by InTrieste
As Trieste brings its week-long celebration of science fiction and speculative storytelling to a close, the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival promises a memorable final day filled with world premieres, thought-provoking panels, and a cutting-edge audio adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984.
Sunday’s lineup features a mix of iconic classics, avant-garde animations, and thrilling action-adventures, underscoring the festival’s commitment to showcasing the best of the genre. First up is a screening of the timeless 1954 film Them!(originally titled Assalto alla Terra in Italy), which unflinchingly imagines a horrifying invasion of giant, radiation-mutated ants. This black-and-white classic, directed by Gordon Douglas, still holds audiences in thrall with its documentary-like realism and social commentary on nuclear fear.
Later in the afternoon, the festival will present Flow, a tender and visually arresting animated film by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis. Set in a world submerged by water, Flow follows a solitary cat who finds solace aboard a boat shared with other animals. This haunting story, rendered through exquisite animation, paints a poignant portrait of survival and companionship in an unrecognizably desolate world.
For fans of futuristic action, the European premiere of Heavens: The Boy and His Robot by Singaporean director Rich Ho promises a kinetic mix of high-stakes adventure and emotional depth. The film, centering on the relationship between a young, troubled pilot and his combat robot, explores themes of loyalty, identity, and peace against the backdrop of an interstellar conflict.
Equally captivating is The Truth on Sendai City, a world premiere from Italian artist and director Marco Bolognesi. This experimental film blends analog and digital animation techniques, using cult genre references to create a sci-fi narrative set in the fictional metropolis of Sendai, ruled by an omnipotent “Great Brain.” Bolognesi’s work reflects an innovative reimagining of dystopian themes, as rebellious mutants grapple with an authoritarian power.
Orwell’s 1984 Brought to Life in New Audible Series
One of the day’s most anticipated events is the exclusive preview of 1984, an Audible Original audio adaptation of George Orwell’s groundbreaking novel. Produced in collaboration with the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, the series features acclaimed actors Eduardo Scarpetta and Rosa Diletta Rossi, who will join festival attendees for a live discussion of the adaptation. Audible, Amazon’s leading audio entertainment platform, presents this rendition as a timely reflection on surveillance, control, and autonomy in modern society. The event takes place at 4:00 p.m. in the Sci-Fi Dome at Piazza della Borsa.
Exploring Sci-Fi Literature’s New Horizons
The festival also marks the inaugural presentation of the Mondofuturo Literary Award, honoring Italy’s best original sci-fi book published in 2023. This award, developed in partnership with Area Science Park and La Cappella Underground, reflects the growing intersection of science fiction with real-world scientific innovation. Authors of the three shortlisted novels—Prigionieri dell’effimero by Nino Martino, Il Dio elettrico by Federico Tamanini, and Il viaggio della Electra Persei by Piero Schiavo Campo—will gather at the Sci-Fi Dome for an award ceremony hosted by Radio Rai2 journalist Natascha Lusenti. With illustrations from Italian artist Dottor Pira, the ceremony highlights science fiction’s cultural role as a catalyst for scientific and technological curiosity.
Cyberpunk: Reflecting on 40 Years and Looking Forward
A special morning panel, 40 Years of Cyberpunk: What’s Next?, brings celebrated sci-fi writer Bruce Sterling to the stage. One of cyberpunk’s founding fathers, Sterling will explore the genre’s past, its influence on contemporary technology and politics, and where it may be headed next. This conversation offers a unique chance to examine how cyberpunk’s core themes—cyberspace, societal control, and artificial intelligence—are now woven into the fabric of real-world issues.
Concluding with Awards and a Dystopian Romance
The day concludes at Politeama Rossetti with the festival’s official awards ceremony, followed by the Italian premiere of Nacho Vigalondo’s Daniela Forever. This Spanish film tells the story of a man processing grief through an experimental lucid-dream treatment, delving into themes of love and memory in a reality-bending narrative.
From world premieres to explorations of literature and film, this year’s Trieste Science+Fiction Festival has celebrated the boundary-pushing creativity of science fiction and its power to illuminate universal truths. As attendees bid farewell to this year’s festival, they carry with them reflections on worlds both real and imagined—a fitting tribute to the enduring impact of science fiction on the human imagination.
