Star Wars fan films: A comprehensive guide
With the recent announcement of the 2018 Star Wars Fan Film Award winners, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best Star Wars fan films that are floating around the internet.
While some Star Wars fans may be content with the now-double digit collection of feature films after the latest installment of the saga, Solo, there are others who pine for more Star Wars outside of the big screen.
With a variety fan film awards dating back to 2002, the Star Wars brand has always supported and encouraged the creation of short films that help expand the universe of a galaxy far, far away. The most recent series of awards were given out just last month at StarWars.com with a variety of interesting categories for both long and short form films, including best comedy and best animation.
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My excitement for fan films was running overtime after going through the 2018 awards list and I was inspired to go back through some of my personal favorite films from the past few years. I compiled a list of those that received some honors in the past and others that may have just been overlooked.
Award Winners
The Sable Corsair (2016)
Smugglers and bounty hunters fighting in a desert with a lightsaber to boot; need I say more about The Sable Corsair, which could be mistaken for a deleted scene out of A New Hope. Closely identifying with the opening movies of each Star Wars trilogy (with some punchy dialogue as well), this Audience Choice Award winner is a great starter movie for those looking to dabble in the fan film world.
Star Wars: A Lesser Evil (2015)
As a sucker for a good lightsaber duel, this 2015 Fan Film Award winner (Filmmaker Select) has plenty of action as it follows a Jedi Master and his apprentice as they track down a Sith lord with the help of a mysterious bounty hunter. Along with a nice name drop at the end, this short film by Iron Horse Cinema resonates with Star Wars fans who clamor for constant action and Sith-Jedi storylines.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Stormtroopers march the red carpet at the European Premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi at the Royal Albert Hall on December 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney)
TK-436: A Stormtrooper Story (2016)
Despite lacking the flair of its predecessor, this 2016 Filmmaker Select winner plays out with a Rogue One-style that tugs at the heart strings of the Star Wars world. Along the lines of The Clone Wars series, TK-436 builds on the hopelessness of war and its impact on families throughout the galaxy pairing grit with strong visual effects throughout.
Exile: Episode 1 (2016)
A personal favorite from this most recent crop from the 2018 Star Wars Fan Film Awards, this year’s winner for best choreography and best visual effects follows various Jedi storylines during the aftermath of Order 66. With Sith battles and a non-traditional Master-Padawan relationship, Exile is a multi-faceted film with an apt perspective on what life as a Jedi may have been like during that time.
Best of the Rest
Photo Credit: [Star Wars Rebels] Lucasfilm, Cartoon Network
Dark Maul: Apprentice (2016)
Arguably the GOAT of the Star Wars fan film world, this masterpiece perfectly portrays Darth Maul in his quest to become a full fledged Sith apprentice. Given one final task by Darth Sidious before his introduction to the galaxy, we get more lightsaber than we could ever ask for during the action-packed 17-minute run time. A perfect beginning for someone trying out the fan film world.
Tie Fighter (2015)
An ode to the Adult Swim Japanese anime of my youth, this minimal dialogue portrayal of a space battle from the Empire’s perspective has a style not found in any other fan film I’ve encountered. With a Speed Racer in space feel, Tie Fighter is a fun adventure that will leave you wondering which side you’re on.
Hoshino (2016)
Made to feel like a true Star Wars tale, Hoshino follows the story of a Jedi from apprenticeship to becoming a full fledged master. Without ruining the finer details, the film hits on all the criteria that fans are looking for with lightsaber action, Jedi/Sith battles, and some snappy dialogue. Think Kill Bill meets Star Wars on this one.
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith] Lucasfilm
Vader Episode 1: Shards of the Past (2018)
Extensively covered by my colleague, James Richards, Star Wars Theory’s deep dive into the mind of Darth Vader gives fans a nice take on his post-Episode III life. From his relationship with Emperor Palpatine to his own personal feelings, Shards of the Past provides a behind the scenes look into Vader and some of the unresolved issues that he grapples with.
Honorable Mention: Rebel Scum (2016), Days Past (2017), Star Wars: Destroyer (2017)
dark. Next. Disney claims copyright on Star Wars Theory’s Vader fan film
What is your favorite fan film? Hit the comments and let us know.