Event to honour our sci-fi and fantasy stars
A NEW festival is set to launch in Huddersfield this weekend, dedicated to all things science fiction and fantasy.
The first annual Cosmia Festival is more than a week of events at venues around the town centre, starting on Friday October 25, and finishing on Sunday, November 3.
The festival takes inspiration from Huddersfield’s homegrown sci-fi and fantasy stars of TV and film, such as Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek and X-Men), Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), and Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones).
It has been organised by festival director Dave Smith and his small team in conjunction with organisations like the University of Huddersfield, the Lawrence Batley Theatre, the Media Centre and Kirklees Libraries.
Dave said Cosmia Festival 2019 would be the first festival of its kind in the UK.
He added: “We’re really excited to welcome people to Huddersfield to enjoy a wide variety of events.
“Sci-fi and fantasy have never been more popular and there are loads of great conventions, including Huddersfield’s own event each May.
“We want to do something different, with film, literature, art and more on offer for fans.”
Events range from a sci-fi and fantasy quiz at Arcade Coffee and Food in Byram Arcade to a stand-up comedy gig crossed with an astrophysics lecture at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.
There will also be creative workshops for families and kids, book discussions and a premiere screening of the new TV adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.
You can find a full list of events on the Cosmia website and follow Cosmia 2019’s Twitter and Facebook pages for any last-minute additions to the schedule.
The festival also wants to explore ways in which fans of sci-fi and fantasy can be more environmentally responsible.
The Movement for Responsible Fandom Launch will take place at the University of Huddersfield on Saturday, November 2, with anyone and everyone invited to discuss ways in which the industry can use less plastic and produce less waste.