SCI-FI-LONDON Preview

The Sci-Fi-London Film Festival kicks off tomorrow for eight days of exciting sci-fi film and related experiences (May 15th-22nd). The event promises a range of films, filmmaker networking sessions, VR experiences and even a dog cosplay event!

The event is showcasing a range of films, including shorts, documentaries as well as several Sci-Fi films with a horror or experimental edge, so there is bound to be something for everyone.

The festival opens with the UK premiere of Perfect, promising some outstanding and shocking scenes.

Synopsis: A film that sends us tripping into a Science fiction world like no other. 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’?

The closing film on May 22nd is the World Premiere of The Rizen: Possession, featuring a number of actors who might normally be associated with comedy (namely Sally Phillips and Adrian Edmonson) taking a more sinister turn, although not leaving their wit behind entirely. The sequel to The Rizen looks to be a suitably crowd-pleasing festival finish.

Synopsis: 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.

If watching films isn’t for you, then definitely check out Hackstock. While it is a free event, you’ll need to register in advance to receive your entry password. The organisers are promising that attendees will be “tripping out on mixed reality, holograms, mind control and more…”

The standout attraction for me has to be SCI-FIDO – a cosplay competition for dogs, hosted by the wonderful Bunny Galore in aid of charity All Dogs Matter. Owners will have their dog photographed for free by Dogstar Photo with the winning entry getting to take home a goodie bag and the professional photo of their dog. I so wish I could make it to this!

Stay tuned for Scared Sheepless reviews of:

After the Lethargy on 17th May after it shows on 16th May at 6.20pm at the Prince Charles Cinema

and

Shed of the Dead on 17th May before it premieres on 18th May at 9pm at the Stratford Picturehouse (with a Q&A)

Find out more about Sci-Fi-London at their website where you can still buy tickets to join the fun to see some new, emerging Sci-Fi and take part in some excellent extra events too.