Ever wondered whether someone was watching over you? Gently pulling the strings to… maybe… keep your life on track? Then perhaps you have one of The Bystanders keeping a close eye on you from their alternate dimension.
The Bystanders, from debut feature director Gabriel Foster Prior, is an off-the-wall sci-fi comedy set in a parallel dimension – a world in which invisible immortals watch over their subjects and intervene in their lives, often not for the better. Filled with mysterious moments it mixes surrealism with retro sci-fi and classic silent comedy set-pieces to create a wry satire on modern city life.
Watch the film’s theatrical trailer in the player below:
World Premiering on opening night of the Austin Film Festival in 2022, where it was made a Staff Pick, the film has been screening at festivals across the globe including Boston Sci Fi Film Festival, Fantaspoa in Brazil, FANT Bilbao in Spain, Macabro in Mexico and the Berlin Independent Film Festival where it won Best Sci Fi/Horror Feature.
Premiering in the UK in June as the Closing Night film at the Sci-Fi London film festival The Bystanders won the Audience Award for Best Feature with extra screenings scheduled due to popular demand. Further accolades have been bestowed on the film with Seann Walsh, his first lead role in a feature film, taking the Best Actor award at the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival in August.
Comedian Seann Walsh stars, co-starring are Scott Haran (Wizards vs. Aliens), Andi Jashy (Gangs of London, Big Boys) and Georgia Mabel Clarke in her screen debut. The cast also includes Nick Helm, Lucy Pinder, David Schaal, Lauren Douglin, Frank Harper and Marek Larwood.
You can grab tickets for special preview screenings of the film across the UK now:
Everyman Manchester St. Johns, Manchester
Tuesday 17th October 6:15pm – TICKETS HERE
Q&A with director Gabriel Foster Prior and producer Luisa Riviere.
Duke of York’s Picturehouse, Brighton
Wednesday 18th October 8pm – TICKETS HERE
Q&A with director Gabriel Foster Prior and graphic designer James ‘Foz’ Foster, VFX artist Frank Foster and editor Will Steer.
Rio Cinema, London
Friday 3rd November 6:45pm – TICKETS HERE
Q&A with director Gabriel Foster Prior and cast members Scott Haran, Andi Jashy, Georgia Mabel Clarke, Lauren Douglin and David Schaal.