
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 18th 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.
Films screened at SFFSFF have gone on to receive 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 2023 film festival.
MoPOP knows the importance of diversity in representation, especially in the film community. We continue to learn and grow every year, making sure that our festival reflects the values and breadth of communities that haven’t been seen or heard.
To keep that promise, we offer a “pay-what-you-can” submission fee model for BIPOC-identifying and disabled filmmakers. For more information, please email Kasi (KasiG@MoPOP.org) and we can provide you with a waiver for 5–100 percent off the entry fee.
Youth Track
SFFSFF Youth Track is now in its third year, highlighting filmmakers ages 24. The top films will be screened in a Youth Track showcase, and the winner — chosen by our Youth Advisory Board — will have their film screened in the main festival programming. The winning filmmaker will participate in a Q+A session, meet industry professionals, and receive a free masterclass of their choosing.
*Films that exceed 15 minutes may still be considered for the festival, but will not be eligible for awards.
Important Dates:
• August 1–August 31: $20 Early Bird Entry
• September 1–October 31: $25 Regular Entry
• November 1–December 1: $35 Late Entry
• December 2–January 16: $40 Extended Entry
• March 6 2023: Notification of Acceptance
• March 2023: Film Print Due
• June 3 & 4 2023: Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival
Grand Prize
Second Place
Third Place
Audience Award
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects