Orbital Redux wins big at the International Academy of Web Television Awards, including Best Drama Series

The series — a world first in live interactive online programming — garnered three awards across multiple categories during the ceremony.

Los Angeles, United States, 9th February 2022 – The science fiction series Orbital Redux has been awarded Best Drama Series, Best Directing (Drama), and Best Original Music at the 2022 International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV) Awards.

Produced by Butcher Bird Studios, the innovative series broke new ground in live interactive entertainment by combining cutting-edge live production technology with classic filmmaking techniques to achieve real-time cinema. The initial live streaming of Orbital Redux incorporated interactive audience elements, making viewers a part of the narrative — such as choosing character dialogue and plot points through on-screen interactive functions — but also used old-school techniques for effects such as zero-gravity scenes. A canonical narrative edition of the series launched in August 2021 through the free science fiction streaming platform DUST.

As with the filming of the show, the plot combines both mechanical and digital technology, with characters facing a computer virus-infested future that forces astronauts to rely on Apollo-era equipment while working to save an Earth facing a global energy shortage. The story follows former hot-shot astronaut Zachery “Max” Levodolinksy, played by Yuri Lowenthal (“Marvel’s Spider-Man” (PS4),  “Love, Death + Robots,” “Dota: Dragon’s Blood”) as he teaches his rookie partner Tomasina “Tommie” al-Qasimi, played by Yasmine Al-Bustami (“NCIS: Hawai’i,” “The Originals,” and “Nashville”) how to navigate the space program of 2050.

Steven Calcote, Director of Orbital Redux and partner at Butcher Bird Studios, says, “We’re beyond thrilled to see Orbital Redux’s success at this year’s IAWTV awards. As an exploration into what is possible in a new age of independent media and digital streaming, the series has truly taken on a life of its own. Of course, this would not have been possible without the incredible cast and crew who made the series their own at every step of the process and the viewers themselves, who created such an engaging and surprising narrative experience!”

You can watch all eight episodes of Orbital Redux, as well as an insight into its live production in Orbital Redux: Behind the Scenes, on DUST. The full IAWTV virtual ceremony is now available to watch on YouTube.

About Butcher Bird Studios

Butcher Bird Studios is a creative content company that leverages cutting-edge technology to tell the stories of the future. We offer a unique blend of creativity and innovation, bridging the gap between brands and non-traditional talent and media to engage new audiences. Our client portfolio includes forward-thinking entertainment and commercial companies such as Netflix, Twitch and BuzzFeed, amongst many others. butcherbird.com