FILM DIRECTOR
Kelsey is an award-winning director who has worked as a writer, VFX producer, stunt performer, and actress, making her a versatile director who feels at home on both indie and studio sets. Her work has been called “sensual and savage”, “gorgeously imagined”, and “intriguing and visceral”.
Kelsey's debut feature, GLASSHOUSE, premiered at Fantasia and Fantastic Fest and won five SAFTAs and was featured in the New York Times column, “Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now.” Her second feature, THE FIX, was the closing-night film at SCI-FI-LONDON.
Kelsey’s other credits include Warrior, Raised by Wolves, Mad Max: Fury Road, and District 9.
ASTROPHYSICIST
Dr Alfredo Carpineti is a distinguished astrophysicist, science communicator, and advocate, holding a PhD in astrophysics. As the Space and Physics Editor for IFLScience, he translates complex cosmic phenomena into engaging narratives for a global audience. He is also the author of the acclaimed astronomy book Invisible Rainbows, which explores the universe beyond human vision.Beyond his research, Alfredo is a prominent activist for inclusion as the co-chair and founder of Pride in STEM, an award-winning charitable trust. An avid science-fiction enthusiast, he combines his professional expertise with a lifelong passion for speculative storytelling and queer visibility in science.
ACTOR & STEM ACTIVIST
Inspired by a childhood love for Doctor Who, David Hewlett transitioned from aspiring scientist to a celebrated actor known for playing brilliant, eccentric characters. Most famous for his role as Dr. Rodney McKay in Stargate Atlantis, Hewlett has collaborated extensively with directors like Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and Vincenzo Natali (CUBE).
His diverse filmography includes Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the upcoming The Boys prequel, Vought Rising. Beyond acting, he is a STEAM advocate, hosting "I’m With (Stargate) Genius" chats to explore cutting-edge science with experts from organizations like the European Space Agency.
SHORT FILM EXPERT & LSFF PROGRAMMER
Philip is the Artistic Director and co-founder of the London Short Film Festival (LSFF), which began in 2004. He spent 15 years as the short film programmer for the BFI London Film Festival and is now at the Dinard British & Irish Film Festival in France. He has also programmed events such as the East End Film Festival, the Branchage Festival in Jersey, Latitude, and for Curzon Cinemas.
He has been a jury member at many film festivals, such as Go Short in the Netherlands, Grimstad in Norway, Shortwaves in Poland, and several in the UK, including Sheffield DocFest, Encounters, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.
VFX EXPERT & PUPPETEER
Claire Roi Harvey is a puppeteer and puppetry director whose career in Creature Effects and puppetry spans some of the most ambitious science fiction and fantasy productions in recent contemporary film and television history.
Her credits include major sci-fi and fantasy projects within the Star Wars franchise, Jurassic World, Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and the upcoming science-fiction feature Project Hail Mary due for release March 2026.
SR. MANAGER, VIDEO STRATEGIC DEV, ADOBE UK
Byron has spent more than two decades shaping the tools that shape cinema. He has helped develop video editing and colour grading software at Apple, Blackmagic Design, and currently at Adobe.
Byron has collaborated on films with directors including Anthony Minghella, Tim Burton, Ridley Scott and Mike Figgis, and companies such as Warp Films, He has also worked as a Creative Technologist with musician and director Chris Cunningham on music video projects.
WARM WELCOME by Team: Death by Cat Bag
THE SET UP. by Team: Biaol
SOLID STATE by Team: Gifme5
THE PERFECT by Team: Brokenbrow
LITTLE BURST OF ENERGY by Team: Hill Fox Collective
SPORE by Team: Northern Ridge
THE TRAUMA by Team: A Space Odyssey
LIFE INC. by Team: Scarlett Light Media
HEAR MY VOICE by Team: Collective Frame
CHERRY ON TOP by Team: Lost Robot
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER
DIRECTOR, DESIGNER
AUTHOR
PRODUCER
ACTOR
LUNAR EXPERT
PARALLEL BY TEAM PINGUS
RAPIER’S FOLLY BY TEAM COBRA WOLF
A SMALL DETOUR BY TEAM BIG TENT
UNREASON BY CHRIS READING, MADE FOR THE SFL 48HR FILM CHALLENGE
Released on 28 March 2025 Time Travel Is Dangerous is a wildly entertaining sci-fi comedy with sharp humour, clever twists, and a fantastic cast. Directed by Chris Reading, the film is based on his original short, which was created for the SCI-FI-LONDON 48-Hour Film Challenge, our film competition that is known for producing innovative and imaginative short films in a weekend!
Time Travel Is Dangerous is coming to UK cinemas from 28th March
Back in 2019, when we could meet and party, the 48hr awards were held at Stratford Picturehouse – check out this video chat with the 2019 winners.
There is no better thing you can do than take part in a 48hr challenge, ‘cos the worst that can happen is you’ll have made a film by Monday!
At 11am (UK time) on challenge day 1, we will give you the TITLE of the film you will make, a PROP list, a line of DIALOGUE and an optional IDEA/THEME. You then have until Monday to WRITE, SHOOT and DELIVER your complete 5-minute film.