Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival

Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival
Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival
Status	Active
Genre	Fantasy/science fiction
Venue	Seattle Cinerama
Location(s)	Seattle, Washington
Country	United States
Inaugurated	2006
Organized by	Museum of Pop Culture and SIFF
Website	https://www.mopop.org/programs/science-fiction-and-fantasy-short-film-festival

The Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival (SFFSFF) is an international genre film festival devoted to fantasy and science fiction cinema from across the globe. The SFFSFF takes place annually every winter in Seattle, Washington at the world-renowned Seattle Cinerama Theater. The festival brings together industry professionals in filmmaking and the genres of science fiction and fantasy to encourage and support new, creative additions to science fiction and fantasy cinema arts. The (SFFSFF) is a co-production of the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly called EMP) and SIFF.

Overview

Originally, the festival when it was announced in 2005 was named the Science Fiction Short Film Festival. The word and subject field of Fantasy was added later for the 2009 edition. SFFSFF's mission is to promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of science fiction & fantasy cinema. "Seattle’s robust art scene and strong film culture offers opportunities for creative filmmakers to tell stories within the framework of science fiction, and fosters a connection between filmmakers, directors, producers, writers and audiences," said Therese Littleton, EMP/SFM spokesperson. "This is a great event to recognize achievement and innovation in science fiction filmmaking and storytelling disciplines and EMP/SFM is very proud to be a part of it." Submissions will be judged based on originality, quality, artistic merit, innovation, voice, style and narrative. A nationally recognized panel of distinguished film, television, literature, and science fiction industry professionals, peers and film critics has reviewed qualifying submissions each year of the festival to select the winners.

Past festivals

2006

The first Science Fiction Short Film Festival was held February 4, 2006 at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. Twenty original short films were showcased in competition to win a development pitch with the SCI FI Channel. Thirteen of the twenty directors were able to attend the festival; two traveling to Seattle from as far away as Israel and Ireland.

Short films presented

They're Made Out of Meat
Red Planet Blues
Microgravity
Cost of Living
Circus of Infinity
Heartbeat
Cost of Living
Scribble
Heyday
The Grandfather Paradox
La Vie d'un Chien (The Life of a Dog)
A Piece of Wood
Perfect Heat
Skewed
Killswitch
Wireless
Into the Maelstrom
neoplasia
Welcome to Eden
The Hard Ages-Trial Run
Super-Anon

Awards

Grand Prize: They're Made Out of Meat (Ireland), Director: Stephen O'Regan
Second Place: Red Planet Blues (USA), Director: David H. Brooks
Third Place: Microgravity (USA), Director: David Sanders
Honorable Mention: Cost of Living (Canada), Director: Jonathan Joffe
Honorable Mention: Circus of Infinity (USA), Director: Sue Corcoran
Honorable Mention: Heartbeat(Israel), Director: Omri Bar-Levy
Audience Favorite: Cost of Living (Canada), Director: Jonathan Joffe
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Microgravity (USA), Director: by David Sanders

Festival Jury

Richard Hutton
Douglas Trumbull
Thomas Vitale
Craig Engler
Kathleen Murphy
Vonda McIntyre
Lawrence Krauss
Jacob McMurray
Beth Barrett

2007

On February 3, 2007, the second annual Science Fiction Short Film Festival was held at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. The sci fi festival played to a sold-out crowd for the second year in a row. Out of a field of dozens of entries, the best short science fiction films were selected from around the United States and from as far away as England, Australia, and Taiwan. A jury of media professionals selected the best films of the 20 screened. At the festival, filmmakers answered audience questions while the crowd voted on their favorite film.

Short films presented

Transgressions
The Un-Gone
Ways to Die at Home
Maklar, Anyone?
Atomic Banana
Singularity
The Inedible Bulk
Machinations
Fantastic Fortune
F*ck You, Pay Me
The Realm
Spaceball
Haunted Planet
Life Signs
Project K.A.T.
TV Man
Mizar
Agnieszka
The Tragical Historie of Guidolon the Giant Space Chicken
Face Machine

Awards

Grand Prize: Transgressions (USA), Director: Valerie Weiss
Second Place: The Un-Gone (UK), Director: Simon Bovey
Third Place: 13 Ways to Die at Home (USA), Director: Lee Lanier
Audience Favorite: Maklar, Anyone? (USA), Director: Phil Guzzo
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: 13 Ways to Die at Home (USA), Director: Lee Lanier

2008

On February 2, 2008, the annual Science Fiction Short Film Festival was held at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. The Science Fiction Short Film Festival promotes and encourages an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of science fiction cinema. Its mandate is to create a forum for creative artistry in science fiction film and recognize the most outstanding short films produced. A pitch meeting with SCI FI Channel executives for a chance to potentially write or direct a two-hour film for the network was the grand prize.

Short films presented

Adam, Vampire
Alpha Worm
The Apparatus
E:D:E:N
Eggworld
Lucidity
Monster Job Hunter
Not 2b Toyed With
The Recordist
The Nothing Pill
Avant Petalos Grillados
EEE-Funk
Escape! From Robot Island
Forecast
Four Corners
Graw
I Was a Creature From Outer Space!
The Mourner
Operation: Fish
What Love Remains

Awards

Grand Prize: Forecast (USA), Director: Erik Courtney
Second Place: Four Corners (USA), Director: Douglas Mueller
Third Place: Escape! From Robot Island (USA), Director: Tim Thompson
Audience Favorite: E:D:E:N (Italy), Director: Fabio Guaglione
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Operation: Fish (USA), Director: Jeff Riley

2009

On February 7, 2009, the annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival was held at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. The festival brings together industry professionals in filmmaking and the genres of science fiction and fantasy to encourage and support new, creative additions to science fiction and fantasy cinema arts.

Short films presented

BAIT
Bugbear
The Communicators
Hose
Notes from the Acrid Plain with Burton Hoary, Vol. 7
Outsource
Scion
The Whistler
Wishing Well
Wormhole Chasers
Abigail
Beatgirl – A Piece of Action!
Collector
Eel Girl
F A D E
The Heist
Hirsute
Six Impossible Things
Things Last
The Tiny Spaceship

Awards

Grand Prize: F A D E (Australia), Director: Vincent Taylor
Second Place: Outsource (USA), Director: Daniel Trezise
Third Place: Notes from the Acrid Plain with Burton Hoary, Vol. 7(USA), Director: Jonathan Ashley
Audience Favorite: Hirsute (Canada), Director: A.J. Bond
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Outsource (USA), Director: Daniel Trezise

Festival Jury

Erik Courtney
Jesse Harris
Daniel Myrick
Marc Scott Zicree
Daniel Thornton
Aristomenis Tsirbas
Chris Weitz

2010

The Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival promotes and encourages an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of science fiction and fantasy cinema. Its mandate is to create a forum for creative artistry in science fiction and fantasy film and recognize the most outstanding short films produced. On January 30, 2010, the annual Science Fiction Short Film Festival will be held at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. 10 short films will screen in the first session 4:00pm – 6:00pm; 10 short films will screen in the second session 7:00pm – 9:00pm. An awards ceremony follows the second session.

Short films presented

Alma
Beast of Burden
Charlie Thistle
Die Schneider Krankheit
Extra-Ordinary
S.S. Humanity
Shuttle T-42
The Control Master
The Kirkie
To the Moon
Afterglow
Arthur's Lore
Burden
CC 2010
Elder Sign
Hands Off!
Hangar No. 5
Nanosporin AI
Singularity
Third Days Child

Awards

Grand Prize: The Control Master
Second Place: Alma
Third Place: Charlie Thistle
Audience Favorite: Charlie Thistle
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Hangar No. 5

Festival Jury

A.J. Bond
Jesse Harris
Susan LaSalle
Howard McCain
Daniel Myrick
Vincent Taylor
Marc Scott Zicree

2011

The Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival promotes and encourages an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of science fiction and fantasy cinema. Its mandate is to create a forum for creative artistry in science fiction and fantasy film and recognize the most outstanding short films produced. On January 29, 2011, the annual Science Fiction Short Film Festival will be held at the Seattle Cinerama Theater in Seattle, Washington. 10 short films will screen in the first session 4:00pm – 6:00pm; 10 short films will screen in the second session 7:30pm – 9:30pm. An awards ceremony follows the second session.

Short films presented

All the Time in the World
The Astronomer's Sun
Cockpit: The Rule of Engagement
Denmark
Emma
Hector Corps.
Juan Con Miedo
Keep Watching The Skies!
King Eternal
Liveline
Local Unite
Necronomicon
Project Panacea
Schizofredric
Spark
Super Science
Televisnu
TUB
The Wonder Hospital
Zero

Awards

Grand Prize: The Astronomer's Sun
Second Place: Schizofredric
Third Place: All the Time in the World
Audience Favorite: Hectors Corps.
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Cockpit: The Rule of Engagement

Festival Jury

Barbara Brown
Ben Kasulke
Howard McCain
Annalee Newitz
Bragi Schut Jr.
Lindy West
Daniel Wilson

2012

Short films presented

Time Freak
Decapoda Shock
Chorebot
Attack of the Killer Mutant Chickens (Murgi Keno Mutant)
Dolls Factory (Fábrica de Muñecas)
Matter Fisher
The Comet Chronicles
Terminus
Oliver Bump’s Birthday
Dead Happy
Mahahula the Giant Rodent of Happiness
The Dungeon Master
Birdboy
The Epiphany
The Captivus
Crystal Jam
Protoparticulas
The Sierra Project
Carta A Julia
Madame Perrault’s Bluebeard
The Hunger and the Swan Discuss Their Meeting

Awards

Grand Prize: The Hunger and the Swan Discuss Their Meeting
Second Place: Time Freak
Third Place: Terminus
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Terminus
Audience Choice: Time Freak

Festival Jury

Jon Landau
Simon Cartwright
Jessica Cope
Howard McCain
Ilona Rossman Ho
Adam Sekular
Paul Constant
David Goldberg

2013

Short films presented

Lucky Day Forever
Small Time
Tumult
Luminaris
The Gate
88:88
Cats in Space
Cheap Extermination
Evelyn
Foxes
Frankie Rulez!!!
Giant Monster Playset
Oowiewanna
A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation
Motorhome
The Narrative of Victor Karloch
Posthuman
Thumb Snatchers from the Moon Cocoon
You, Me + We
The Wheel
Zing

Awards

Grand Prize: Lucky Day Forever
First Runner-up : Tumult
Second Runner-up: Luminaris
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: The Gate
Audience Award: Small Time

Festival Jury

Sue Corcoran
Robert Horton
Bear McCreary
Charles Mudede
Andrew Allen
Jason Sondhi
Rider and Shiloh Strong

2014

In partnership with SIFF, EMP Museum (now called the Museum of Pop Culture) presented the ninth annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival at the Seattle Cinerama on January 11, 2014.

Short films presented

Sleepworking
RPG OKC
Louder, Please
Night Giant
Voice Over
The Beyond
Bless You
The Decelerators
Drain
Emit
Honeymoon Suite
The Magic Salmon
Mirage
North Bay
Robota
Red Summer
Shift
Spacetime Fabric Softener
Star-Crossed
Willowshade

Awards

Grand Prize: Sleepworking
First Runner-up : Louder, Please
Second Runner-up: Night Giant
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Voice Over
Audience Award: RPG OKC

Festival Jury

John Joseph Adams
SJ Chiro
Laura Jean Cronin
Cheryl Henson
David Barr Kirtley
Marc Laidlaw
Seth Sommerfeld

2015

The 15th Annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Fest took place at the Seattle Cinerama on Saturday, February 7, 2015. In addition to the main program on Saturday and Encore presentation on Sunday, special events were added on Friday, February 6: Escape from New York with a Live Score by Roladex, and SFFSFF The Dark Side, a presentation of horror-tinged and macabre shorts with its own awards following the screening.^[2]

Short films presented

In the Beginning
Tempête sur anorak (Storm Hits Jacket)
Time Travel Lover
Destiny
Wanderers
The Looking Planet
Lessons Learned
The Nostalgist
Making Friends
Little Quentin
Pandy (Pandas)
The Master’s Voice: caveirão
Sorry About Tomorrow
A Stitch in Time (for $9.99)
LUCID
Wakening
Day 40
Caldera
Gumdrop

Awards

Grand Prize: Caldera
First Runner-up : In the Beginning
Second Runner-up: Little Quentin
Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Gumdrop
Audience Award: In the Beginning

The Dark Side Short films presented'

Malaria
Hungry Hickory
Carn
Luna
Pupa
Grave Shivers
Kekasih
Cold Turkey
Dji. Death Fails

Awards

Grand Prize: Carn
First Runner-up : Kekasih
Audience Award: Malaria

Festival Jury

Gregg Hale
Andrew Bowler
Chris Harrison
Meg Humphrey
Ben Kasulke
Mark Shapiro
Tom Tangney
Gavin Williams

2016

The 16th Annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Fest took place at the Seattle Cinerama on Saturday, March 19, 2016, with an Encore presentation on Sunday.^[3]

Short films presented