Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film FestivalThe creative vision of Philip K. Dick lives on as the borough becomes the setting of a myriad of films inspired by one of the genre’s most celebrated contributors at The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival in Brooklyn from from December 7-9, 2012. From the exclusive screening of John Alan Simon’s Radio Free Albemuth and further original films that capture the essence of the scientifically unexplained to the panel discussions that tap into the some of the greatest minds of our generation, the festival is sure to captivate and bring forth an appreciation of cinema’s most outer-worldly style.

The festival marks the city’s first foray into science fiction and the most anticipated highlight is the screening of Radio Free Albemuth (2010) on Friday, December 7 at 7:30pm. Written and directed by John Alan Simon, the film adaptation of Dick’s final novel stars Jonathan Scarfe (Perception), Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire), Katheryn Winnick (Bones) and Grammy Award-winning singer Alanis Morissette. A Q&A session with Simon is also scheduled to follow. Further screenings on Saturday, December 8 include Benjamin Dickinson’s First Winter (2012), Alejandro Bruguãs’ Juan of the Dead (2011), Alex Rivera’s Sleep Dealer (2008), Carlos Molinero and Lola Salvador’s The Mist in the Palm Trees (2006) and Daniel Abella’s The Final Equation (2009), a highly conceived film which iterates that “Einstein’s dream has become Jack Smith’s nightmare.” On Sunday, December 9 a screening of Eric Hayden’s The Last Push (2012) starring Khary Payton and Lance Henriksen will be held.

The festival is also honored to host panels with several distinguished guests who have led affluent careers in the field of science, science fiction and in the approach and investigations of the phenomenons that have bestowed countless thoughts and ideas among scholars, theorists and believers for centuries. The panelists include: John Alan Simon: the director of the festival’s pinnacle screening, the award-winning film Radio Free Albemuth (2010). Simon is the president and chief executive officer of Discovery Productions and has oversaw the developments of numerous independent motion pictures including The Haunting of Julia (1977) and The Wicker Man (2006). As host of one of the most anticipated panels he will discuss the “gnostic phenomena many writers have experienced including Robert Anton Wilson, Whitley Strieber and how this translates into a new emerging paradigm.”

Dr. Ronald Mallet, Ph.D.: the author of Time Traveler: A Scientist’s Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality (2006), which focuses on “one man’s journey to make time travel a reality.” Mallet is a Physics professor at the University of Connecticut and a member of the American Physical Society and the National Society of Black Physicists.

Angela Posada-Swafford: a science, environment and exploration writer and U.S. correspondent of Muy Interesante magazine, which is the largest Spanish language publication devoted to science. Posada-Swafford is the author of Los Aventureros de la Ciencia/The Adventurers of Science, a series of novels for young adults which focus on the scientific adventures of four adolescents and designed to educate its readers.

Enrique Ricardo Miranda: a professor at the School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona with a Ph.D. from the University of Buenos Aires. Miranda served as the scientific consultant on one of the festival’s featured screenings The Mist in the Palm Trees.

Walter Mosley: a crime fiction writer best known for the best-selling books Blue Light (1998), The Wave (2005) and the Easy Rawlins mystery series which follows the investigations of a black private investigator and World War II veteran.

Dennis Paoli: a writing instructor and coordinator of the Hunter College Writing Center at Hunter College in New York. Paoli is the screenwriter of numerous films including Re-Animator (1985) and Dagon (2001), both based on the original stories of horror and science fiction author H.P. Lovecraft.

With its thought-provoking films and guest speakers, The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival is sure to enthrall the mind and embody an expression of devotion for all of its attendees. The event will take place at Williamsburg’s indieScreen theater at 285-289 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Registration is $20 for a one day pass, $15 for a one day pass ordered in advance, $55 for a three day pass and $45 for a three day pass in advance.

About The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival: The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival and the first of its kind to grace the screens of New York City is organized by filmmakers who understand the difficulties and challenges of telling a unique story in a corporate environment. The year 2012 marks the inauguration of the festival. The festival will be held in New York City in the fall for a total of three days. Guest speakers and writers that best represent the goals of the festival will attend the opening ceremonies. We look for original voices and visions in works submitted. 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. His 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.

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