As autumn leaves swirl through the streets of metro Atlanta, a different kind of cosmic storm is brewing just north of the city.
The Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival (ASCIFFF) returns this weekend, October 24-26, promising a whirlwind of interstellar storytelling, cutting-edge visuals, and live performances that will transport film buffs and genre enthusiasts to galaxies far, far away—all for free with registration.
The multi-weekend event is one of the best festivals in Atlanta.
Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Fest Weekend: Free Entry, Galactic Fun
Hosted by the Multicultural Sci-fi Organization and backed by the City of Peachtree Corners, the festival kicks off Friday evening at the bustling Peachtree Corners Town Center.
Attendees can expect a diverse slate of short and feature-length films hailing from Georgia’s backyard to the creative corners of Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond.
- Free entry: Registration is free for general access.
- Paid events: You will need to purchase tickets or a pass for specific items like individual film screenings (e.g., “Sat Block 1 – Sci-Fi Feature”) or “All Access” passes.
- Registration: You must register to access the free portions of the festival
This year’s lineup emphasizes emerging voices in Afrofuturism, cyberpunk, and speculative eco-fiction, with premieres that haven’t yet hit major streaming platforms or theaters.
The festival opens with a ticketed networking gala on Friday night, where filmmakers, producers, and fans mingle under the stars. Saturday and Sunday shift into high gear at the adjacent NCG Cinema at PTC Marketplace, featuring indoor screenings paired with outdoor pop-up events.
Highlights include live soundscape performances syncing with alien invasion flicks, cosplay contests inspired by classic Trek episodes, and panel discussions on AI’s role in Hollywood’s next big blockbusters.
All films are now screened in high-end DCP format for that crisp, theater-quality punch, a upgrade announced earlier this year to elevate the viewing experience.
What sets ASCIFFF apart in Atlanta’s packed convention calendar? Its laser focus on cinema over comics or cosplay—though there’s plenty of overlap for the uninitiated.
Unlike the sprawling Dragon Con, which wrapped up Labor Day weekend with its 80,000-strong horde of caped crusaders downtown, or the springtime Atlanta Sci-Fi & Fantasy Expo’s vendor-heavy vibe at Northlake Mall, this fest is intimate and accessible.
No badges required beyond a quick online signup, and with metro Atlanta’s tech-savvy crowd in mind, it’s designed for families, students, and casual stargazers alike.
Early buzz on social media is electric, with locals raving about last-minute additions like a midnight screening of a Georgia-shot indie thriller involving time-looping hackers.
“Finally, a sci-fi event that’s not buried under layers of merch booths,” tweeted one attendee from nearby Duluth.
Organizers are also waving submission fees for select filmmakers via Instagram giveaways—follow @AtlantaSci_fiFilmFestival for a shot at snagging one.
For those plotting their weekend itinerary, shuttle services from MARTA’s Doraville station will loop to the Town Center, easing parking woes amid the fall festival season.
Festival passes and individual screening tickets (for the gala and select blocks) are available now via the official site, with plenty of spots left as of Thursday evening.
Final Word
Whether you’re a die-hard Dune devotee or just curious about that viral short everyone’s talking about, the Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival offers a timely escape hatch from election-season headlines.
In a city that birthed OutKast’s cosmic anthems and Tyler Perry’s empire, it’s fitting that Atlanta leads the charge in redefining tomorrow’s silver screen.
Grab your metaphorical ray gun and head north—warp speed awaits. For more details, visit atlantascififilmfestival.com.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend!
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com: