Alien invasions, time travel, steampunk, space operas, and more: The sci-fi genre gives filmmakers a chance to take their stories in weird and wonderful directions. There’s a long history of sci-fi films being picked up at festivals, too. Following successful festival runs, Duncan Jones’ “Moon,” Shane Carruth’s “Primer,” Gareth Edwards’ “Monsters,” and Andrew Patterson’s “The Vast of Night” were all acquired by major distributors.
The popularity of the genre means that sci-fi filmmakers have plenty of options when it comes to submitting their films to festivals. Here are five upcoming sci-fi festivals worth considering.
1. San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival
Next submission deadline: Sept. 10
Late deadline: Oct. 10
Extended deadline: Oct. 31
Held throughout December, the 22-year-old Another Hole in the Head fest has become a stronghold for San Francisco’s thousands of genre film fans.
The festival celebrates and promotes all styles and budgets of independent film from a diverse array of filmmakers and genres, and offers both theatrical and virtual screenings. Its selection committee seeks projects that will mesmerize viewers with their spectacle, gross them out with their absurdity, and overall leave them excited or provoked. More than 250 films duke it out for 30 prizes, which include the best foreign, best U.S., best local, best creature, and best art/experimental films.
San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival will run from Dec. 1–25.
2. Boston SciFi Film Festival
Next submission deadline: Sept. 30
Extended deadline: Nov. 5
Boston SciFi is one of the longest-running genre film festivals in the United States; next year’s fest marks 51 years. Its organizers go through around 500 submissions for the five-day event, before selecting 100 films to be viewed by the 5,000 people that attend. Ultimately, 30 feature films and 80 shorts are screened, with regular awards handed out for best feature, shorts director, special effects, and documentary—and there are new awards offered each year to reflect the changing sci-fi landscape.
The festival offers a variety of workshops and panels for filmmakers, but its most distinctive aspect is its 24-hour marathon, “The Thon,” which screens a mixture of movies ranging from the critically acclaimed to cult classics.
Boston SciFi Film Festival’s next run takes place Feb. 11–16, 2026.
3. MidWest WeirdFest
Next submission deadline: Oct. 31
Late deadline: Dec. 20
Extended deadline: Jan. 16, 2026
Held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, less than two hours east of Minneapolis, the MidWest WeirdFest aims to bring paranormal, absurd, off-beat, weird, underground, and frightening indie films to America’s Dairyland. Its aesthetic makes attendees feel like they are in the cinematic equivalent of a dark carnival. More than that, though, its organizers look to support indie filmmakers, providing them with network opportunities and a chance to interact with audiences.
Now in its 10th year, the MidWest WeirdFest has clearly impressed filmmakers that do attend: It regularly makes our Top 100 Best Filmmaker Reviewed Festivals list, and Dread Central named it as one of the 90 Best Genre Film Festivals on Earth in 2025.
MidWest WeirdFest’s next run takes place March 5–8, 2026.
4. Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival
Shorts deadline: Jan. 19, 2026
Features deadline: Feb. 16, 2026
One of the biggest and most vibrant genre festivals in Europe, the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) showcases the most striking and provoking sci-fi, horror, and fantasy films from around the world. Its attendees can watch 70 feature films and 60 shorts across its 13-day event. Cinematic luminaries who have given master classes there include Danny Boyle (“28 Days Later,” “Sunshine”), whose debut film “Shallow Grave” screened at the 1995 edition; Dario Argento (“Suspiria,” “Phenomena”); and Guillermo del Toro (“Pacific Rim,” “The Shape of Water”).
What makes BIFFF really unique is the way the entire Belgian capital embraces the event, from art and makeup contests to the Bal des Vampires costume party to various other immersive experiences.
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival’s next run takes place April 3–18, 2026.
5. Sci-Fi London Film Festival
Next submission deadline: Oct. 31
Regular deadline: Dec. 31
Late deadline: Jan. 31, 2026
Extended deadline: Feb. 28, 2026
Now entering its 25th year, the Sci-Fi London Film Festival shows its 2,000 attendees 50 films over five days, and presents prizes for best student film, special mention, and audience awards. The festival’s programmers select the most captivating short, feature, and documentary sci-fi entries, with an emphasis on films that promote science both real and imagined by exploring the field’s achievements and breakthroughs.
Sci-Fi London also holds the 48-Hour Film Challenge, in which filmmakers create a sci-fi film in the span of (you guessed it) 48 hours, resulting in the creation of 1,400 short films and counting. The next challenge takes place April 25–27, 2026, in advance of the festival’s five-day run.
Sci-Fi London Film Festival’s next run takes place June 17–21, 2026.
