The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival has announced the award winners for its fifth annual event. The gathering saluted the legacy of novelist Philip K. Dick with a slate of independent science fiction films, nine of which were honored for their cinematic excellence. The festival was held in Lille, France from October 25-26 and in Cologne, Germany from November 1-2.
BEST PHILIP K. DICK SHORT
It’s a Clear Day (2017)
Director: María Vázquez
Run Time/Country: 14 min, Spain
Synopsis: A woman is planning on giving a lecture on the famous science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. Everything seems like her everyday routine, except for a little excitement because of the event. But as time passes she will discover nothing is what it seems.
BEST SCIENCE FICTION SHORT
Metta Via (2017)
Director: Warren Flanagan
Run Time/Country: 10 min, Canada
Synopsis: Set in the future, a young woman wakes up in a mysterious temple-like room and must figure out her purpose.
BEST HORROR SHORT
The Ash: Safe Haven (2017)
Director: Marty Stalker
Run Time/Country: 17 min, UK
Synopsis: A deadly volcanic ash cloud. A 12-year-old boy besieged by the bloodthirsty infected. When the ash falls, terror rises.
BEST HORROR FEATURETTE
Sound From the Deep (2017)
Director: Antti Laakso, Joonas Allonen
Run Time/Country: 29 min, Finland
Synopsis: An international research group is searching natural resources from the Arctic Ocean. They pick up a strange underwater sound from far north, and start to follow it to the uncharted waters. Inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Nazi VR (2017)
Director: David Freid
Run Time/Country: 17 min, Germany
Synopsis: The High Tech Prosecution of a WWII Nazi Guard with virtual reality.
BEST VIRTUAL REALITY
Eclipse (2018)
Director: Aymeric Favre
Run Time/Country: 40 min, France
Synopsis: An immersive “hyper-reality” experience and a glimpse into tomorrow’s cinema. Contrary to most VR experiences dedicated to entertainment, this exhibition is a four-player interactive science fiction short film enhanced by physical effects, full body awareness and a total freedom of movements.
BEST TRAILER, TEASER OR NEW MEDIA
APEX (2018)
Director: Stuart T. Birchall
Run Time/Country: 4 min, UK
Synopsis: Emergence of a hybrid human-alien consciousness from the void.
FRIDAY AUDIENCE AWARD
December 17 (2016)
Director: Yuji Hariu
Run Time/Country: 15 min, Japan
Synopsis: In the near future, a family comes face to face with a dangerous secret about their sons.
SATURDAY AUDIENCE AWARD
Tous les jours (2017)
Director: Philippe Orreindy
Run Time/Country: 14 min, France
Synopsis: A company director is under the perverse psychological influence of her superior. But is it real or is it an hallucination caused by her anguish?
About The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival:
The Philip K. Dick European Science Fiction Film Festival launched in October 2013 and has screened events in Lille, France, Cologne, Germany and Łódź, Poland. Organized by individuals and filmmakers who understand both the challenges and rewards of telling a unique story in an independent environment, the festival represents the deep analyses and philosophical views of internationally renowned novelist Philip K. Dick, whose work has inspired generations of writers, filmmakers and fans around the world.
