Image courtesy of Sci-Fi London

Do you know your aliens from your cyborgs? Your starships from your mother ships? If so, you’re in luck. It’s the third day of London’s biggest sci-fi international film festival where there are more indie science fiction films than you can shake a lightsaber at.

There has already been a costumed zombie parade to kick off the proceedings on Sunday and a world premier of comedy sci-fi drama Death by screenwriter and director Martin Gooch last night.

Now in its 11^th year, the festival has gained a reputation as being the go-to event for mid-low budget science fiction and fantasy films. With such a huge following it’s hard to believe this was the first festival of its kind.

Festival director Louis Savy said he started the festival quite simply, “because there wasn’t one”.

“The festival started primarily because there wasn’t anywhere for low-budget, interesting or foreign science fiction films. Its purpose was to show films that you’re not likely to see in the UK at all, or that are going to be difficult to get hold of,” he said.

Not just designed for feature-length screenings, the festival also hosts expert-led talks, the results of a 48 hour filmmaking challenge, all nighter film marathons and a series of shorts film screenings.

Two events that have caught The Scrawlers’ watchful eye are Saturday’s expert-led talks on how to fund and make genre films on a small budget.

‘To the Cinema and Beyond’ is an event designed specifically for 15-25 year olds who want advice on how to make “shoestring” budget short sci-fi films.  There will be a Q&A session plus examples from other young filmmakers and tickets are £3 or two for £5.

Meanwhile, ‘BAFTA presents: Genre filmmaking in Britain’, provides an opportunity to hear from writers, directors, designers, producers and distributors on juggling the business and creative sides to sci-fi filmmaking.

Oscar-winning film production company founder Mia Bays and screenwriter/director Neil Marshall are two such experts who will be in attendance and there will also be roundtable discussions on crowdfunding, social media and targeting your audience.

For those looking for a sci-fi fix tonight, the Apollo Piccadilly Circus is hosting the UK premier of Radio Free Albemuth, the film adaptation of acclaimed science fiction novelist Philip K Dick’s book by the same name.

The Scrawlers will be attending the film viewing of “the best adaptation of PKD’s work to screen so far”, according to the festival makers.

Tickets are nearly sold out but if you don’t manage to get hold of some we will be live tweeting from the Q&A session with director and screenwriter John Alan Simon after.

Follow @TheScrawlers tonight from 9pm on #sfl11 to hear Simon speak about adapting the novel for the screen.

For a full programme of films and events happening from now until 7 May and to book tickets, visit Sci-Fi London Film Festival’s website.

- Nicola Merrifield