Upcoming Science Fiction Festival for All Ages
Scifest Yorkshire- 24th- 29th October 2016. Various times and Venues. Pre-view Film Screening 9th October.
Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:13:00 BST
Now in its second year, Scifest Yorkshire is a local science-fiction festival with an exciting programme of events for all ages. Running across October half term, Scifest Yorkshire is a collaboration between the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Libraries and Museums, and the Huddersfield Literature Festival. Events include talks and lectures, creative writing workshops, film screenings and even the opportunity to create your own sci-fi inspired film music!
Headlining the Festival this year are Scotland’s leading science-fiction writer, Ken MacLeod, and Joanne Harris, internationally-acclaimed local author. Described as "one of the British sci-fi authors you absolutely have to read", Ken MacLeod is the author of novels, short stories and poetry, including the new Corporation Wars trilogy. No-one is better placed than this Arthur C Clarke-nominated writer to talk about ‘How to be a Science Fiction Writer’ and ‘The Science in Science Fiction’. Joanne Harris is perhaps best known for novels such as the phenomenally successful and engaging Chocolat. But Joanne is a versatile writer who moves seemingly effortlessly between genres, from crime to mythology. Joanne will share her genre-crossing expertise with the Festival as she talks about what draws her to mythology, the fantastic and the gothic - and to writing on Twitter.
During the Festival, a series of exciting events will take place at Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield, including Dr Will Tattersdill’s entertaining talk on Victorian sci-fi, the Radiophonic Workshop (where you can create spooky sound effects) and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, a unique horror experience just in time for Halloween. Other events for younger audiences include Tim Ralphs’ engaging stories of visitors from other worlds at the Tolson Museum, and young adult author Alison Lock’s creative writing workshops at Batley Library.
Scifest is also running two competitions alongside its other events. Writers aged 11-18 are invited to write a postcard from another world for a chance to win one of three £50 book vouchers. For those who prefer drawing to writing, the ‘future worlds’ artwork competition is open to children up to the age of 16. Many of Scifest Yorkshire’s events are free, but pre-booking is required for most events. Find out more information on the website.
