VONDERFUL OKTOBER
Our first Oktoberfest is over and we can confidently say it was a success, at least judging by the reactions of those who attended to the huge goodie bags that they took away, courtesy of our wonderful sponsors at EA Games, Play, Manga and Anchor Bay who supplied us DVDs and games. And three lucky people got themselves Xbox 360 consoles and Dead Space game - not bad for a £25 ticket.
And we shouldn't forget Red Bull who helped keep everyone awake with their energy drinks and rather tasty cola. Even the people who came for the free screenings of Fringe and Clone Wars on Saturday morning got goodie bags, which isn't bad value by anyone's reckoning. But it's not just about the stuff you take away, it's more about the films and everyone was happy with our choices of movies, except for one dissenter in the anime screening (was hoping for the second Bleach movie - sorry), and those attending the MST3K who were traumatised by a certain TV special that was shown in the wee small hours. We have offered them counselling and they are doing fine.
The Oktoberfest was a bit of an experiment, but unlike most sci-fi experiments this one actually worked without causing any adverse effects (apart from victims of the aforementioned screenings). So it looks like it will be back next year - bigger and better. Thanks to all our staff, volunteers, sponsors, the Apollo and the audience!
Pictures are on our Flickr page now. http://www.flickr.com/groups/sci-fi-london - and if you were there and took some photos, please add them to the group!
NEXT FESTIVAL
Only six short months until SCI-FI-LONDON 8 and plans are already under way - and it's looking good. We will be bringing the usual high quality indie features your way, a selection of tasty shorts and of course the all-nighters. We also plan to add some 'real science' at the next festival and are playing with ideas from a large gaming area and lots more talks and workshops. Watch out for another 48hour film challenge as well... Tell us what you want to see by emailing info@sci-fi-london.com
SFL TV
Anyone who has attended the main festival will know how much we like short films. We always show one before every feature, as well as having a dedicated shorts programme. We even run our own 48 Hour Film Challenge to encourage UK sci-fi fans to make their own shorts. So if you like shorts as much as we do then check out www.sci-fi-london.tv for some of the best films from previous festivals, and all for free. We have just added a stack of new movies, with more to come so go and check them out.
Also take a look at our new merchandise store for SCI-FI-LONDON T-shirts, caps and bags on offer. Let us know if there is anything else you want to see there.
STUFF
It's not only people who attend our festivals that get stuff but also those who visit our website. There are always competitions for new release DVDs, attached to our insightful reviews, and even the occasional Xbox 360. It is always checking the site regularly to see what there is. OK, you have to answer a trivia question, but it's all good practice for our annual pub quiz. At the moment we have DVDs of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Season 4, SMALLVILLE Season 7 and STARSHIP TROOPERS box sets to give away. Why not add us to your RSS reader to find out when new competitions are posted.
FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION
Our friends at Film & Festivals magazine have introduced an online digital version of their magazine and are offering subscribers to this newsletter a free subscription of the magazine. The next edition will be out next week, so sign up for the current edition on their shiny new website to be informed of when the new mag will be available. Film & Festivals is the place where cinema lovers and filmmakers meet, and brings you the latest news and reviews of festivals around the UK and the world, along with filmmaker interviews and practical advice on making your own film and getting it seen. Go to www.filmandfestivals.com to read the current issue and sign up for your free subscription.
BATTLE OF IDEAS
One of the interesting side events at previous SCI-FI-LONDON festivals has been the Douglas Adams Memorial Debate, hosted by The Institute of Ideas. On November 1-2 the Institute is hosting its fourth annual Battle of Ideas festival at the Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7. If you like to debate more serious issues than Star Trek or Star Wars with the cream of the world's intelligentsia, including our very own Louis Savy, Visit www.battleofideas.org.uk for a full list of subjects being covered, including The Battle for Truth and The Battle for Prosperity, both particularly relevant in the current climate.
FINALLY
Film London and the BFI London Film Festival are hosting a spectacular FREE screening outdoors in Trafalgar Square on a giant inflatable screen this coming Thursday (23rd October), starting at 6.30pm, with live music by acclaimed silent music 'supremo' Neil Brand.
The movie is HIGH TREASON (1928) - a British METROPOLIS of sorts for anyone with a taste for futuristic fantasy - and a little high camp. Set in the London of the future (well, 1950...) the city's skyline now resembles New York's; cars have become cigar-shaped and showers do both wash and dry. Two great super-powers stand on the brink of war as a band of evil agitators threaten to stop at nothing. Will London's Peace League be able to save the world?
Written by maverick MP Noel Pemberton Billing, the film is an intriguing glimpse into what seemed possible in the inter-war years - and there's even a prescient vision of London's Blitz spirit. The fashions seem much of their time (though in shinier fabrics), while the moving image screens in every room look remarkably like early TVs. It's impressive to see that gender equality is now taken for granted and delightful to note that combat gear of the future includes high heels!
Take warm clothes and something to sit on - see you there!
The SFL team
PS. 29th April - 4th May 2009 - for the next festival, pop it in your diary!
