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STEAMPUNK SHORT FILM THEATRE

A showcase of a variety of steampunk short films from around the world. All films are Not Rated. All screenings are free and open to the public.

AIRLORDS OF AIRIA

Showtime: 6 PM

Runtime: 15 minutes

Country of Origin: Germany

Language: English

Director: Dirk Müller

After a war, Airlord Karak, an admiral of the airship fleet of Airia, war hero and known daredevil, is placed into early retirement from active duty. He is reassigned to command scientific expeditions to cartograph uncharted territories. On one of these journeys he discovers an ancient tidal machine and with it plans to seize power over the republic of Airia and the whole continent. Karak and his troops occupy the naval base Wodnik 7 and Karak tries to convert his niece Luna, police commander of the base, to his cause. Luna despises his fantasies of almightiness and joins up with a band of smugglers to obstruct her uncle's plans for domination and seeks to destroy the machine.

The world of Airlords of Airia

Millennia after a global cataclysm, mankind has to survive in a barren world. The landmasses erode, and navigation on the sea has become impossible due to strong tidal forces, sea quakes and weather phenomenon. Crossing of the oceans is solely done by air routes. In this world, several imperialistic empires have a fight over the remaining undiscovered territories, and often these results in armed conflict. The most important military leaders of the republic of Airia are the admirals of the air fleet, called Airlords. After years of costly war, the three most powerful empires, Airia, Siren and Nautica cosign a peace treaty. As condition, all sides agreed to abstain from claiming new territories overseas, disarming their troops and to unseat certain Airlords.

Project

AIRLORDS OF AIRIA is planned as a full-length feature film and is currently still being developed. We have created an elaborate short film as a "mood tape" to illustrate the idea that will eventually become a feature film. Because the film takes place almost entirely in exotic fantasy locations and the costs for complex scenes and outside shooting would break the budget, all the scenes for the short film were filmed with amateur actors against green screen, while the backgrounds were created digitally on a computer. When possible, the final full length movie is planned to be shot on real locations with real scenery and with a well-known cast. To create the perfect illusion of a fantasy world, elaborate digital effects will be used.

This short film was partially financed by crowdfunding on startnext.de In order to stay informed about AIRLORDS OF AIRIA join our website and our page on Facebook.

TRIAL OF THE MASK

Showtime: 6:15 PM

Runtime: 12 minutes

Country of Origin: USA

Language: English

Director: Cory McBurnett and William David

"Trial of the Mask" is a short film-style production mixing contemporary "Steampunk" styled aesthetics with the story and myths of the "Star Wars" universe. Produced independently from the bowels of the Atlanta art underground, "Trial of the Mask" spearheads a new revisionist movement that contemplates the future of mass media while harkening back to styles and themes of the past.

The story follows "Steampunk Boba Fett", played by noted "cosplayer" and comic/gaming convention veteran John Strangeway, and his journey to exterminate the Jedi, Kala'myr (played by Rachel Marshall). In this made-up Star Wars universe, "Steampunk Darth Vader"(steampunk vet Dave Lee) hires Boba Fett for the job. During Boba Fett's travels he meets other "Steampunk" space bounty hunters and smugglers to acquire the whereabouts of this rebel Jedi. Throughout this process Boba Fett learns that his bounty is actually his ex-lover, Sarakk. In keeping with the romantic symmetry of the Star Wars story, the two characters face off with a dual brought about by the wishes of external forces. The characters, though hardened by "steampunk" visuals, showcase honest human emotions in the film's climax, regardless of the outcome of the bounty hunters' final showdown.

"Trial of the Mask" was written by Cory McBurnett, William David and John Strangeway. It was co-directed, shot and edited by Cory McBurnettt and William David. All CGI is by William David, with an original score by Cory McBurnett.

STREGA: UNBOUND

Showtime: 6:27 PM

Runtime: 12 minutes

Country of Origin: USA

Language: English

Director: Patrick Murray

It's the 1940's during WWII, and Professor Eidelberg is being forced by a secret Nazi cult to steal an ancient manuscript. But dealing with forbidden knowledge comes at a price. Made popular by the steampunk web series Dirigible Days, Salazar Strega appears in this separate, stand-alone, pulp film noir supernatural setting and story that is heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.

THE WARS OF OTHER MEN

Showtime: 6:39 PM

Runtime: 27 minutes

Country of Origin: USA

Language: English

Director: Mike Zawacki

Set in the past of an alternate timeline, "The Wars of Other Men" tells the story of a nameless Lieutenant fighting for an army on the verge of defeat. The enemy has begun to dominate the battlefield with their new chemical super weapon, known only as "the Fog." When his superiors learn the location of the facility that manufactures the Fog, the Lieutenant is ordered to lead a squad through the war torn city to capture the scientist responsible for its creation… at a terrible cost to soldier and civilian alike. With the lives of his men and the fate of the war hanging in the balance the Lieutenant must make a choice — will he be a good soldier or will he be a good man?

AURORA

Showtime: 7:06 PM

Runtime: 34 minutes

Country of Origin: Australia

Language: English

Director: Chris Kellett

After his wife is kidnapped by a group of slave traders, Emerson Marks, captain of the airship 'Aurora', must fight against all odds in order to rescue her.

Produced with a budget of $1800 over a 3 1/2 year period, 'Aurora' is the creation of a dedicated cast and crew of over 100 people based in South Australia. The film was recently named Best Action/Adventure Film at the Comic Con International Independent Film Festival 2013.

British-Themed Animated Titles

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

Read or Die OVA

Emma