Screening at the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, we're the Biggest Little Science + Fiction Film Festival in the World!

Our goal is to bring science fiction and science documentary short films to audiences in Nevada and around the world -- and to recognize, reward and showcase creativity, ingenuity and science-based imagination.

Category Awards for:

Best Science Documentary Short
Best Science-Fiction Short (Animation)
Best Science-Fiction Short (Live Action)
Best Virtual Reality

Specialty Awards include:

Roddenberry Award / Audience Choice
Best Fan Film
Best Planetarium Dome Film
Best Space Film (Animation or Live Action)
Directors' and Critics' Awards
Family-Friendly and Education Awards
Science + Imagination Award

Filmmakers must have the legal right to screen their film.

By submitting, the filmmaker grants the Festival the right to screen their film without fee or royalties for festival participants at premium local venues.

Note: All submissions must be made online, uploaded as a digital file. We do not accept, or return, dvds or other media.

Submission fees are not refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • It was an absolute honor for us to take part in Sci-On and to receive the Roddenberry Audience Choice Award for Best Science Fiction Short Film of the Year!
    The festival team was kind, communicative, and truly passionate about sci-fi.
    Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend in person — the venue looks fantastic, and I hope to visit in the future.
    There aren’t many festivals focused specifically on science fiction short films, and Sci-On truly stands out.
    It really is the “biggest little sci-fi festival in the world.”
    Congratulations to the whole team, and thank you for celebrating independent science fiction!

    May 2025
  • Patrick Pizzolorusso

    What an absolute joy to be a part of this festival! Thank you to the whole team for welcoming my film in. Anyone looking for a great Sci-Fi festival need not look any more. Sci-On! was such a fun festival to be a part of that truly celebrates all that is science fiction. Absolutely submit your projects here!

    May 2025
  • Many thanks to Sci-On! film festival for selecting my short drama 'The Building'. I really appreciate the opportunity to screen my film for an international audience who are engaged with the sci fi genre and the social impact of Ai.

    May 2025
  • Douglas DeVore

    A fun festival in a very unique environment! The festival director and staff were very communicative and passionate about the festival. We really enjoyed attending

    May 2025
  • Justin Barber

    Wow what a special event in beautiful Reno! The Planetarium setting was unforgettable and the Director there was a great host and MC. I would love to show another film there in the future.

    May 2024