Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ Celebrates 40 Years with All New Short Films

Originally released May 25, 1979, Ridley Scott’s classic Alien changed the game for both sci-fi and horror filmmakers. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Scott’s tension filled subtle thriller has spawned a franchise which includes seven sequels and crossovers.

And while, personally, it might be hard to compare its legacy with its James Cameron direct sequel Aliens, Scott’s original has endeared as one of the greatest sci-fi’s (if not greatest movies) of all time.

To celebrate its 40 year anniversary, 20th Century Fox - in partnership with Tongal - opened up submissions to produce six original fan made short film which they would premiere to commemorate the anniversary.

The first set to release on March 29th (and each weekly for the five weeks after), the brands have released the final winners along with an inspiring (and terrifying) trailer for the lot of them.

The ‘Alien’ Inspired Shorts

Out of 550 submissions, the selected six shorts will thematically connect directly with the original Alien film and exist in the same space and universe.

"Being able to give filmmakers everywhere the chance to make their mark on an iconic franchise and extend the Alien narrative was really special for us and everyone involved. And the superfans delivered in a big way. We can’t wait for the fans to see what they’ve created — because at the end of the day, it was made for them." - Tongal co-founder and CEO James DeJulio

Here are the six shorts with their plot breakdowns.

"Alien: Alone — Hope, an abandoned crewmember aboard the derelict chemical hauler Otranto, has spent a year trying to keep her ship and herself alive as both slowly fall apart. After discovering hidden cargo, she risks it all to power up the broken ship in search of human life. Written and directed by Noah Miller.

Alien: Containment — Four survivors find themselves stranded aboard a small escape pod in deep space. Trying to piece together the details around the outbreak that led to their ship’s destruction, they find themselves unsure to trust whether or not one of them might be infected.  Written and directed by Chris Reading.

Alien: Harvest — The surviving crew of a damaged deep-space harvester have minutes to reach the emergency evacuation shuttle. A motion sensor is their only navigation tool leading them to safety while a creature in the shadows terrorizes the crew. However, the greatest threat might have been hiding in plain sight all along. Directed by Benjamin Howdeshell.

Alien: Night Shift — When a missing space trucker is discovered hungover and disoriented, his co-worker suggests a nightcap as a remedy. Near closing time, they are reluctantly allowed inside the colony supply depot where the trucker’s condition worsens, leaving a young supply worker alone to take matters into her own hands. Written and directed by Aidan Breznick.

Alien: Ore — As a hard-working miner of a planet mining colony, Lorraine longs to make a better life for her daughter and grandchildren. When her shift uncovers the death of a fellow miner under mysterious circumstances, Lorraine is forced to choose between escape or defying management orders and facing her fears to fight for the safety of her family. Written and directed by the Spear Sisters."

The first short will make its premiere on IGN on March 29th, 2019.