by Guisela Chiarella
Italy’s most prominent science fiction event, the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, returns for its 24th edition, captivating audiences from October 31 through November 5 with a lineup of international premieres and an exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the arts. This year’s festival is hosted at Teatro Rossetti and Teatro Miela, two iconic venues in Trieste, and features over 50 global film premieres, live discussions, and competitive entries showcasing the latest in sci-fi cinema.
The festival, organized by La Cappella Underground, has become a pilgrimage site for science fiction aficionados, attracting directors, actors, and writers from around the world. AI takes center stage this year, symbolized in the official poster created by Italian cartoonist Zero Calcare. Massimiliano Maltoni, the festival’s programming director, notes that the design “embodies the fine line between human creativity and machine learning, themes that resonate with many of this year’s films.”
In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, Festival Director Alan Jones shared insights into the selection process and his vision for the festival’s role in a world increasingly shaped by AI. “Our goal is not just to entertain but to provoke thought on how technology and science fiction influence our understanding of the future. This year’s lineup reflects that ambition,” Jones explained.
The schedule includes a special screening of The NeverEnding Story, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a showing at 4 PM on Friday, November 1, at Teatro Miela. The beloved fantasy classic offers a nostalgic counterpoint to newer, tech-focused films, inviting viewers to consider how tales of imagination evolve over time.
With three prestigious competitions—Science+Fiction, European Fantastic Shorts, and the Méliès d’Argent—the festival underscores the breadth of modern science fiction, from dystopian narratives to speculative futures driven by AI.
