Returning for an eight exciting year, Other Worlds, one of the premier SciFi Film Festivals in the US, features some of the best and unheralded genre films. Beginning on Thursday December 2 at Austin’s Galaxy Highland 10, the four day event includes over 25 feature films, a slew of shorts, a screenwriting workshop, and the Mary Shelley Award. This year also features an additional five days of virtual events.

After skipping last years virtual only event, I gladly return to the festival for another go around

Here’s what to expect at Other Worlds 2021

Sunday, December 5

10AM

2001: A Brunch Odyssey

Before the final day of films, discuss your favorites of the festival so far with other attendees and filmmakers. For the first time, this party is open to all attendees.

12PM

Other Worlds Shorts II

Includes:

• Echo Pines

Stephanie Begg | Australia | 12 min

Newly-minted Detective Barnes takes the lead on a missing child case, only to encounter a one-two punch of unexplainable phenomena in a nearby forest and no support from her fellow officers.

• Florence

Florian Thess | UK | 13 min

She’s the first of her kind: an AI therapist for human patients. But as she learns more about the human condition, Florence isn’t sure that she knows the answers an isn’t sure that she knows the answers any more than those she seeks to help.

• Giselle

Emmanuel Shiu | US | 2 min

A micro-meditation on loss, grief, and new beginnings.

• Killing Time

P. Patrick Hogan | US | 15 min

A mysterious figure slips inside an isolated home and forces an independent research engineer to confront her past.

• The Name of the Prime Minister

Bizzy Thompson | UK | 10 min

In this political thriller, a psychiatrist interviews a man convinced Tony Blair is still the Prime Minister, while trying to get answers from agents in a secret government facility.

• Pew! Pew! Pew!

Loren Dunn | US | 13 min

At a cosplay convention, Miles has got some explaining to do with his friends. And what’s worse, his archenemy has just forced him into “battle,” putting those same friends in mortal danger!

• Smudged

Jack Muldoon | US | 10 min

DMV, the near future: Adam finds himself on a Dantean odyssey through the bureaucratic hell of license-renewal.

• Transfer

Sage Mears, Aaron Pagniano | US | 11 min

Max is rightfully nervous for this interview, and Bridget is not going to make it any easier for him.

• Voices

Jake Hart | US | 7 min

A telepathic intelligence operative is confronted by her handler for connecting with the minds of unsanctioned targets.

Homebody: The Haunt Of Guy Withers

Stars: Jordan O’Neal, Ryan Sterling Smith, Gary Teague

When Guy retreats into the apartment he runs as a shared short-term rental, he finds himself at the mercy of a world that doesn’t even notice he is gone, and haunted by the prospect of what lies past his door.

2:30PM

Take Back the Night

Writers: Emma Fitzpatrick, Gia Elliot

Stars: Emma Fitzpatrick, Angela Gulner, Jennifer Lafleur

Finding herself the victim of a violent monster attack, Jane launches a vigilante campaign to hunt the beast that tried to kill her. However, as her troubling history of drug use and mental illness bubbles to the surface, the authorities, her family — even Jane herself — begin to question the authenticity of her account.

The Alternate

Stars: Ed Gonzalez Moreno, Natalia Dominguez, Alexander Marais

Struggling filmmaker Jake investigates a glitch in his footage, only to find a portal to a parallel dimension, one in which he has the fame, fortune and family he has always wanted.

5PM

Flight of the Navigator
DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE SCREENING

Writers: Mark H. Baker, Michael Burton, Phil Joanou

Stars: Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens(voice), Cliff De Young

Knocked out in the forest near his home, twelve-year-old David awakens to find his family has moved and eight years have passed. Perplexed that he hasn’t aged, David’s family brings him for testing, only to catch the attention of NASA, who have their own seemingly unrelated mystery to deal with, a floating driverless space pod.

Boy #5

Stars: Tosca Bell, Laura Montgomery Bennett, Brian Dunne

A social worker whose last charge committed suicide takes a withdrawn homeless boy into her care, not suspecting that he is a vampire.

Wicked Games

Encore presentation. Originally screened on Saturday, December 4

7:30PM

Residents of Arcadia
CLOSING NIGHT FILM

Stars: Nick Preston, Ishaval Gill, Michael Stephen Perry

Two social media influencers and entrepreneurs have their perfect lives disrupted when a man breaks into their backyard. As a mysterious countdown appears on screens and mirrors throughout their home, the ideal couple struggles to maintain their ideal life.

Ultrasound

Encore presentation. Originally screened on Saturday, December 4

9:30PM

The Other Worlds Holiday Special
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

Celebrate the end of the festival and onslaught of the holidays with cake and cookies, and watch beloved holiday genre flicks along with some OW and UW themed specialty drinks.