Helmsley Pl
London E8 3SB
UK
After the death of her father, Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) devotes her life to science. Convinced of the existence of extra-terrestrial life, she uses satellites to sweep the stars for evidence. When Ellie receives a transmission of what seems to be a blueprint from another species for the construction of a spacecraft, she has to contend with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and former lover, ex-priest Palmer Joss (Michael McConaughey), as she fights for the right to lead the ship’s maiden flight to meet the alien life forms…
The film will be preceded by a talk from science fiction author Stephen Baxter, a member of the Post Detection Task Group, a committee that advises radio astronomers and politicians on the implications of the detection of alien signals, or direct contact with alien intelligence, who will explore the actual protocols that have been agreed in the event of a detection.