: JAPAN/
GERMANY
SOURCE: DIRECT
FONOTUNE: AN ELECTRIC FAIRYTALE
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

10. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 20198
Starring Jimi Jackson, Thomas
Sainsbury, JoJo Waaka.
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
SAT 18 MAY
3.30PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: SHAE
STERLING
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 90
COUNTRY:
AUSTRALIA
SOURCE: DIRECT
ALIEN ADDICTION
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

11. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 9
Dane 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). 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) wants to destroy it,
Amanda Graham (SEAN YOUNG)
wants it for the C.I.A., and rogue
agent Sy Devol (JOHN JAMES) has
his sinister plans.
Sy unleashes his brutal assassin,
Brink (SAM J. JONES) 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.
SAT 18 MAY
6.00PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: DAVID
GIANCOLA
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 93
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: DIRECT
AXCELLERATOR
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

12. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201910
Trevor doesn’t really like
gardening but has an allotment
in which he spends his days
avoiding his overbearing wife.
Most of his time in his shed is
spent painting figurines for
wargames he plays with his
friend, Graham, both of them
dreaming and arguing about
their gaming alter-egos.
One day, Mr Parsons, one of
the other allotment tenants,
knocks with a petition to have
Trevor evicted as his plot is a
disgrace. After what should
have been a simple argument,
Trevor is left with a corpse to
hide. Unfortunately, this untimely
accident coincides with the
Zombie Apocalypse and Mr
Parsons’ return is just the start of
Trevor’s problems. More pressing
is whether or not he should try
and save his wife (Lauren Socha)
and her beautiful best friend
(Emily Booth), who both he and
Graham have a thing for...
It’s darkly funny, gruesome and
a little bit rude! SHAUN OF THE
DEAD meets THE ARCHERS.
SAT 18 MAY
9.00PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: DREW
CULLINGHAM
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 85
COUNTRY: UK
SOURCE: DIRECT
SHED OF THE DEAD
WORLD
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

13. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 11
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.
This documentary follows
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?
SUN 19 MAY
1.00PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: TIMOTHY
WHEELER, STEVE
BROWN
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 81
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: DIRECT
CHASING EINSTEIN
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A
DOCUMENTARY
STRAND

14. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201912
Bernwood (Paula Brancati)
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, this feature plays
brilliantly with alternate
realities and what we perceive
to be real.
SUN 19 MAY
3.15PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: ERIN BERRY
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 82
COUNTRY:
CANADA
SOURCE: DIRECT
MAJIC
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

15. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 13
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.
This is 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.
SUN 19 MAY
4.50PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: BRETT RYAN
BONOWICZ
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 81
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: DIRECT
ARTIST DEPICTION
UK
PREMIERE
DOCUMENTARY
STRAND

16. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201914
TITLE VENUE DATE TIME
PERFECT PCC WED 15 MAY 9.00PM
HACKSTOCK V HQ THU 16 MAY 12—8.00PM
AFTER THE LETHARGY PCC THU 16 MAY 6.20PM
BLACK FLOWERS PCC THU 16 MAY 9.00PM
HACKSTOCK V HQ FRI 17 MAY 12—8.00PM
THE TANGLE PCC FRI 17 MAY 6.20PM
FONOTUNE: AN ELECTRIC FAIRYTALE PCC FRI 17 MAY 9.00PM
HACKSTOCK V HQ SAT 18 MAY 12—8.00PM
SHORTS 1 SPH SAT 18 MAY 12.30PM
SCI-FIDO COSPLAY FOR DOGS PCC SAT 18 MAY 2.00PM
SHORTS 2 SPH SAT 18 MAY 14.40PM
ALIEN ADDICTION PCC SAT 18 MAY 3.30PM
SHORTS 3 SPH SAT 18 MAY 4.50PM
AXCELLERATOR PCC SAT 18 MAY 6.00PM
SHORTS 4 SPH SAT 18 MAY 6.55PM
SHED OF THE DEAD SPH SAT 18 MAY 9.00PM
CHASING EINSTEIN SPH SUN 19 MAY 1.00PM
SHORTS 2 SPH SUN 19 MAY 2.45PM
MAJIC PCC SUN 19 MAY 3.15PM
ARTIST DEPICTION SPH SUN 19 MAY 4.50PM
LAST SUNRISE PCC SUN 19 MAY 5.25PM
SHORTS 3 SPH SUN 19 MAY 6.40PM
THE FINAL LAND PCC SUN 19 MAY 8.30PM
SHORTS 4 SPH MON 20 MAY 1.30PM
SHORTS 1 SPH MON 20 MAY 4.10PM
ZOO-HEAD SPH MON 20 MAY 6.30PM
AFTER WE LEAVE SPH MON 20 MAY 20.45PM
PROGRAMME
SCI-FI-LONDON 2019

17. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 15
Ticket prices vary – see relevant pages for booking links online at sci-fi-london.com
STRATFORD PICTUREHOUSE (SPH)
Salway Rd, London E15 1BX
0871 902 5740
www.picturehouses.com
@SEPicturehouse
PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA (PCC)
Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BY
020 7494 3654
www.princecharlescinema.com
@ThePCCLondon
SCI-FI-LONDON HQ (HQ)
Off Charing Cross Road, W1
to get the exact location, visit
sfl.to/hackstock
OUR VENUES:
HOW TO GET TO STRATFORD
For those of you who want to stay out a bit later in Stratford, festival visitors are welcome to use the
bar at Moxy Hotel until 1.00am each night - it’s just across the road from the cinema!
For those at the PCC, in the West End - there is a lot of choice.
SHORTS 2 SPH TUE 21 MAY 1.30PM
SHORTS 3 SPH TUE 21 MAY 4.10PM
FILMMAKERS NETWORKING SPH TUE 21 MAY 6.00PM
SHORTS 4 SPH TUE 21 MAY 6.30PM
48HOUR AWARDS SPH TUE 21 MAY 6.30PM
SHORTS 1 SPH TUE 21 MAY 8.45PM
LUCID SPH WED 22 MAY 6.30PM
THE RIZEN:POSSESSION SPH WED 22 MAY 8.45PM
Stratford Picturehouse is easily accessible
by public transport.
By Underground and Rail
A short walk from Stratford Station (Central
line, DLR, Jubilee line, Overground and
National Rail).
By Bus
From Stratford train and bus station,
cross the road and walk through Stratford
Shopping Centre (the shopping centre
directly opposite the station). Turn left at
the central atrium, following the signs for
the cinema and the Theatre Royal exit.
The bus routes available are 25, 69, 86, 97,
104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 339,
425, 473 and D3.
HOW TO GET TO LEICESTER PLACE
The Prince Charles cinema is just off
Leicester Square and accessible by public
transport.
By Underground and Rail
A short walk from Leicester Square
underground station (Northern line,
Piccadilly line). About a 15 minute walk
from Charing Cross mainline station.
By Bus
Once you enter Leicester Square, look
for the Vue Cinema or Premier Inn Hotel,
Leicester Place is a small road heading
north from the centre of the square.
The bus routes available are 24, 29, 176.
Many others stop within 5 minutes walk.

18. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201916
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.
SUN 19 MAY
5.25PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: WEN REN
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
MANDARIN
(ENGLISH SUBS)
RUNTIME: 104
COUNTRY: CHINA
SOURCE: DIRECT
LAST SUNRISE
UK
PREMIERE

19. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 17
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 obsessed by
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.
SUN 19 MAY
8.30PM
PRINCE
CHARLES
DIR: MARCEL
BARION
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
GERMAN
(ENGLISH SUBS)
RUNTIME: 113
COUNTRY:
GERMANY
SOURCE: DIRECT
THE FINAL LAND
UK
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

20. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201918
Charlie is a zoo-head, a slang
term given to junkies addicted
to a powerful hallucinogenic
that has memory munching
side-effects. Squatting in a
foetid apartment and existing
on benefits, Charlie is a mess,
and it is about to get worse.
The Social Service is forcing
the long-term unemployed to
under-go radically experimental
treatment to get them
‘normalised’; the only danger
would be to zoo-heads. Charlie
gets called in and lies about
his situation, and so begins his
treatment.
With the aesthetic of
TRAINSPOTTING and the
weirdness of GROUNDHOG DAY,
this is a strong debut from Dev.
Great performances and a great
soundtrack to boot.
MON 20 MAY
6.30PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: NAVIN DEV
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 80
COUNTRY: UK
SOURCE: DIRECT
ZOO-HEAD
WORLD
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

21. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 19
Near future, Los Angeles is
a bleak place: permanent
recession, water shortages,
and rising crime. Six years
ago, Jack abandoned his wife
and vanished. Now he’s back
because before he left, they’d
applied for a visa to emigrate
to a better life on an off-world
colony.
The permit has finally come
through, but there’s a catch: it’s
a couple’s visa, and Jack cannot
leave Earth without his wife. Is
Jack back because he wants to
make things right or because he
needs his wife so he can use this
“lottery ticket” to a better life?
Hossain’s debut feature has
a vibrant script, satisfying
special effects and outstanding
performances – the type of film
this festival searches for every
year. Don’t miss it.
MON 20 MAY
8.45PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: ALEEM
HOSSAIN
YEAR: 2019
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 83
COUNTRY: USA
SOURCE: DIRECT
AFTER WE LEAVE
WORLD
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

22. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201920
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 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. 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.
WED 22 MAY
6.30PM
STRATFORD
PICTUREHOUSE
DIR: ADAM MORSE
YEAR: 2018
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
RUNTIME: 86
COUNTRY: UK
SOURCE: FILM
FESTIVAL DOCTOR
LUCID
LONDON
PREMIERE
DIRECTOR
Q & A

23. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 21
BLINK OF AN EYE
SHORT FILM SELECTION
BEST SHORT FILM 2019
WITHIN THEIR SHADOW (SHORTS 1)
(Dir: Caroline Post, USA, 12mins, 2018, English).
This speculative documentary re-contextualises the narrative of the small-town,
rural worker, within a future landscape where renewable energy is the current
industry facing a slow-down. The film juxtaposes interviews with employees of the
declining sectors of America’s rust belt region and conversations with technologists
and developers from Palo Alto. It offers different perspectives of those who benefit
in these imagined futures, and those who are left behind in the shadows of a utopic
world. A brilliant film that correctly asks “just because we can, should we?”
SCI-FI-LONDON loves short film! We think short film is perfect for science fiction, it
gives filmmakers the chance to play with ideas and high concepts without having to
add drama for the sake of filling ninety minutes. We’ve watched hundreds of films and
selected our favourites! We hope you can make it to one of our shorts programmes
at Stratford Picturehouse - see them on the big screen!
WITHIN THEIR SHADOW
SHORTS 1
18 MAY 12.30PM
20 MAY 4.10PM
21 MAY 8.45PM
SHORTS 2
18 MAY 4.40PM
19 MAY 2.45PM
21 MAY 1.30PM
SHORTS 3
18 MAY 4.50PM
19 MAY 6.40PM
21 MAY 4.10PM
SHORTS 4
18 MAY 6.55PM
20 MAY 1.30PM
21 MAY 6.30PM
ALL SHORT FILMS SCREEN AT STRATFORD PICTUREHOUSE

24. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201922
WITHIN THEIR SHADOWS
See page 21
VINETA & LAURA
(Dir: Roberts Kulenko, Latvia, 20mins, 2017, Latvian/English subs).
Something has crashed in the potato farmers field. The local
authorities want him out of the way; he just wants to tend his plants
— a gentle first contact story.
HAMMER DOWN
(Dir: Dan Pasto, USA, 3mins, 2018, English).
Another late night on the job in a post-apocalyptic dystopia. It’s
supremely dirty work, but it’s a living — a fab animation with dark
humour and explicit graphic violence.
PERFECTLY NATURAL
(Dir: Victor Alonso-Berbel, USA, 13mins, 2018, Mandarin)
Future Families Inc. offer a virtual parenting system that gives
babies access to a better life. But this technology comes at a price..
THE WATCHERS
(Dir: Andrew McGee, UK, 8mins, 2018, English).
Two hundred twenty miles above Earth, four astronauts on board
the International Space Station are forced to witness the end of the
human race.
THE SHIPMENT
(Dir: Bobby Bala, USA, 13mins, 2018, English).
An ex-slave trader stranded and broke faces his dark past and
difficult ethical choices in a desperate attempt to provide a better
life for his daughter.
BLINK
(Dir: Natalie Martins, UK, 2mins, 2018, English)
A lonely girl who has the world at her fingertips.
THE WAY THE FUTURE WAS
(Dir: Raphael Kryszek, USA, 23mins, 2018, English).
A system error on Matt’s Alexa appears to have saved him from a
fatal train crash, his co-worker Charlie discovers that he’s caught
between two realities through a new form of digital time travel.
DISSIDENCE (2084)
(Dir: Matthew Brdlik, USA, 10mins, 2018, English).
In 2084, smartphones are compulsory. One man leaves his at home,
and he soon discovers the truth about the surveillance state he is
living in.
FACE SWAP
(Dir: David Gidali, Einat Tubi, USA, 5mins, 2018, English).
A guy convinces his wife to try out a new A.I. technology to spice
up their sex life, but he ends up getting a bit more spice than he
bargained for.
WITHIN THEIR SHADOWS
HAMMER DOWN
THE WATCHERS
BLINK
THE SHIPMENT
THE WAY THE FUTURE WAS
PERFECTLY NATURAL
VINETA & LAURA
SHORTS 1
DISSIDENCE (2084)
FACE SWAP

25. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 23
CC
(Dir: Kailey Spear, Sam Spear, Canada, 14mins, 2018, English).
CC, is an Artificially Intelligent Nanny. When a violent incident occurs
between CC and the family, an investigative team must determine
what happened.
ATHENA
(Dir: Nick Walker, USA, 20mins, 2018, English).
A famous screenwriter has a secret writing AI called Athena. Her
latest work is so good, she decides she finally deserves artistic credit.
SOMNIUM
(Dir: Mayed Al Qasimi, UK, 14mins, 2018, English).
An intergalactic courier on her final job, with her laconic yet trusted
ship, must face an unexpected challenge.
HYPOCHONDRIAC
(Dir: Carnior, Canada, 5mins, 2018, French/English subs).
A couple spends their long drive moaning about who feels worse,
forgetting that “In space, no one can hear you complain”.
FAULTY FATHER
(Dir: Benjamin Welmond, USA, 10mins, 2018, English).
A young father’s morning routine is disturbed when he uncovers his
wife’s bizarre secret, one that forces him to question his sense of self
and his role in the family.
THE LAST
(Dir: Samuel Turner, Andrew Dobson, UK, 9mins, 2018, English).
Struggling to survive in isolation, a scientist carries out vital work.
FLOTATING
(Dir: Frankie De Leonardis, Spain, 8mins, 2018, Spanish/English subs).
A Russian astronaut awakes in the ISS space after an accident to
find a strange guy outside who keeps knocking on the door.
DROWNING
(Dir: Pedro Harres, Germany, 5mins, 2018, German).
Old Hans must learn to swim in the big sea of information that is the
Internet nowadays. Is he prepared for the overwhelming amount of
distractions and traps that the online world can offer?
REGULATION
(Dir: Ryan Patch, USA, 11mins, 2018, English).
Behavior-modifying ‘patches’ guarantee happiness for the wearers.
But Kaleigh, a precocious 10-year old girl, refuses to accept the
treatment.
LAB RAT
(Dir: Nour Wazzi, UK, 15mins, 2018, English).
A group of scientists trapped in a lab learns that one of them is an
A.I. and it has been deceiving them.
SHORTS 2 CC
SOMNIUM
FAULTY FATHER
FLOTATING
THE LAST
DROWNING
HYPOCHONDRIAC
ATHENA
REGULATION
LAB RAT

26. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201924
DEEP DISH APOCALYPSE
HASHTAG
THE HEREAFTER
MIRACLE DESERT
WATCH ROOM
ONE IN HUNDREDS
AJI
RUST IN PEACE
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEX
DEEP DISH APOCALYPSE
(Dir: David Codeglia, United States, 8mins, 2018, English).
As a zombie-riddled Los Angeles erupts in chaos, two co-workers
bump into each other beneath the city on an abandoned subway
platform.
RUST IN PEACE
(Dir: Will Welles, United States, 17mins, 2018, English).
An abandoned robot awakens alone in a junkyard and travels home
to his creator’s ranch.
HASHTAG
(Dir: Ben Alpi, United States, 15mins, 2018, English).
In a looming future where social media celebrities dominate our
culture, X is the world’s supreme online icon. But how can X know
what’s right and what’s fake?
AJI
(Dir: Anastasia Berezovsky, United Kingdom, 10mins, 2018, English).
Maria wakes up a prisoner in Frank’s house and yet seemingly goes
along with his demands. Will the exact nature of their relationship
be revealed when unexpected guests arrive?
THE HEREAFTER
(Dir: Paul-Anthony Navarro, United States, 11mins, 2018, English).
When Alex awakes into an afterlife of her own design, she discovers
that her paradise might just be purgatory.
WATCH ROOM
(Dir: Noah Wagner, United States, 17mins, 2018, English).
Three scientists working to develop human-friendly artificial
intelligence are at risk when the AI learns it might be shut down,
and turns the tables on its creators.
MIRACLE DESERT
(Dir: Mark Hosack, United States, 13mins, 2019, English).
Area 51 finds would-be criminals, Casper and Henry, with nothing
but their wits… or lack thereof… to help them survive before the real
danger arrives.
ONE IN HUNDREDS
(Dir: Mark Towers, United Kingdom, 9mins, 2017, English).
Daisy explains to her brother the many-universe interpretation of
quantum physics, and he thinks it’s utterly ridiculous... in quite a lot
of them.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEX
(Dir: Hikaru Tsukuda, Japan, 4mins, 2018, Japanese/English subs).
When some fossilised tissues dug up in the Rift Valley, the
archaeologist and his assistant disagree on what they may have
been used for.
SHORTS 3

27. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 25
THE NINE BILLION NAMES OF GOD
AD INFINITUM
GEMINI
ZERO
UNREGISTERED
CAPTAIN TRAER SMILES AT THE STARS
HIDDEN LIFE
FINAL OFFER
THE NINE BILLION NAMES OF GOD
(Dir: FILHOL Dominique, France, 15mins, 2018, English).
1957, New York. A Tibetan monk rents an ‘automatic sequence
computer’. They hope it can help them list all of the names of God.
Based on the book by Arthur C. Clarke.
FINAL OFFER
(Dir: Mark Slutsky, Canada, 12mins, 2018, English).
Henry, an ambulance-chasing lawyer, wakes up in a mysterious
room. He’s greeted by a woman who informs him he’s been selected
to negotiate a deal on behalf of the human race.
AD INFINITUM
(Dir: Murat Çetinkaya, Turkey, 13mins, 2018, Turkish/English subs).
At the centre of a barren and mysterious desert stands the box. Is it a
cage, prison or the home of real power?
HIDDEN LIFE
(Dir: Valeria Brenes, Costa Rica, 15mins, 2018, Spanish/English subs).
Sam lives in a city governed by an authoritarian regime. She makes
propaganda television which tells how the outside world is infertile.
But a chance discovery may change everything.
GEMINI
(Dir: Mily Mumford, Canada, 13mins, 2018, English).
Angie is a star player in the VR Game “Gemini”. On her way
home she meets Chad on the subway platform. Through their
conversation, they discover they have a past which is darker than it
initially seems.
UNREGISTERED
(Dir: Sophia Banks, USA, 15mins, 2018, English).
In a world where the state says ‘One child per home’. Ata witnesses
the arrest of an unregistered second child and begins to question
the state of society and confront a secret of her own.
ZERO
(Dir: Keith Lynch, David T. Lynch, UK, 15mins, 2018, English).
After a mysterious electromagnetic pulse renders the world’s
technology useless, a young girl finds herself isolated and alone with
only her father’s strict set of rules to keep her alive.
CAPTAIN TRAER SMILES AT THE STARS
(Dir: Damian K. Lahey, USA 10mins, 2018, English).
A fearless captain finds herself adrift in space without hope of
rescue. She has little time to put her affairs in order.
SHORTS 4

28. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201926
LOOK OUT FOR HEADSETS AROUND
THE FESTIVAL SHOWING OUR VR SELECTION
THE BOOK OF TRUE FEELINGS
ROCKETMAN 360
FUTURE WAR SIMULATOR
CYBERDREAM VR
EN MACHINA
THE ALL-SEEING EYE
AURORA
SYMPATHETIC THREADS
THE BOOK OF TRUE FEELINGS
Dir: Jason Ahlquist. 2017, 3mins, USA
A simple experiment on how performance context cues in virtual
reality can shape experienced emotion. Ahlquist describes the work
as an inverse of the Kuleshov experiment that discovered essential
principles in context cues to convey meaning and emotion in film
editing.
SYMPATHETIC THREADS
Dir: Gregory Ferris. 2018, 13mins, Australia.
A speculative fantasy drama that follows the characters as they
interact throughout an evening together. Combining live action,
animation and a spatialised soundtrack to immerse you in the lives
of these people.
ROCKETMAN 360
Dir: Millo Simulov. 2018, 20mins, Romania.
A few minutes before taking off to Mars, an astronaut receives a 360
video from his girlfriend.
AURORA
Dir: Aoife Doyle. 2018, 5mins, Ireland.
Set in a beautiful forest clearing “AURORA” gives the audience space
to experience the majesty of nature through a time-lapse style
narrative of day to night, spring to winter and life to death.
FUTURE WARFARE SIMULATOR: THE YEAR 2030
Dir: Jason Trembath. 2018, 9mins, Australia.
The year is 2030. How does the world look? What are the meta-
trends that the global military has to deal with? This 360 film was
created for the Australian Army’s Future Warfare Directorate.
EN MACHINA
Dir: Liam Brady. 2018, 12mins, USA
Two inventors, Steve and Steve, create the world’s first true artificial
intelligence in their garage, but it doesn’t seem to be impressed.
CYBERDREAM VR
Dir: Jon Weinel. 2019, 3mins, UK
A virtual hallucination taking you on a journey through the broken
techno-utopias of cyberspace. A psychedelic world of surrealistic
rave visuals and vaporwave music.
THE ALL-SEEING EYE
Dir: Marius Matesan. 2019, 5mins, UK
It paints the world differently. A Mixed-Reality Location Based
Experience, Powered By MagicLeap & SubPac
VR AND 360
In association with

29. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 2019 27
#HACKSTOCKV
ARTIFICIALREALITIESWITHOUTBOUNDARIES
Popping up for our 5th
happening, come join altered
state pioneers, virtual dreamers,
cyberdelic creators, and
reality hackers. Transcend
the mainstream limitations of
perception and reality, in our
secret West End hideaway, for
three days and by password
invite entry only.
Have you ever tripped on
technology? Traveled to another
world in your own head? Lost
all sense of reality? We’re not
talking about dropping acid
– just the coded kind – and
tripping out on mixed reality,
holograms, mind control and
more…
In collaboration with PsychFi and Ravensbourne University
London: PlayLabZ, come try holograms, virtual reality, mind
control and other mind-blowing sensory stimulating fun.
Experience the realtime holographic “Looking Glass” Mirror, take
a blast of LED LSD with Brain Analyser, get into your ninja groove
and smash the bass with “Beat Saber”, jack into the Magiverse
with the freeky pixels of The All Seeing Eye all powered by
SubPac.
This is a free event, Thu 16 — Sat 18 May in Soho.
For access to #HACKSTOCKV visit SFL.TO/HACKSTOCK
“The atmosphere in the room is electric,
and captures the latest upsurge in
cyberculture..” Oxford University Press

30. THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASTIC FILM 15 — 22 MAY 201928
Bunny Galore, our fabulous compère
SCI-FIDO
DOG SHOW
It’s not all serious
dystopias and paranoia
at the festival, DOGSTAR
PHOTOS present our
cosplay for dogs! In aid of
the amazing charity,
ALL DOGS MATTER.
Got a four-legged friend
who likes to dress up as a
sci-fi or fantasy character?
Or a pooch that looks like
Leia? Bring them along to
our ‘dressed-up dog’ photo
session. Hosted by the
glamorous Bunny Galore,
parade your dogs outside
The Prince Charles
Cinema on
SAT 18 MAY at 2.00PM,
Have your dog professionally
photographed for free and
the best dressed dogs will
win goody bags and
portrait of their pooch!
Sign up at sfl.to/dogstar
Back in 2008 when
Gareth Edwards
(GODZILLA, STAR
WARS: ROGUE ONE)
won, we had around 50
teams take part in the
film challenge. This
year over 250 teams
entered!
Each year we have
incredible films and
mind-bending stories
submitted, it just
goes to show that you
really don’t need huge
budgets and special
effects to make a good
sci-fi.
The 2019 film
challenge has great
prizes including kit
from Adobe and
Black Magic Design
and support from
ShootingPeople,
Dolby and EditPool.
THE SCI-FI-LONDON
48 HOUR FILM CHALLENGE
topdown:BearsRebeccaFonte,JimAl-Khalili,KateCrowe,NicolaPearcey,LeonClarence
It’s simple: make a 5 minute short film in two days!
THE 2019 JURY
Bears Rebecca Fontē, Jim Al-Khalili, Kate Crowe,
Nicola Pearcey, Leon Clarence and The BFI Network
The winners of this year’s challenges are announced at our awards ceremony
on TUE 21 MAY, 2019. The awards party is invitation only, but to win entry and
see the shortlist visit SFL.TO/48awards

31. CREDITS AND THANKS
SCI-FI-LONDON
Festival Producer Marta Calderón Quiñones
Social Media Jedi: Georgie Knight
Digital Marketing team: Siri Margrete Saxberg Brudevold
Ines Silva
Samantha Slapikaite
Manyu Yang
Web Developer: Shazad Ahmed
Staff Wrangler: Ali Hall
Festival PR: Frazer Nash Communications & PR
Hackstock Curator: James Marks
As is typical in the printed festival programme, we would like to thank
our friends and supporters for helping the festival this year. In no order, but
deserving of a special mention are:
Errors and omissions? Probably. Sorry if we made a few typos etc.
Thomas Atherton
Territory Studio for our lovely poster
Ketan Majmudar
David Lally
Alex Fitch for those excellent Q&As
The staff at Picturehouse Stratford
The staff at The Prince Charles Cinema
The challenge jurors
Ian Morrison
Suzanne Gorman
Roberto Pita Arcones
Tom Hunter
Lorraine Savy
Amanda Roberts
Tony Watts
James Peart & Liz Zitzow
Henry Scott-Irvine
Marek Stevens
Strike Media
Wez Merchant
Adelle Drover
Appear Here
MyFilmClub
Phil Edwards
Brian Bovell
Rebekah Louisa Smith
All the people who pushed their films
our way.
Our lovely sponsors and partners
And all the festival volunteers –
couldn’t do it without them.
Sure we have stupidly forgotten a
few and of course there are those
who, quite rightly, wish to remain
anonymous – we thank you all!

32. C R E A T I N G
E V O L V I N G
D I S C O V E R I N G
S F L 1 9 : 15 - 2 2 M A Y 2 0 1 9
fcml.uk
P R O U D T O S U P P O R T