TOP 3 FILMS @SCI-FI/FANTASY FEEDBACK FILM FESTIVAL

It was our first time on FERNTV to become apart of and cover the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Feedback Film Festival. The festival blew us away by the high-level of filmmaking of up-and-coming sci-fi/fantasy directors. We are knocking our heads against the wall. We are trying to figure out why we haven’t been participating in this festival earlier. But better late than never as they say. This coy online film festival has a knack for finding future gem directors of sci-fi and fantasy.

The theme of this segment of the festival is Two Worlds. The films on this list will show the dynamics of two worlds. Plus, how science fiction and fantasy both transcends and subordinates the human spirit. In any event, we can never truly run away from reality no matter how hard we try.

I Want to Be Like You

directed by Caitlyn Sponheimer/Canada/5mins.

Canadian director Director Caitlyn Sponheimer‘s short film about two young women C-786 and C-424 who decide to get surgery to perfect their imperfections. They both want to feel better about themselves. The process of transformation is shown side by side.

I Want to Be Like You has this Cronenberg vibe to it. Similar to Dead Ringer‘s where there is much to be afraid of in the medical industry. Or like John Woo’s Faceoff where is there a psychotic side to transformation

The film does beg the question of the practices of media in the cosmetics and beauty industry. Women continuously feel their worst through what the beauty standard is. It causes them to be to buy into more of their products and services. In the end, it does leave them less unique and more like the rest.

This moody film with minimal dialogue has a lot to say in its short duration. The body language and facial expressions of both actresses Brittany Drisdelle and Lorna Kidjo play a huge role in the film. Rather a cry for a help, the industry provides short terms solutions for women who are struggling with their appearance let alone their mental health.

Roam

directed by David Jung/USA/18 mins

In the not so far distant future, the Roam Corporation seems to be doing the world a whole lot of good. The highest growing non-profit organization in the world is keeping the streets safe and clean by getting rid of abandoned minors. They are sent to Roam to become high-paid employees of large corporations. Little does everyone know that they are becoming the host of the old who switches their bodies for something younger. One woman who is a victim of this practice fights back to lead an underground resistance against it.

Director David Jung direct this brilliant short sci-fi film Roam that comments on the evil practices of corporations. Much like Skynet of The Terminator series, Roam shares this dystopian view with state of the art stage production and kick-ass action. Kudos to the film for bringing a new rendition of Tears for Fears, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” showing how ahead of the time this group was. By design, Roam is the total package.

http://roamcorporation.com/

Synth

directed by Scott Wheeler/USA/11 mins

Director Scott Wheeler‘s take on the development and commercialization of artificial intelligence does not hold back. Synth is a short film that shows the sleaze of tech corporations and how their best practices at times can be twisted and unethical. The film takes a page out of Paul Verhoeven‘s Robocop which comments on the dangers of seedy scientists trying to advance at their own will at the expense of others.

Actress Lara Heller plays the assistant of her mentor Michael Monks in the film Synth. She is in a whirlwind of doing what is best for her and the advanced humanoids that she built. In an interview that she did with The Argus, she says,

“Our film explores the commercialization of AI.

We look at how humans and robots alike use self-awareness, manipulation, empathy and sexuality to communicate.

Our goal is to test an audience’s sympathies and challenge our preconceptions.”

With the help of writer Ryan C. Coleman, who wrote for The Walking Dead, you can almost see where this one is going.