History
Other Worlds debuted in 2014,
Founded by Bears Rebecca Fonte (former Director of Programming for Austin Film Festival 2012-14)
After finding more great SciFi than could be screened and anxious to create a festival that would truly focus on the films, Bears left Austin Film Festival. One of the first things she did was figure out how to take this idea to the next level, and put together a great team. The inaugural Other Worlds took place December 4-6 at the Galaxy Highland just off I-35 in Austin, TX and showcased a World Premiere feature, three US Premieres and a full slate of Texas Premieres.
8 March 2021
The Label Collective does the first ever overhaul on the website since 2014 as Other Worlds plans its first ever hybrid festival, with a weeklong 'Cyber' Edition to follow the physical festival at the Galaxy.
1-6 December 2020
With an apocalyptic pandemic shaping our every moment, Other Worlds presents a virtual festival, with more events and screenings than ever before. Highlights include a closing keynote from Star Trek Lower Decks Voice Actress Noël Wells, a theremin performance from Carolina Eyck, a podcast series and live reading of the original Dan O'Bannon draft of Total Recall.
5-8 December 2019
Other Worlds Film Festival celebrates year six by returning to the Galaxy Highland, after the theater undergoes an extensive upgrade (and adds alcohol). The festival renames its Audience Award after Dan O'Bannon and brings in Lauren Kitching to design the poster.
Our Defender of the Universe Nicholas Meyer shares a 40th Anniversary screening of Time After Time, talks Khan, Whales and ST6 (which we also show) and signs copies of his new Sherlock Holmes book.
22 May 2019
Founder Bears Rebecca Fonte watches the world premiere of the 48-hour SciFi Shorts Competition at our sister festival, Sci-Fi London, then hops on a plane and debuts them stateside in Austin the next day.
With the help of longtime sponsor The Label Collective, Other Worlds Austin rebrand as Other Worlds Film Festival with new logos and laurels for year six.
6-9 December 2018
Poster Designer David Poe finishes his five year poster cycle as Other Worlds Austin features the 30th Anniversary of Alien Nation amongst its 20 features (including 3 World Premieres). Defender of the Universe awardee Alan J. Levi presents the 40th Anniversary of the original Battlestar Galactica as well as a secret screening of a show too soon cancelled, Voyagers!
7-10 December 2017
The 4th Annual OWA returns to Flix with Event Horizon with writer Philip Eisner, Defender of the Universe awardee director Gary Nelson presenting The Black Hole and six North American premieres, including Skyline sequel Beyond Skyline.
After debuting in year two, long-time mascot Parsec the Space Kitten enjoys an animated redesign courtesy of Katelyn Beury.
1-4 December 2016
3rd Annual OWA features 17 features and 3 programs of shorts, including, for the first ever Defender of the Universe Screening - Battle Beyond the Stars with Awardee Sybil Danning. Festival also debuts the Under Worlds side bar, which focuses on horror. Finally, the film moves to Flix Brewhouse in Round Rock.
Features included three North American Premieres and the World Premiere of Domain, starring Beth Grant. OWA also begins its long association with The Dan O'Bannon Company and showcase a retrospective of Dark Star with Brian Narelle in attendance.
1 January 2016
1st Annual OWA SciFi Screenwriting Contest Winners Announced, Alpha Son (Short), Drones and Drivers (Feature), and Jen-16 (Teleplay and Grand Prize)
3-5 December 2015 Festival
2nd Annual OWA features 13 features and 3 programs of shorts
Features included two US Premieres and an Austin-based film, Jackrabbit. Opening Night Film was Boy 7, Centerpiece Film was No Men Beyond This Point, Closing Night Film was Embers.
2 November 2015
OWA Announces the Mary Shelley Award, awarded to the artist (writer, director, or actress) whose film best furthers the involvement and representation of women in the SciFi genre.
16 April 2015
OWA Orbiter year round screening series begins. 2015 films include Texas premieres of Call Girl of Cthulhu, The Quiet Hour, The Midnight Swim, Listening, Nightmare Code, and Uncanny.
26 February 2015
OWA announces its first annual SciFi Screenwriting Contest sponsored by No Bullscript Consulting
4-6 December 2014 Festival
1st Annual OWA features ten features, 3 programs of shorts.
Features include a World Premiere, 3 US Premieres, the rest Texas Premieres. Opening Night Film was The Well (now The Last Survivors), Centerpiece Film was Time Lapse, Closing Night Film was The Reconstruction of William Zero. World Premiering was APT 3D.
4 September 2014
OWA screens North American Premiere - Dead Within