Star Trek celebrates franchise history with documentary premiere and series anniversary

The documentary “The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World” held its red carpet premiere in Hollywood on September 24. Executive produced by William Shatner, the film explores the history and impact of the Star Trek franchise through new interviews with original series stars William Shatner, George Takei, and Walter Koenig, as well as cast members from various subsequent series.

The film, directed by Mark A. Altman, will be released in select theaters on October 9. It examines the artistic choices and behind-the-scenes developments that shaped the long-running science fiction franchise.

Separately, the franchise marks the 39th anniversary of the debut of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which premiered on September 28, 1987. The series, which introduced Captain Jean-Luc Picard, is credited with revitalizing the franchise and shifting the focus of science fiction television toward philosophical and interpersonal drama.