Star Wars is a massive enterprise and it only get bigger each year with new books, comics, TV shows, films and games. It is the largest fan expanded universe spanning not only galaxies, technology, and species never seen in the main Star Wars series, but also a millennia worth of histories and futures. The EU isn’t limited to the Lucasfilm approved books, comics, or films. Canon or not, there are thousands of fans making their own stories, short films and novels alike, whether they’re simply lightsaber battles against Darth Maul, a Han Solo back story, or the story of a blind Jedi being hunted by Sith. Here are the best Star Wars Fan Films on Youtube.
Honorable Mention: Troops
Released in 1997, Troops is a Star Wars parody of the TV Show Cops. It follows Stormtroopers on Tattooine as they’re on their patrol and they run across some pretty familiar characters. It won the inaugural Pioneer Award at the 2002 Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards.
5. TK-436: A Stormtrooper’s Tale
This film was the Filmmaker Select Winner of the 2016 Star Wars Fan Film Awards, and rightly so. I was surprised by how well done this film was, from the cinematic shots to how well it conveyed that atmosphere of conflict. There was even a nice nod to fans involving Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen. Stormtrooper TK-436 tells the story of his experiences during the war against the Rebel Alliance and his internal struggle concerning the girl he loves back home. This is a war story as much as it is a love story.
4. Rebel Scum
Filmed on the Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies, Rebel Scum follows Echo 12 as he tries to get back to his family shortly after the Battle of Hoth. One of the really special things about this film is the use of stop-motion animation and other traditional special effects rather than CGI. It was an official selection at 4 different international film festivals and Remi Winner of the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.
3. Han Solo: A Smuggler’s Trade
Han Solo is in a bar fight right from the start and caught cheating at cards, but throughout the first scene he’s still trying to smooth talk his way out. Its revealed that he’s alone and Chewbacca is elsewhere. The filmmakers here absolutely nailed Han’s character, from how he talks and gestures to his demeanor and attitude. The costuming is another extremely well done part of a film that looks like it could have been produced by Lucasfilm.
2. Hoshino
This film is about Jedi Ko Hoshino, who lost her sight. As she constructs her lightsaber using the force, we see her youthful days of training under Master Jaan-Xu and her brash and impatient attitude. This film has amazing special effects to show off force abilities. If you’re looking for a film to watch more lightsaber battles, this isn’t the one you want to watch. What it does give is a deeper look into the philosophies of the Jedi.
One of the greatest things about the Prequels was Darth Maul. The enigmatic killing machine that captured the imagination of millions didn’t get nearly enough screen time and this 17 minute clip attempts to capture who he was before the events of Episode 1. This short film is about one of Maul’s last missions as an apprentice when a team of Jedi land near his hidden base. Featuring incredible special effects and CGI, this is probably one of the best lightsaber battles to ever be choreographed.
