BALTIMORE – The Outer Rim Science Fiction Film Festival, Baltimore’s emerging hub for independent science fiction cinema, successfully completed its Season 2 showcase, featuring films from around the world, filmmaker Q&As, science-and-storytelling panels, and immersive community experiences that have rapidly positioned the festival as one of the most accessible and innovative Sci-Fi showcases in North America.
The festival drew attendees from New York, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Alexandria (VA), Florida, Montreal, and even Accra, Ghana, with some filmmakers taking overnight trains to attend in person.
“We are a place where creativity, science, and global community intersect. Filmmakers don’t just screen their films, they meet their audience.”
Troy Bernier, Festival Director
AWARD WINNERS
Best Sci-Fi Feature — Space Detective
Best Sci-Fi Short Film — Escape Attempt
Best Screenplay — The Batu Project
Best Sci-Fi Romance (Feature) — ReEntry
Best Sci-Fi Romance (Short) — The Theory of Infinity
Best Documentary Feature — Small Town Universe
Best Documentary Short — The Monster Man
Best Sci-Fi Documentary — The Eagle Obsession
Best Director — Brendan Choisnet (ReEntry)
Best Musical Soundtrack (Feature) — Space Detective
Best Makeup/Costume — Pale Blue Dot: A Tale of Two Stargazers
Best Cinematography (Feature) — The Batu Project
Best Comedy Sci-Fi Short — I-Listen
Best Actor in a Sci-Fi Feature — Agbeko “Bex” Mortty (The Batu Project)
Best Actress in a Sci-Fi Feature — Noma Dumezweni (ReEntry)
Best Actor in a Short — Andrew Wind (Lab Rats)
Best Actress in a Short — Nicole Merat (Lab Rats)
Audience Award (Feature) — ReEntry
Event Awards of Appreciation:
Rol, Cathleen Dean, Samuel Rosseau, Erika R. Nesvold, Estefano Riojas, and Ava Hamilton
HIGHLIGHTS
- Comedy Shorts dominated the room — Lab Rats, I-Listen, and the trailer for Comrades generated nonstop laughter.
- Escape Attempt stunned the audience with its visual effects and set design — viewers specifically waited to see it.
- International premieres — The Batu Project:The First Adam cast and crew traveled from Ghana.
- Sci-Fi Romance films delivered emotional storytelling: The Theory of Infinity and ReEntry claimed that mark.
- Space Detective earned Best Sci-Fi Feature with its retro animated crime-drama originality.
SCIENCE + STORY PANELS
Topics included:
- How real geology shows up in science fiction
- Behind-the-scenes VFX filmmaking discussion by Samuel Rosseau, (Andor, Blade Runner 2049)
- What in the world is “31/Atlas” doing?
Attendees included real scientists and researchers, creating a Comic-Con-meets-NASA atmosphere.
ABOUT THE OUTER RIM
The Outer Rim Sci-Fi Film Festival is a mission-driven, indie festival that connects filmmakers, scientists, and audiences through visionary storytelling. Founded by filmmaker and geoscientist Troy Bernier, the festival amplifies global, diverse speculative cinema.
Website: https://theouterrimfest.com
FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/TheOuterRim
Media Contact
Troy Bernier
thx2177@gmail.com
