BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Like an astronaut on a barren planet seeing the sun come over the horizon again, ArtsQuest's annual sci-fi film festival is returning.
Beep Boop, Beep Boop: A Sci-Fi Film Festival will be back at ArtsQuest Center's Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas for a fourth year July 25-28, with 11 films over four days.
That includes two chances to see the 10th anniversary showing of "Mad Max: Fury Road" on the closing day.
"From galaxy-spanning space operas and dystopian futures to thoughtful animations and legendary battles, Beep Boop, Beep Boop is a celebration of science fiction’s most imaginative frontiers," ArtsQuest said in a news release.
"Audiences will be transported through time and space with a thoughtfully curated lineup that ranges from blockbuster classics to rare gems."
That will include a live musical score performance before a silent film classic and a mystery screening from the Unknown Planet Mystery Screening series, according to the release.
Tickets, at $12 per film, and $10 for ages 25 and younger and seniors, are available at the box office at 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, or the Steelstacks website.
Unknown Planet Mystery screening
Beep Boop, Beep Boop also will include a 50th anniversary showing of "Terror of Mechagodzilla," the last film of the Showa era of Godzilla with director Ishiro Honda, on July 26.
The festival will open with "Spaceballs," the 1987 "Star Wars" parody from Mel Brooks starring Rick Moranis and John Candy, at 7:15 p.m. July 25.
The Unknown Planet Mystery Screening will be at 4:30 p.m. July 27.
It "delivers exactly what it promises — a surprise sci-fi film you won’t see coming. Trust us… resistance is futile," according to the SteelStacks website.
"The mission of The Unknown Planet Mystery Screening Series is to screen a wide range of bold, dynamic and underseen films from around the world.
"The Unknown Planet Mystery Screening Series aims to bring together a community of film enthusiasts keen on expanding their cinematic horizons."
It "maintains the element of surprise by revealing the film only when it starts playing on screen."
Full schedule
The full schedule for Beep Boop, Beep Boop: A Sci-Fi Film Festival is:
Friday, July 25
- 7:15 p.m. — Spaceballs
- 9:45 p.m. — Demolition Man
Saturday, July 26
- 11 a.m. — Wall-E
- 1:30 p.m. — Never Let Me Go
- 4 p.m. — Terror of Mechagodzilla (50th Anniversary)
- 6:30 p.m. — The Complete Metropolis w/ Live Accompaniment by Isobel Bess
- 9:45 p.m. — Alien
Sunday, July 27
- Noon — Invasion of the Body Snatchers
- 2 p.m. — Logan’s Run
- 4:30 p.m. — Unknown Planet Mystery Screening (Beep Boop, Beep Boop Edition)
Monday, July 28
- 4:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. — Mad Max: Fury Road (10th anniversary)
