A film about Carl Sagan, Annie Druyan and a love letter they sent to the stars
In the summer of 1977, NASA sent Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 on an epic journey into interstellar space. Each of the Voyager probes carries a golden record, a compilation of images and sounds meant to represent our planet to any distant civilisations that should encounter them. ‘The launching of this bottle into the cosmic ocean says something very hopeful about life on this planet,’ said Carl Sagan, the golden record’s co-creator. Sagan met and fell madly in love with his future wife Ann Druyan while working on the golden record. The project became their love letter to humankind and to each other.
“FIGHT FOR SPACE” is a documentary film that asks, why haven’t we gone back to the Moon, or sent humans to Mars? Weren’t we supposed to be there in the 80s? What lead to the decline of NASA’s budget and why is it stuck in low earth orbit?
Filmed over the course of 4 years, Fight for Space is the product of thousands of Kickstarter supporters who believed that the exploration of space is worth fighting for. Over 60 interviews were conducted with astronauts, politicians, educators, historians, scientists, former NASA officials, commercial space entrepreneurs, and many other experts in the space community. It is a film like no other that tackles issues no other documentary has touched, featuring newly restored 35mm and 16mm footage from the National Archives NASA collection.
The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival
Announces Fifth Anniversary Event Over 100 Film Screenings, Premieres and Events Will Be Held May 25-30, 2017 — Festival Launches New Special Guest Panel Series PKD Talks: Conversations with Luminaries, Visionaries and Mavericks —
(New York City, N.Y.) April 13, 2017 — The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival has announced the full lineup for its fifth annual event from May 25-30, 2017. This year’s anniversary program will spotlight over 100 films, exclusive premieres, discussions, virtual reality demonstrations and celebratory gatherings as the festival continues its everlasting tribute to the master of science fiction, Philip K. Dick.
For the past five years, The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival has exhibited quality independent sci-fi for audiences who crave new innovative pathways of expression. The festival supports freethinking filmmakers equipped with the knowledge of our world, brave enough to see beyond the barriers of existence and who give to an art form that unites the masses.
Daniel Abella, the founder and director of the festival, enthused about this year’s milestone event and the high-caliber official selections.
“I am very excited to present this year’s fifth annual festival in our home of New York City. The lineup includes films from throughout the world and represents talent across all backgrounds and beliefs.” Abella added, “Science fiction continues to entertain but also inform us about current and future trends and it is our mission to bring together likeminded people tied by a common purpose to remain human in a world of progressive dehumanization.”
While praising the works and prophecies of the festival’s namesake, Abella said,
“Philip K. Dick’s message is that in spite of forces marshaled against the human spirit, both political and technological, humanity can prevail if we find the will and determination to pave a better future. This festival represents his voice.”
To contend with the bullies at school, 9-year-old Caleb decides to 3D print himself. Back home there’s confusion, discord and reshuffled schedules…But maybe this is just what his family needs? With humor at its heart, CALEB is a fundamentally human story about family dynamics and the inevitability of moral dilemmas in the face of advancing technology.
** World War by Vincent Chai
A war between 2 robots fight for the fate of the world while a bomb ticks away ready to explode.
** 43,000 Feet by Campbell Hooper
When statistician John Wilkins is sucked out of a plane at 43000 feet, he calculates that he has exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds before he hits the ground.
** The Narrow World by Brent Bonacorso
THE NARROW WORLD is the story of a gigantic alien that crashes to Earth and takes up residence in Los Angeles. Contrary to expectations, when the alien is neither hostile towards the tiny humans around it, nor communicative in any way, it falls on the populace to decipher what, exactly, this visitor wants and what it means for them. One man sees more to it- a message, perhaps, that may tell us less about the alien, and more about our deepest inner selves, about the mysteries of the soul.
