Arguably, science fiction goes back to the ancient Greeks, with stories of beings on the moon and beyond. SF literature is now a well-respected genre and many classic feature films were inspired by great literary works.

Here we present an international programme of science fiction films based on short stories by some of the world's greatest authors including Orwell, Vonnegut, Lem, Sturgeon, Bradbury and Pratt.

PEACEFORCE

(Dir: Peter Gornstein, 2011, Denmark, 19mins)

BASED ON GEORGE ORWELL’S “SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT” Copenhagen, 2045, a young idealistic officer of the PEACEFORCE meets Jasper, a local citizen of repute. Jasper claims an elephant is running amok around town, killing people in its path.

2081

(Dir: Chandler Tuttle, 2009, USA, 25mins)

BASED ON KURT VONNEGUT’S “HARRISON BERGERON” A dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th constitutional amendment and a tough government, everyone is “equal”.

MASKA

(Dir: Quay Brothers, 2010, Poland, 23mins)

BASED ON STANISLAW LEM’S STORY of THE SAME NAME The beautiful Duana was created to fulfill a certain task, but she’ll have to choose between completing it and her love.

THE OTHER CELIA

(Dir: Jon Kanutz, 2005, Canada, 21mins)

BASED ON THEODORE STURGEON’S STORY OF THE SAME NAME The film follows the Slim Walsh, as he traces the weird life of Celia Serton, his new neighbour.

A PIECE OF WOOD

(Dir: Tony Baez Milan, 2005, USA, 12mins)

BASED ON RAY BRADBURY’S STORY OF THE SAME NAME Hollis, a young and confused individual in a world that’s been at war for years, reveals to his superior, that he has invented a device that could end the war.

IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

(Dir: Shir Comay, 2011, Israel, 22mins)

BASED ON THE TIM PRATT STORY of THE SAME NAME Daniel, an avid film buff, encounters the video store of his dreams.

Presented in association with ICON TLV and supported by the Embassy of Israel.