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.
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.
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 MeatRed Planet BluesMicrogravityCost of LivingCircus of InfinityHeartbeatCost of LivingScribbleHeydayThe Grandfather ParadoxLa Vie d'un Chien (The Life of a Dog)A Piece of WoodPerfect HeatSkewedKillswitchWirelessInto the MaelstromneoplasiaWelcome to EdenThe Hard Ages-Trial RunSuper-AnonAwards
Grand Prize: They're Made Out of Meat (Ireland), Director: Stephen O'ReganSecond Place: Red Planet Blues (USA), Director: David H. BrooksThird Place: Microgravity (USA), Director: David SandersHonorable Mention: Cost of Living (Canada), Director: Jonathan JoffeHonorable Mention: Circus of Infinity (USA), Director: Sue CorcoranHonorable Mention: Heartbeat(Israel), Director: Omri Bar-LevyAudience Favorite: Cost of Living (Canada), Director: Jonathan JoffeDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Microgravity (USA), Director: by David SandersFestival Jury
Richard HuttonDouglas TrumbullThomas VitaleCraig EnglerKathleen MurphyVonda McIntyreLawrence KraussJacob McMurrayBeth BarrettOn 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
TransgressionsThe Un-GoneWays to Die at HomeMaklar, Anyone?Atomic BananaSingularityThe Inedible BulkMachinationsFantastic FortuneF*ck You, Pay MeThe RealmSpaceballHaunted PlanetLife SignsProject K.A.T.TV ManMizarAgnieszkaThe Tragical Historie of Guidolon the Giant Space ChickenFace MachineAwards
Grand Prize: Transgressions (USA), Director: Valerie WeissSecond Place: The Un-Gone (UK), Director: Simon BoveyThird Place: 13 Ways to Die at Home (USA), Director: Lee LanierAudience Favorite: Maklar, Anyone? (USA), Director: Phil GuzzoDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: 13 Ways to Die at Home (USA), Director: Lee LanierOn 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, VampireAlpha WormThe ApparatusE:D:E:NEggworldLucidityMonster Job HunterNot 2b Toyed WithThe RecordistThe Nothing PillAvant Petalos GrilladosEEE-FunkEscape! From Robot IslandForecastFour CornersGrawI Was a Creature From Outer Space!The MournerOperation: FishWhat Love RemainsAwards
Grand Prize: Forecast (USA), Director: Erik CourtneySecond Place: Four Corners (USA), Director: Douglas MuellerThird Place: Escape! From Robot Island (USA), Director: Tim ThompsonAudience Favorite: E:D:E:N (Italy), Director: Fabio GuaglioneDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Operation: Fish (USA), Director: Jeff RileyOn 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
BAITBugbearThe CommunicatorsHoseNotes from the Acrid Plain with Burton Hoary, Vol. 7OutsourceScionThe WhistlerWishing WellWormhole ChasersAbigailBeatgirl – A Piece of Action!CollectorEel GirlF A D EThe HeistHirsuteSix Impossible ThingsThings LastThe Tiny SpaceshipAwards
Grand Prize: F A D E (Australia), Director: Vincent TaylorSecond Place: Outsource (USA), Director: Daniel TreziseThird Place: Notes from the Acrid Plain with Burton Hoary, Vol. 7(USA), Director: Jonathan AshleyAudience Favorite: Hirsute (Canada), Director: A.J. BondDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Outsource (USA), Director: Daniel TreziseFestival Jury
Erik CourtneyJesse HarrisDaniel MyrickMarc Scott ZicreeDaniel ThorntonAristomenis TsirbasChris WeitzThe 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
AlmaBeast of BurdenCharlie ThistleDie Schneider KrankheitExtra-OrdinaryS.S. HumanityShuttle T-42The Control MasterThe KirkieTo the MoonAfterglowArthur's LoreBurdenCC 2010Elder SignHands Off!Hangar No. 5Nanosporin AISingularityThird Days ChildAwards
Grand Prize: The Control MasterSecond Place: AlmaThird Place: Charlie ThistleAudience Favorite: Charlie ThistleDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Hangar No. 5Festival Jury
A.J. BondJesse HarrisSusan LaSalleHoward McCainDaniel MyrickVincent TaylorMarc Scott ZicreeThe 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 WorldThe Astronomer's SunCockpit: The Rule of EngagementDenmarkEmmaHector Corps.Juan Con MiedoKeep Watching The Skies!King EternalLivelineLocal UniteNecronomiconProject PanaceaSchizofredricSparkSuper ScienceTelevisnuTUBThe Wonder HospitalZeroAwards
Grand Prize: The Astronomer's SunSecond Place: SchizofredricThird Place: All the Time in the WorldAudience Favorite: Hectors Corps.Douglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Cockpit: The Rule of EngagementFestival Jury
Barbara BrownBen KasulkeHoward McCainAnnalee NewitzBragi Schut Jr.Lindy WestDaniel WilsonShort films presented
Time FreakDecapoda ShockChorebotAttack of the Killer Mutant Chickens (Murgi Keno Mutant)Dolls Factory (Fábrica de Muñecas)Matter FisherThe Comet ChroniclesTerminusOliver Bump’s BirthdayDead HappyMahahula the Giant Rodent of HappinessThe Dungeon MasterBirdboyThe EpiphanyThe CaptivusCrystal JamProtoparticulasThe Sierra ProjectCarta A JuliaMadame Perrault’s BluebeardThe Hunger and the Swan Discuss Their MeetingAwards
Grand Prize: The Hunger and the Swan Discuss Their MeetingSecond Place: Time FreakThird Place: TerminusDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: TerminusAudience Choice: Time FreakFestival Jury
Jon LandauSimon CartwrightJessica CopeHoward McCainIlona Rossman HoAdam SekularPaul ConstantDavid GoldbergShort films presented
Lucky Day ForeverSmall TimeTumultLuminarisThe Gate88:88Cats in SpaceCheap ExterminationEvelynFoxesFrankie Rulez!!!Giant Monster PlaysetOowiewannaA Lost and Found Box of Human SensationMotorhomeThe Narrative of Victor KarlochPosthumanThumb Snatchers from the Moon CocoonYou, Me + WeThe WheelZingAwards
Grand Prize: Lucky Day ForeverFirst Runner-up : TumultSecond Runner-up: LuminarisDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: The GateAudience Award: Small TimeFestival Jury
Sue CorcoranRobert HortonBear McCrearyCharles MudedeAndrew AllenJason SondhiRider and Shiloh StrongIn partnership with SIFF, EMP Museum presented the ninth annual Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival at the Seattle Cinerama on January 11, 2014.
Short films presented
SleepworkingRPG OKCLouder, PleaseNight GiantVoice OverThe BeyondBless YouThe DeceleratorsDrainEmitHoneymoon SuiteThe Magic SalmonMirageNorth BayRobotaRed SummerShiftSpacetime Fabric SoftenerStar-CrossedWillowshadeAwards
Grand Prize: SleepworkingFirst Runner-up : Louder, PleaseSecond Runner-up: Night GiantDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: Voice OverAudience Award: RPG OKCFestival Jury
John Joseph AdamsSJ ChiroLaura Jean CroninCheryl HensonDavid Barr KirtleyMarc LaidlawSeth SommerfeldThe 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.
Short films presented
In the BeginningTempête sur anorak (Storm Hits Jacket)Time Travel LoverDestinyWanderersThe Looking PlanetLessons LearnedThe NostalgistMaking FriendsLittle QuentinPandy (Pandas)The Master’s Voice: caveirãoSorry About TomorrowA Stitch in Time (for $9.99)LUCIDWakeningDay 40CalderaGumdropAwards
Grand Prize: CalderaFirst Runner-up : In the BeginningSecond Runner-up: Little QuentinDouglas Trumbull Award for Best Special Effects: GumdropAudience Award: In the BeginningThe Dark Side Short films presented'
MalariaHungry HickoryCarnLunaPupaGrave ShiversKekasihCold TurkeyDji. Death FailsAwards
Grand Prize: CarnFirst Runner-up : KekasihAudience Award: MalariaFestival Jury
Gregg HaleAndrew BowlerChris HarrisonMeg HumphreyBen KasulkeMark ShapiroTom TangneyGavin WilliamsThe 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.
Short films presented
AdenFrostThe Witching HourThe Red ThunderThe Future PerfectGoblin QueenPalm RotTristes Déserts (A Robot's Tale)The GardenLa Fille Bionique (Bionic Girl)Mis-DropEmployee of the DayJulietWay OutThe Brain HackNo Look DunkDisco InfernoThey Will All Die in SpaceDoublesAwards
Grand Prize Winner: AdenSecond Place Winner: FrostThird Place Winner: JulietDouglas Trumbull Award for Visual Effects: Aden