TRIESTE SCIENCE+FICTION FESTIVAL
A HIDDEN GEM FOR SCI-FI LOVERS
If you’re a fan of speculative storytelling, Trieste’s Science+Fiction Festival (late October) is a hidden treasure. With international recognition and a quirky edge, this festival offers sci-fi, fantasy, horror, VR experiences, workshops; whole worlds await.
Core Program
• Film Competition: sci-fi, visionary futures, dystopias
• Retrospectives: classic and cult films, often with restored prints
• VR & Digital Lab: VR performances, gaming, future tech installations
• Literary Events: writers’ panels, book launches in surprising venues
Festival Venues & Atmosphere
• Venues: Cinema Miela, Sala Tripcovich, urban sites turned sci-fi spaces
• Atmosphere: energetic, cozy, surreal. Guests often pop up dressed as characters
• Tickets: affordable (~€5–8 per show) or festival passes with perks
Why Visit?
• Discover rare visions of the future, European auteurs, and experiential events
• Network with legend sci-fi authors and directors in intimate settings
• Dive into immersive VR and tech workshops with students from nearby science institutes
Visitor Tips
• Reserve VIP seats for VR shows, they sell out fast
• Check daytime panels, screen breaks are popular with locals
• Bring headphones if you plan several VR experiences
For anyone who cherishes speculative art, the Science+Fiction Festival in Trieste is a small-scale wonder: bold narratives, immersive encounters, and intimate settings make for an unforgettable blend of cinema, tech, and culture. Plan your October around this creative collision; Trieste will surprise and expand your imagination.
You might also be interested in Trieste Film Festival: A Guide for Visitors.