In celebration of Amherst Cinema’s 20^th anniversary, the DEFA Film Library invites the local community to a free screening the cinema of the epic sci-fi adventure “Signals: A Space Adventure,” on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

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Sourced from the film’s original 70mm negatives, this is a new 6K restoration of director Gottfried Kolditz’s 1970 classic. Set in the 21^st century, “Signals” explores the existence of alien civilizations and was produced by East Germany’s state-run DEFA Studio for Feature Films. Intended as an answer from behind the Iron Curtain to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Signals” utilizes many of the same cinematic marvels: expansive, breathtaking shots of the cosmos alongside gorgeous, futuristic set designs and costumes.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our two decades of collaboration with Amherst Cinema, and we look forward to bringing many more rare East German cinematic gems and exciting programming ideas to Amherst Cinema’s big screen,” says Hiltrud Schulz, DEFA production and outreach manager.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Victoria Rizo Lenshyn, DEFA associate director, and Stephen R. Bissette, an acclaimed cartoonist, author and film critic.

While free to the public, tickets must be reserved in advance and are available exclusively at the Amherst Cinema box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be picked up during regular box office hours or at the door on the evening of the screening.

More information can be found at UMass.edu/DEFA.