Author Steven Donoso wrote me today about the 1963 Czechoslovakian space science-fiction film Ikarie XB-1, which I was unaware of and did not have on my space sci-fi film list. In the US the film was shortened and released as Voyage to the End of the Universe. A newly restored version is available from Second Run DVD. They describe the movie as follows:

Jindřich Polák’s pioneering and much-imitated feature Ikarie XB 1 is one of the cornerstones of contemporary sci-fi cinema. It predates Star Trek and Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and was clearly an influence on both, as well as on almost every other science-fiction work that followed.

Adapted from Stanisław Lem’s 1955 novel The Magellanic Cloud, the film is set in 2163 and follows a mission deep into space in search of alien life. During their perilous journey the crew confront the effects of a malignant dark star, the destructive legacy of the 20th century and, ultimately, the limits of their own sanity. With outstanding design and cinematography, Ikarie XB 1 is imbued with a seriousness, intelligence and attention to detail rarely seen in science-fiction cinema of the period.

Here’s a teaser:

And here is a longer clip:

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A reader responds to the earlier posting about robot assistants in space with a link to this documentary about Robby the Robot, a metallic character first seen in the marvelous 1956 movie Forbidden Planet:

http://youtu.be/4ptHtb7RPRw

The first trailer for Christopher Nolan‘s movie Interstellar has been posted: Interstellar | Teaser Trailer & Official Movie Site | November 2014

The plot synopis at IMDb says:

A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival Announces the Second Annual Award Winners 
Coveted Honors Presented To Films At NYC’s First And Only Sci-Fi Film Festival

Brooklyn, N.Y. December 10, 2013 – The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival made a triumphant return to Williamsburg for its unforgettable second annual event this past weekend. The exclusive three-day gathering screened a total of 37 feature films and shorts and welcomed the arrivals of highly acclaimed filmmakers, distinguished guests and enthusiastic fans to the prestigious IndieScreen theater. Awards were presented to several of the films which were adapted or inspired from the impressive works of Philip K. Dick. The mission of the festival’s second year was marked by tremendous crowds, all of whom were entertained by the creative and captivating stories based on the legacy of one of the most pivotal and significant fixtures of science fiction.

LIST OF HONORABLE AWARD WINNERS:

Best Dramatic Competition
Son of Man: Directed by Janek Ambros

Best Web Series/Trailer
Deadstar: Directed by Brandon Wright

Best Science Fiction Feature
Vessel: Directed by Adam Ciancio

Best Science Fiction Short
Emit: Directed by J.S. Mayank

Best Singularity, Eschaton and Beyond
Karon: Directed by Erez Avni and Itai Edry

Best Horror/Supernatural Short
Territorial: Directed by Jessica Curtright and Santiago C. Tapia; Produced by Efren Ramirez

Best Horror/Supernatural Feature
Thanatomorphose: Directed by Éric Falardeau

Best Philip K. Dick Short
The Crystal Crypt: Directed by Shahab Zargari

Best Documentary
Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of The VHS Collector: Directed by Dan M. Kinem and Levi Peretic

The Philip K. Dick Festival of Science Fiction, The Supernatural, Metaphysics and Drama delighted its attendees through its entertaining and visually captivating themes which have made the event a favorable and continued success. The event took place at Williamsburg’s IndieScreen theater at 289 Kent Avenue at S. 2 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 from Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8, 2013. For more information please visit http://www.thephilipkdickfilmfestival.com and be sure to stay informed of all ongoing announcements on the festival’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThePhilipKDickFilmFestival and Twitter page at https://twitter.com/PhilipKDickFest.

About The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival:
The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival is the first of its kind to grace the screens of New York City and is organized by filmmakers who understand the difficulties and challenges of telling a unique story in a corporate environment. The inaugural festival from December 7-9, 2012 drew record crowds of over 1,000 participants for the exclusive screening of Radio Free Albemuth which was based on Dick’s 1985 novel posthumously published three years after his death. The Lille, France event from October 25-27, 2013 screened celebrated international films and enjoyed much success in the first of many global outings. The festival continues to hold seasonal gatherings across the city and will also pioneer a Spring 2014 cyberpunk festival in Tokyo and the Blade Runner Retrospective at the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, New York. The mission of the festival is to uphold the stature of original voices and visions in works submitted and recognize the phenomenal themes of Philip K. Dick. Lastly, this is a festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.

About Philip K. Dick:
“Reality is whatever refuses to go away when I stop believing in it.” – Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was one of the 20th century’s most profound novelists and writers within the science fiction community. His exploration, analysis and beliefs led to the publishings of 44 novels and 121 short stories. Dick’s enormous library of works led to several film developments including Blade Runner (1982), Total Recall (1990), Minority Report (2002), Paycheck (2003) and most recently Radio Free Albemuth (2010), The Adjustment Bureau (2011) and the successful remake of Total Recall (2012). The film industry is also awaiting the release of King of the Elves in 2014, which will surely be yet another prosperous depiction of Dick’s literary contribution to science fiction. Dick’s enormously effective views comprised of fictional universes, virtual realities and human mutation foresaw an exaggerated version of the current state of government and contemporary life. Though he is gone in the physical form his philosophies live on in the techniques applied to modern stories and films and generate large displays of appreciation and understanding.