Our London-based annual international film festival enjoys an unrivalled reputation as a launchpad for genre film, a credible forum for industry events and networking, and a stimulating, inclusive environment for audiences. Insider, outsider, all are welcome at the friendliest festival in town.

Always keen to challenge stereotypes and push the definition of what ‘sci-fi‘ means, we have a reputation for programming a variety of exciting and independent films whilst remaining fun and inclusive.

The festival brings together the best science fiction and fantastic film from around the world. Our artistic programme includes international features, documentaries, short films, animation and filmmaking events and a host of related industry workshops and networking events combine the best of ‘science’ and ‘fiction’. We celebrate the shared experience of cinema in our all-nighter programmes and have plain old fun with our costume parades, and pub quiz.

We champion UK filmmaking via our 48 HOUR FILM CHALLENGE – judging panellists have included world-renowned industry directors, writers and producers such as John Landis and Guillermo del Toro whilst our alumni include Gareth Edwards whose career in features (Monsters, Godzilla) was kickstarted by his challenge win.

We are also proud to promote film literacy for young people in our children’s screenings and Q&As.

Our website carries news, competitions, interviews, archive audio and video content. Our audiences love to follow us in the twitterverse @scifilondon and on Facebook

See a need, fill a need…

The SCI-FI-LONDON film festival was created by the Festival Director, Louis Savy, “because there wasn’t one”.

“The festival started primarily because there wasn’t anywhere for low-budget, interesting or foreign science fiction films. Its purpose was to show films that you’re not likely to see in the UK at all, or that are going to be difficult to get hold of,” says Louis.

The festival has had to be very resourceful in lean times and has been funded entirely through ticket sales and sponsorship. Nevertheless, the capital’s film and media agency, Film London, recognises us as “… a significant contributor to London’s film cultural life. The strong audiences achieved by its screenings are a testament both to the city’s appetite for science fiction film and to the work the festival does in bringing new audiences to the genre.”

Here’s a taster of the world and UK premieres, preview screenings, directors Q&A sessions, and teasers we’ve presented over the years:

• THE FALL OF THE LOUSE OF USHER – Dir: Ken Russell
• 28 WEEKS LATER – Dir: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
• CHEMICAL WEDDING – Dir. Julian Doyle.  Producer: Bruce (Iron Maiden) Dickinson
• GHOSTS WITH SHIT JOBS – Dir. Jim Munro
• UPSIDE DOWN – Dir. Juan Solanas
• PRIMER – Dir. Shane Carruth (which the festival toured across the UK)
• UNCANNY – Dir. Matthew Leutwyler

We have also had some very well know faces at the festival and on our juries, these include:

• JOHN LANDIS
• WILLIAM HURT
• BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
• MICHEL GONDRY
• JOE DANTE
• GUILLERMO DEL TORO
• WARWICK DAVIS