The opening night of this year’s Sci-Fi-London started and ended with a party. As the invited guests for the Arthur C Clarke Awards arrived, they were treated to a not exactly champagne and canapés reception (more beer and sausages), but the vibrant bar of the Apollo was abuzz with conversation as the sci-fi literati mingled with the festival’s invited guests for the fifth birthday bash.
After all the ACCA nominees and guests filed into the salon for the main event of the evening, SFL’s guests enjoyed a bit of breathing space and the chance to down more beer, courtesy of Cobra.
Meanwhile in cinema 4, Paul Kincaid introduced this year’s nominated books, praising the quality of an all-British field, although one made up of diverse nationalities that reflects the multicultural nature of this country. His speech was heartfelt, and to the point, with the winner being announced by last year’s winner, China Melville, who presented the Award to Canadian-born Geoff Ryman for his novel Air. Paul Kincaid announced he would be stepping down as the Award’s chair and was presented with his own Award for ten years’ service. Then it was back to celebrating with more Cobra Beer and slices of birthday cake, while the cinema was prepared for a celebratory screening of Festival favourite and premiere film, The American Astronaut.
And the party continues.
 Guests and VIPs arrive at the Apollo |
 The party |
 Hollywood UFO director, George Willis, meets Tetsujin-28 outside the Apollo |
 Talkeoke attracts attention |
 The Award judges |
 Geoff Ryman accepts his Award from Paul Kincaid and China Melville |
 Paul Kincaid with his Award for ten years’ service to the ACCA |
 Shortlisted author Alistair Reynolds with winner Geoff Ryman |
 Let them eat birthday cake |
 Shortlisted author Kazuo Ishiguro raises a glass to SFL |