Serenity (2005 film) they will likely continue their pursuit in retribution for getting the word out. "Serenity" takes off with River as Mal's new pilot. The film is based on "Firefly", a television series canceled by the Fox Broadcasting Company in December 2002, after 11 of its 14 produced episodes had aired. Attempts to have other networks acquire the series failed, and creator Joss Whedon started to sell it as a film. He had been working on a film script since the show's cancellation. Shortly after the cancellation, he contacted Barry Mendel, who was working with Universal Studios, and "flat-out asked him" for
Sci-Fi on the Rock awarded to the film that received the highest amount of audience votes. In its first year, 11 films were submitted and screened, 10 of which were from local film-makers, and one (X-Meeting) from Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2015, the film festival separated from Sci-Fi on the Rock due of large interest, and became a stand-alone event called Granite Planet International Film Festival, but still brings highlighted films to be screened at Sci-Fi on the Rock. A refreshed version of the Film Festival will be returning to Sci-Fi on the Rock in 2018 to be organized by Sci-Fi on the Rock.