The fantasy film festival segment is one of the most important on the circuit; most of them are generalist in nature, as I discussed in this other post, but there are others specialising in sub-segments within the same genre, such as science fiction and horror festivals.
Along these lines, we can find different types of festivals coexisting in the same city, region or country, but with very different programming lines.
For example, in Catalonia we have the Sitges Festival, one of the most important fantasy film festivals in the world, and Molins de Reins, dedicated exclusively to horror cinema; both festivals are part of the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals.
In New York there are examples of festivals dedicated to horror, such as the New York City Horror Film Festival, and others to science fiction, such as the recently created New York Sci FI Film Festival. In Austin we find the famous Fantastic Fest, more generalist in nature, and Other Worlds, dedicated to science fiction.
Although the boundaries of these segments can be somewhat blurred, we should take them into account in our festival strategy and know the film we are distributing well; there is, of course, a difference between science fiction cinema and horror cinema.
There are many generalist fantasy film festivals, and also a good number of horror festivals, but I think there are fewer festivals specialising in science fiction; in fact, in Spain I have not found film festivals dedicated exclusively to this segment, which could be an opportunity to create new festivals.
In this post I have tried to review festivals with different approaches to science fiction, and which specialise in the genre. In total I have noted 7 festivals, some of them with open calls for entries:
#1 Other Worlds Austin SciFi Film Festival
Although it has only four editions, it has become one of the most important science fiction festivals in the United States. As I said before, it coexists in the same city with Fantastic Fest, but in this case its specialisation is clearly science fiction, although, curiously, this year they also accept horror feature films and shorts, horror films.
At the moment it still has the late deadline open until August 31, with a fee of $50 for feature films and $40 for shorts (up to 40 minutes). It takes place from December 7 to 10, 2017.
#2 Boston Science Fiction Film Festival
This festival has been running for no less than 43 years, a true pioneer in science fiction, dedicated exclusively to the genre. It also accepts feature films and short films, as well as web series.
It takes place from February 9 to 19 and has its regular deadline open until September 20, for $46 and $42 respectively.
#3 Sci-Fi-London Film Festival
Along the same lines as Boston, and with 17 editions, in London there is also a festival specialising exclusively in science fiction, with a section dedicated to virtual reality, and which coexists with London FrightFest, dedicated to horror.
At the moment it has its early deadline open, since a few days ago, until January 2, 2018. The entry fee is $18 for shorts and $20 for features. Feature films are considered those over 62 minutes.
Submissions are also handled through FilmFreeway; the festival will take place from May 3 to 10.
#4 Festival du Film Merveilleux et Imaginaire
In Paris there is a festival with a very original editorial line, which we can include within science fiction and fantasy. The Festival du Film Merveilleux et Imagienaire is dedicated to fantasy from the point of view of fable, poetry, magic, etc.
I believe there is no other festival with this editorial line within science fiction. It takes place in Paris, and as with other festivals it coexists in the same city with a fantasy film festival, such as the Paris International Film Festival; both have complementary programmes.
Its latest edition ended recently; it takes place from June 29 to July 1. Submission is usually free.
#5 Utopiales – Nantes Science Fiction Festival
In France there is also one of the most important festivals around science fiction, but Utopiales is not just a festival, but a major event around the genre, spanning literature, visual arts and of course cinema, which is programmed by Frédéric Temps by invitation; there is no open call for film submissions.
It takes place from November 1 to 6 at the Nantes Convention Centre.
#6 Trieste Science+Fiction Film Festival
In the Italian town the Sciencie+Fiction Film Festival also takes place, which is also part of the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals and therefore qualifies for the Méliès d’Or awards.
It now has submissions open until September 18 via FilmFreeway and its own PDF form, with no submission fees. It takes place from October 31 to November 5.
#7 Imagine Amsterdam
While Trieste has only a few weeks left until its deadline, in the case of Imagine in Amsterdam the call has been open for a short time and closes on December 31. It is also part of the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals.
It has a premiere requirement in the Netherlands, and in this case the submission costs $5 and is also done via FilmFreeway. It takes place from April 11 to 21.
Summing up science fiction festivals
You can still submit to most of these festivals; here is a summary of the deadline dates:
- Other Worlds Austin – August 31
- Trieste – September 18
- Boston – September 20
- Imagine – December 31
- London – January 2, 2018
There are many other science fiction festivals, and fantasy film festivals that lean towards one genre or the other. I hope these considerations help you, whether you are just starting out with the distribution of your film or have already been at it for several months.
If you know of more science fiction festivals, do not hesitate to share them in the comments below.