SCI-FI-LONDON is the UK's only dedicated science fiction film festival and is recognised internationally as a great place to premiere.

We seek out thought-provoking, challenging and exciting genre films, whether short form, features or relevant documentaries.

For 2024 we plan to try some format changes, which will involve us running an online event twice annually, with an ‘in real life’ screening once a year.

We are looking to focus on short science fiction films, with the occasional addition of feature-length films that we love and want to highlight.

Our online showcase festival will take place each March and October, it will be geo-blocked to the UK and run for a week. Access to the films will be to registered members of the list only.

After the online screening, we will add denials of the included films to our archive and hope that once you have done your festival run, we can link to a public viewing copy of your film.

This new initiative will be known as THE SCI-FI-LONDON LIST.

Will you make the list??

About us:
The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film or 'SCI-FI-LONDON' as we like to be known, promotes science fact as well as fiction.

Filmmakers often tell us that sci-fi is tough to make due to a perceived need for special effects or a lack of credible stories. Our festival looks at new ways of telling stories and puts cutting-edge research and practice in the spotlight.

Also, we are keen to encourage female directors and writers to submit without any financial hindrance - so drop us a line or look out for our F-RATED fee amnesties.

Scientists, comic artists, leading genre writers and filmmakers explore where fact and fiction intersect. Where 'what if' meets 'wtf'.

We have awards for each edition of THE SCI-FI-LONDON LIST
1ST PLACE
2ND PLACE
3RD PLACE
BEST STUDENT FILM
SPECIAL MENTION
AUDIENCE FAVOURITE (via an online poll)

We will also have special laurels for all those films that ‘made the list’ and there are awards planned to recognise the craft.

Submitting is easy, and our rules very simple.

We ONLY accept online screeners, via FF or links to other services like Vimeo, but only with a valid FilmFreeway reference.

Your film does not need to be a UK premiere, though we'd prefer it. However, it does need to have been completed in the last 15 months.

For screening, should your film be accepted, we will require a Download link to an HDMP4to our specification, details will be sent to you) AND an HD MP4.
We will also want at least 3 pictures from the film, a trailer and a subtitle file in English, unless the subs are already burnt in.

DO NOT SEND PRESS PACKS, PHOTOS, TESTIMONIALS OR ANYTHING ELSE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION - it is a waste of paper and post. If we accept your film, we will ask for any other things we need. PLEASE - make sure you upload a full press kit and trailer to your film's listing on FilmFreeway!

So, the process is this - our selection team view the film, if we like it...it's in!

Films submitted to the festival will be promoted on our social media, website, in printed materials (such as the festival programme, where applicable) and our press and marketing activity (this can include presenting films that we have selected to the press. You give us the right to use the name of the film, the images submitted for the uses listed. We will of course ask you if we want to screen your film in any tour or similar activity, as we often get asked to do guest spots at other festivals.

Once a film is submitted and accepted to the festival you guarantee to not withdraw it from the festival under any circumstances. You also guarantee to make sure we actually receive screening materials at least four weeks before the festival. If the screening is a world premiere, please talk to us about a)making a big deal about it and b) keeping us in the production loop!

All online films are geo-locked to the UK and behind secure DRM. If we accept your movie, please clarify that you have all the relevant copyright clearances, and your movie can be put in our secure screening room.

**Please note: We are careful to watch and evaluate every film submitted to our festival. Therefore, if you submitted the film you intend to submit in a previous year and were not accepted, please make sure that you have significantly changed your film (new sound mix, different ending, re-edited, shortened etc.) if you wish us to reconsider it.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your film.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Barnard

    Well-run event that provided excellent experience for Wintertide. Great communication, hospitality, and one of the most thorough Q&A's I've ever attended. Highly recommended.

    September 2023
  • Amazing festival with great programming for true sci-fi fans. As a filmmaker who couldn't attend the event I always felt well informed and in the loop, and communicating with the team was a breeze. Having our film screened at such a nice venue and winning the Audience Award for Best Short Film was an honor. Thank you for everything!

    August 2023
  • It was such a privilege to be a part of such a great festival! Thank you for selecting our short film "The Empathy Machine".

    August 2023
  • Cory McAbee

    I have always had a wonderful time at this festival!

    June 2023
  • Neeraj Bhattacharjee

    Can't have wished for a better festival to premiere my first short film at !!

    June 2023