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 EMP Museum 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