Global pop cultural conceptions of the topics and tropes of science fiction film have largely been defined by the Hollywood SF blockbusters that have saturated international markets. With some notable exceptions (i.e., anime), Hollywood’s emphasis on big budget special effects has rendered the genre less adaptable to other spaces and modes of production. But fascinating science fiction films have been made across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In this course, we will explore the global reach of science fiction, screening films from Russia, Kenya, Argentina, South Africa, France, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Japan, and the Philippines. While a few of the films thematize space travel and planets in a literal sense, the term “planetary” functions primarily as a speculative lens through which to consider how different logics of space and place—from regional, national, trans-national, and global to inner- and outer- space—might enable us to think creatively about today’s ecological crises and colliding worlds. Student work includes weekly screenings, seminars, and Canvas posts, a variety of readings (from short stories to philosophy), and a significant final project. [Tracks C, M, S]