Sffsff2022 cfe blog 1140x550

Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival (SFFSFF) is an annual film festival hosted by MoPOP and SIFF to celebrate new and innovative additions to the science fiction and fantasy cinematic arts. Now in its 17th year, SFFSFF screens animated and live-action science fiction and fantasy films from around the world, which are then judged by nationally recognized film critics.

This wildly popular festival has sold out for the last ten years in a row, packing the house with enthusiastic fans from the region’s sci-fi, fantasy, and film communities. Last year we hosted our first-ever digital showcase, inviting fans from all over the world to view the latest and greatest in genre film. Films from SFFSFF have also received international distribution and sparked the interest of a vast network of film fans — even receiving Academy Awards nominations, museum exhibition features, and more.

SFFSFF is now collecting submissions for the 2022 film festival. All films entering the festival must have been completed no earlier than January 2017 and should be no longer than 15 minutes in length.* Films will be accepted from July 21–December 23.

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

Important Dates:

July 21–August 23 - $20 Early Bird Deadline

August 24–October 25 - $25 Regular Deadline

October 26–November 26 - $35 Late Deadline

November 27–December 23 - $40 Extended Deadline

February 2022 - Notification of Acceptance

March 2022 - Film Print Due

April 2022 - Prize Winners Notified

May 21st and 22nd - SFFSFF

We be offering a ‘pay-what-you-can' submission fee model for all BIPOC identifying filmmakers through waiver codes. If you would like a waiver code (FilmFreeway does not have a sliding scale option) please email us (kasig@mopop.org) and we'll be happy to provide you with a waiver for a percentage off the entry fee. Waivers are currently only available to BIPOC submitters (Black and/or Indigenous People of Color as well as all filmmakers who identify as People of Color) as well as Disabled Filmmakers. This submission policy is to challenge the lack of access to filmmaking and institutional film culture for people from the most marginalized and exploited backgrounds.

Options for BIPOC and Disabled Filmmaker discount:

5% off entry fee

10% off entry fee

25% off entry fee

50% off entry fee

75% off entry fee

100% off entry fee

Youth Track:

Are you a young filmmaker itching to get your work watched? Submit to SFFSFF Youth Track! Filmmakers 24 and under are encouraged to submit their science fiction and fantasy short films. The top films will be screened in a SFFSFF Youth Track virtual showcase, and the winner, chosen by our esteemed Youth Advisory Board, will have their film screened in the non-Youth Track festival where they’ll participate in a Q+A session, rub elbows with industry professionals, and receive a free masterclass of their choosing.

Awards & Prizes

Awards:

Grand Prize
Second Place
Third Place
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects

Rules & Terms

Completion Date:

Films must have been completed no earlier than January 2017.

Film Length and Genre:

Films must be no longer than 15 minutes.* Films are selected on the basis of quality and originality, and preference is given to original premieres.

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

Can be 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)

Presentation:

Selected films must be made available for presentation as high-resolution digital files (2k or 1080p resolution [.mov file encoded using Apple ProRes 422 or equivalent pro codec] or hi-res mpeg-4 file). Accepted films must arrive as high-resolution digital files. Failure to provide the film in the specified format will result in the film being dropped from the festival. To ensure the wide variance of frame rates and resolutions conform properly to our system we convert the high quality files to DCP in house.

Language:

Foreign language films must be made available with the original language soundtrack and English subtitles.

Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. By signing your name below, you authorize that you have read and understood and hereby agree to the general festival rules.

1 Review
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  • sam dawes

    I really enjoyed this festival. It was obviously a strange year with having to join in remotely, but it was organised very well. It was very tidy and easy to follow, and the films were all of a great quality. Would definitely recommend entering this festival!

    March 2021
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