The SYDNEY SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL 2024 promises not only epic journeys across vast star fields and new discoveries on distant worlds, but also vibrant and profound new examinations of the complexity of our own humanity through the prism of speculative cinema.
As Australia’s largest celebration of local and global science fiction and fantasy film culture, the fifth annual event offers a program like no other, rich in stunning artistry and truly independent storytelling visions from eleven countries among the 30 films in competition this year.
“We thought it would be appropriate in 2024 to use the lens of science fiction/fantasy cinema to focus on who we are and what we can become as a society,” says festival director Simon Foster. “The films we offer this year are unapologetically introspective; dramatic works that tackle themes such as dysfunctional family dynamics, toxic masculinity, camaraderie, dark sexuality and the bond between unique and diverse personalities. The programme brings together the anxieties of modern life, the proliferation of new technologies and the dreams we have for the future.”
Opening night has officially gone to the dogs, with a dog-themed double bill that includes the world premiere of Thomas Fairchild’s moving Australian film HEEL, the story of the loss of a man’s best friend and the time travel technology that could help them rebuild their relationship, as well as the Australasian premiere of Jason Sheedy’s award-winning British thriller The recyclers.
There’s more furry fun, with a 45th anniversary performance of Robo-Dog Family Fun, BITESDirector Don Chaffey’s popular story about a boy, his girl and their lovable “Canine Home Protection System.” This session is presented in conjunction with the festival’s charity partner, Pets of the Homeless, a Melbourne-based non-profit organization that helps pets and their owners in times of need.
The feature film list spans the globe in its depiction of dystopian future scenarios, alternative worlds and speculative scenarios. From Estonia comes ENDLESS SUMMERa thriller set in the world of cyber-dating and immersive app technologies, and the new work of visionary filmmaker Miguel Llanso; fresh from its world premiere at the prestigious Fantasia International Film Festival comes the most challenging and controversial film the festival has ever screened: the morality tale of New York-based agitator Scooter Macrae’s sex android. BLACK EYES SUSAN; and after a blockbuster run in his Scandinavian homeland, UFO SWEDEN brings all the Amblin energy of the 80s to the very Spielberg-esque story of a teenager searching for her father, who has been abducted by aliens.
From US indie maverick Pete Ohs (Jethika2022) is coming LOVE AND WORKa bittersweet, monochrome charmer in an alternate reality where work is forbidden and only true rebels want a 9-to-5 job; Italian visionary Fabio D’Orta reveals a secret society in the service of alien predators in this breathtakingly beautiful nightmare, THE COMPLEX FORMS; and from the Canadian sector, Alexander Lasheras’ wilderness pod-people drama The beehive and Ryan Ward’s supernatural father-daughter road trip saga DAUGHTER OF THE SUN.
And as a major coup for the festival, the closing film will show the world premiere of the underground thriller in a single shot. RUNNINGthe new film by Australian director Luke Sparke (Profession2018; Occupation Precipitation2020; Bring him to me2023) and starring one of Australia’s hottest young talents, actress Emalia (Paramount+’s Paper dolls Series).
One of the most popular sessions of recent years returns, with the EXHIBITION OF AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILMS with eight of the best science fiction shorts from local filmmakers. Among the 19 short films premiering at the festival are stunning new shorts from China (the dazzling deep-space animation LIMIT); Austria (the philosophical documentary THE THOUGHTS OF THE MECHATRONIC MISTRESS); Spain (the life-and-death drama on the planet’s surface, CHRYSANTHEMUM); and the USA (hilarious animation, Coleslaw crisis).
The SYDNEY SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL 2024 starts from 20 to 22 September at EVENT Cinemas George Street.
Detailed information on the 2024 program can be found at:
https://www.sydneysciencefictionfilmfestival.com.au/
