Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival

EMP Museum (EMP), in partnership with the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), announces the launch of the twelfth annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival. 



Wildly popular, the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival has sold out the renowned Seattle Cinerama for the last eight years in a row, packing the house with enthusiastic fans from the region’s sci-fi, fantasy, and film communities. Selected films are presented on Cinerama’s massive 70-foot screen, and the theater features a new state-of-the-art sound system and digital projection.



The Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival films make waves around the world. Featured films have received national distribution and sparked the interest of a vast network of film fans. Plus, all films screen for a jury of luminaries in the fields of science fiction and fantasy film, television, and literature. The festival marks the start of these films successes: previous Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival films have been nominated for Academy Awards, picked up for feature distribution, featured in museum exhibitions, presented at festivals around the world, and received international awards and accolades. 

  

SUBMISSIONS

From July 1 through September 30, 2016 the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival will accept short film submissions that meet the following requirements:

• Up to 15 minutes in length*
• Produced after 2012
• Animated or live-action
• Science fiction or fantasy (examples: futuristic stories, space adventure, technological speculation, social experiments, utopia and dystopia, sword and sorcery, folklore, urban fantasy, magic, and mythic adventure)

Submissions will be accepted according to the rules and regulations, and judged based on originality, quality, artistic merit, innovation, voice, style and narrative. We welcome submissions that step outside the boundaries of reality and inspire a sense of wonder.    





* Films that exceed 15 minutes may still be considered for the festival, but will not be eligible for awards.

  

JURY

A nationally recognized panel of distinguished film, television, literature, and science fiction industry professionals, peers and film critics will review qualifying submissions to determine the winners of the Grand Prize, Second Place, Third Place, and the Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects. Festival films will also be eligible for the Audience Favorite award. 



IMPORTANT DATES

July 1, 2016 - Call for Entries opens

July 31, 2016 - Early submission deadline ($20)

Aug 31, 2016 - Regular submission deadline ($30)

Sept 30, 2016 - Late submission deadline ($40)

Oct 10, 2016 - Extension of late submission deadline ($50)

Oct 31, 2016 - Notification of acceptance 

Nov 30, 2016 - Film prints due 

Early 2017 - Festival (exact date TBA) 

  

MISSION & OBJECTIVE 

The Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival promotes and encourages an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of science fiction and fantasy cinema. Its mandate is to create a forum for creative artistry in science fiction and fantasy film and recognize the most outstanding short films produced.   

  

Visit empmuseum.org/filmfestival for more information.