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Discover Schenectady – 2nd Annual SciFi Schenectady FilmFest Sept 18 – 20

Three-day festival at the GE Theatre at Proctors features 15 films, local and international filmmakers, panel presentations, talkbacks, parties and more

Experience cinema at the intersection of science, fantasy and science fiction when the 2nd Annual Sci:Fi Schenectady FilmFest returns Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, with three days of award-winning features, international and domestic short films, classic favorites, panel presentations, filmmaker appearances, parties and more.

Presented by Film Schenectady, in collaboration with Discover Schenectady, this year’s festival brings all film screening events and parties together under one roof at the GE Theatre at Proctors, 432 State St. in downtown Schenectady. The weekend will feature 15 films spanning science fiction, fantasy and supernatural horror, along with panel presentations, talkbacks and special events.

“We’re bringing film fans together in one incredible venue for a weekend packed with imaginative movies, inventive shorts, engaging guests, and fun-filled parties,” said Donna Pennell, festival director and Schenectady County film commissioner. “The GE Theatre at Proctors gives us a fantastic setting to showcase the films and make Sci:Fi Schenectady a memorable weekend for everyone who loves science fiction, fantasy and film.”

 Full weekend passes are $60 and include access to film festival screenings, panel presentations, talkbacks, parties and more. Individual film screening events are available for $15.

Tickets are available through Proctors at this link. Complete festival information, schedules, and ticket links are available at SciFiSchenectadyFilmFest.com.

“Our FilmFest is put together by film programmers, professionals, promoters and film lovers, just like you,” said Richard Lovrich, Sci:Fi Schenectady FilmFest Creative Director. “We look forward to presenting and enjoying the wild, weird and utterly fantastical world of Sci:Fi Schenectady on the giant GE Theatre at Proctors screen.”

 Weekend highlights include “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,” directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Sam Rockwell followed by an interview with the screenwriter; the beloved 1987 fantasy adventure “The Princess Bride”; “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” followed by a discussion of the blockbuster horror franchise; and Fritz Lang’s groundbreaking silent science-fiction classic “Metropolis,” presented with a live musical score by Order of the Illusive.

The festival will also put a spotlight on Capital Region filmmakers, including Ryan Jenkins and Spencer Sherry with “Las Hadas de la Sombra,” which recently premiered at Dances With Films in Hollywood; father-daughter creative team Johnnie and Dara Semerad with “Deep Space Degenerates”; and Jermaine Wells, director and actor of “Stuck 2Gether.” Several of the filmmakers will participate in screenings and talkbacks throughout the weekend, giving audiences an opportunity to hear directly from the people behind the films.

“Schenectady has such a remarkable connection to innovation, invention and filmmaking, making this festival a natural fit for our community,” said Elissa Fornasiero, interim president of Discover Schenectady. “Bringing the entire FilmFest to the GE Theatre at Proctors this year creates a terrific opportunity for film fans to spend the weekend downtown while discovering some truly imaginative films and the talented people behind them.”

 WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 –  LAUNCH PARTY

Kick off the weekend with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres outside the GE Theatre entrance before the festival’s featured opening-night screening.

“GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE”
Directed by Gore Verbinski (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Ring”), the sci-fi comedy adventure stars Sam Rockwell as a time traveler in a high-energy, absurdist and darkly comedic story blending action with social commentary on the dangers of AI technology. The screening will be followed by an interview with screenwriter and this year’s Celluloid Moon Award honoree, Matthew Robinson.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19 – “THE PRINCESS BRIDE”
Directed by the late Rob Reiner, the beloved 1987 fantasy adventure combines romance, comedy and swashbuckling action. The screening will be followed by a discussion exploring the film’s enduring legacy and genre-bending magic.

SCI-FI SHORT FILM BLOCK
A curated collection of domestic and international short films, including “Deep Space Degenerates” from father-daughter creative team Johnnie and Dara Semerad, along with additional selections from filmmakers in the U.S. and abroad.

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD FILMFEST PARTY
Festival ticket holders are invited to gather for cocktails, light fare, giveaways and an opportunity to mingle with filmmakers, industry professionals and fellow film fans.

“THE CONJURING: LAST RITES”
The screening comes as Schenectady hosts production of a new prequel in “The Conjuring” universe.
“Supernatural horror and fantasy are such close cousins. The supernatural exists beyond the accepted laws of our physical world,” said Donna Pennell, festival director and Schenectady County film commissioner. “With the prequel currently in production in Schenectady, this is the perfect time to experience and revisit the final installment.” The screening will be followed by a discussion exploring all things “Conjuring” universe.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20
FANTASY SHORT FILM BLOCK
The block includes “Stuck 2Gether” from director and actor Jermaine Wells and “Las Hadas de la Sombra” from director Ryan Jenkins and producer Spencer Sherry. “Las Hadas de la Sombra” recently premiered at Dances With Films in Hollywood.

“We couldn’t be more excited to screen ‘Las Hadas’ for all the sci-fi and fantasy lovers in our own backyard,” Sherry said. “Between juggling genres, building sets from scratch and shooting the entire project in Spanish, this film was our most ambitious undertaking yet. We’re very proud of it and consider it a testament to the versatility that living in this region affords filmmakers.”

“METROPOLIS”

“Experience Fritz Lang’s visionary sci-fi masterpiece as never before,” said Paul Kazee, FilmFest programmer. “The silent film will be accompanied by an experimental and spontaneous live score by Sci:Fi Schenectady FilmFest alumni Order of the Illusive.”

Additional info about the films, guests, panel presentations and programming are available at SciFiSchenectadyFilmFest.com.