MARS-II is a science fiction short produced by The Northern Film School about four scientists taking part in a simulation of the journey to Mars. It had its world premiere at the 38th Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, the oldest of its kind in North America. Official Selections in UK, India, South Africa and in USA as award nominees at the Snake Alley Festival of Film and Tri-Cities International Fantastic Film Festival (Richland, Pasco and Detroit). It was award nominated at The National Irish Science Fiction Film Awards and was the opening film of Toronto's Monsters & Martians Science Fiction Film Festival. Official Facebook.

2013   WORLD PREMIERE   OFFICIAL SELECTION
38th BOSTON SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL (Boston, USA)

2014    AWARD NOMINEE & OFFICIAL SELECTION (VIA INIVITATION)
TRI-CITIES INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL (Richland, USA)

2014   OFFICIAL SELECTION (VIA INVITATION)
DETCON1 FILM FESTIVAL at the The 2014 North American Science Fiction Convention (Detroit, USA)

2014   OFFICIAL SELECTION (VIA INVITATION)
RADCON - SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY CONVENTION (Pasco, USA) February 2014

2013   OPENING FILM & OFFICIAL SELECTION
MONSTERS & MARTIANS SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL (Toronto, Canada)

2013   AWARD NOMINEE & OFFICIAL SELECTION
THE NATIONAL IRISH SCIENCE FICTION FILM AWARDS (Dublin, Ireland)

2013   OFFICIAL SELECTION
HUSH HUSH FILM NIGHT (Leeds, UK)

2013   OFFICIAL SELECTION
CELLUDROID FILM FESTIVAL (Cape Town, South Africa)

2013   OFFICIAL SELECTION
A SHORT EVENING WITH FILMS (Hyderabad, India)

2013   AWARD NOMINEE & OFFICIAL SELECTION
SNAKE ALLEY FESTIVAL OF FILM (Burlington, USA)

2013   OFFICIAL SELECTION
OBLONG CINEMA (Leeds, UK)

2013   OFFICIAL SELECTION
EAT MY SHORT SHORTS III (High Wycombe, UK)

2012   PREVIEW SCREENING [UNFINISHED VERSION]
HYDE PARK PICTUREHOUSE (Leeds, UK)

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Synopsis

Science fiction short film about four scientists taking part in a simulation of the journey to Mars. Following MARS-I, the first manned voyage to Mars that mysteriously disappeared, the scientists of earth-based simulation MARS-II hope to discover the reason for the initial mission's disappearance. When complications occur, it becomes apparent all may not be what it seems within the simulator. The crew are forced into making choices from conflicting facts and beliefs; choices that could mean life or death, Earth or Mars.

Context

Made as my final major project on the Filmmakers' MA of The Northern Film School - it was shot over a period of 6 days at Studio 81 (Leeds) and needed the creation of one of the largest sets in the film school's history. It is based on the real experiment "MARS 500" that took place recently in Russia. The film was given its World and North American Premiere at the 38th Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, the longest running genre festival in USA. The film was also a part of the Official Selection at the Snake Alley Festival of Film, where it was nominated for "Best Science Fiction".

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Stills

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Details

Science Fiction Short Film

RELEASED
2013

IMAGE
Colour / PAL

DURATION
13 mins. 09 secs.

LANGUAGE
English

SUBTITLES
None

ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO
2.35

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Main  Credits

JACOB
Scott Hinds

SARA
Jennifer Rhonwen

ADAM
Tom Kelly

LAUREN
Anita Gollschewsky


PRODUCER
David Danisovszky

DIRECTOR
Paul Vernon

WRITER
Ina Fischlin

PRODUCTION DESIGNER
David Cottam

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Yana Rits

EDITOR
Ian Spilsbury

FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Maeva Poinsignon

CASTING DIRECTOR
Caley Powell

SOUND
Jason Lightfoot

DOCUMENTARY SEGMENT
Paul Vernon

SPECIAL THANKS
Spice Quarter (Leeds)

Filmed at Studio 81 (Leeds)
a Northern Film School production

A VIDEO LINK FOR THIS FILM IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AS IT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION AND BEING SCREENED AT FESTIVALS