Editor

For its fifth year, Other Worlds will have more great SciFi features and shorts from around the globe, more filmmakers and special guests, and some big retro films, including 2018 Launch Film: the 30th anniversary screening of ALIEN NATION, starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin.

“There couldn’t be a timelier opportunity to screen ALIEN NATION,” says Bears Rebecca Fonté, OWA Founder and Artistic Director, “a film that looks at how Americans treat otherness when it shows up on our doorstep. Science Fiction can force us to face ourselves in the mirror, even if the view isn’t pretty.”

Other Worlds previously announced another timely retro screening: the dystopian BORN IN FLAMES (35th anniversary), as well as the theatrical pilot of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (40th anniversary) with 2018 Defender of the Universe recipient, Alan J. Levi. Alan will also host a second screening, a secret pick from one of his favorite directorial efforts and have a conversation about his illustrious career.THE DEAD CENTER is the 2018 Under Worlds Austin Centerpiece Film, making its Texas premiere fresh off of its debut at LA Film Festival this fall. “Writer/director Billy Senese delivers a suspenseful, eerily vague, and terrifyingly original twist on the psychological horror trope,” says Jordan Brown, OWA programmer and Associate Artistic Director. "Come for producer/Texas son/indie SciFi mainstay Shane Carruth as leading man, stay for a standout supporting performance from Jeremy Childs and a truly chilling third act that you just HAVE to see.” 

Also announced are SciFi thriller 2050 (US premiere), SciFi drama DIMINUENDO (Texas premiere), and a special 35thanniversary screening of the dystopian BORN IN FLAMES, with writer/director Lizzie Borden in attendance. Says Artistic Director Bears Rebecca Fonté, "This rarely seen, indispensable, radical, and strangely timely film is a manifesto on racism, sexism, and heteronormative culture in an alternative United States socialist democracy. The film appeared two years into the Reagan administration- sadly, the rights of women today don’t seem all that more advanced.”

The fifth and final film announced this week is horror SOUL TO KEEP (Texas premiere). “This latest Under Worlds Austin entry showcases another group traditionally underserved by genre filmmaking,” explains Fonté,“with deaf actress Sandra Mae Frank in the lead role of the horror film. Throughout the film, Tara and her friends use American Sign Language seamlessly with dialogue in a way never before seen in a traditional genre film. We are excited to work with the local deaf community to organize a special screening of this groundbreaking work.”

Lots to get excited for at this year’s festival - we can’t wait to share the rest of the lineup with you in a few weeks! Badges are on sale now, and selling fast. 

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