The Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, Italy’s premier science fiction event, is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary from October 28 through November 2 in the capital of the Julian region: an unmissable edition packed with events dedicated to the infinite variations of the fantasy genre.
The official poster for the 25th edition of the festival was created by a leading figure in the comic book world: Sara Pichelli, a multi-award-winning contributor to Marvel and co-creator of Miles Morales, the new Spider-Man who stars in the acclaimed film “ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, which won the Oscar© for Best Animated Feature. Her work also includes the comic book miniseries “ Spider-Man: Bloodline,” written by American director J.J. Abrams and his son Henry, and he worked on the launch of the new solo series “Scarlet Witch” written by the talented Steve Orlando.
The poster for the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival 2025 is a powerful visual manifesto that pays tribute to the imaginative power of human beings. At the center is a female figure whose face conveys both anger and vulnerability. The flower clasped in her hands represents a gesture of resistance and delicacy, an emblem of a humanity that, though wounded, refuses to be dehumanized. The work is a cry for authenticity in an age of artificial intelligence and fluid identities: a sincere invitation not to succumb to depersonalization, to rediscover the human voice as the last bastion of imagination and resistance.
“When I was asked to illustrate my concept of science fiction, I knew I would depict a human figure” – explains the comic book artist Sara Pichelli – “I wanted to pay tribute to humanity’s power of imagination—the ability to create marvelous characters and worlds that, at the same time, impact reality, inspiring our lives and our desires. When I began working on the piece, however, what emerged was anything but celebratory. The female figure that was slowly taking shape was frightened, furious, and trapped, ready to free herself from her own body, which had become inhospitable. In some way, my subconscious was expressing the need to regain control. Now more than ever, as AI has entered our daily lives and artistic expression, we must acknowledge the struggle to remain authentic, true to ourselves, and therefore human. The flower in the woman’s hands is a reminder of the fragility and delicacy that are inseparable from the human experience. I would say that the poster is a wish for us to reclaim our voice—the only one capable of destroying, creating, and whispering what has not yet even been imagined.”
To mark its 25th anniversary the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival is preparing for a special edition, bringing the best of international science fiction to the big screen for the first time, along with a packed schedule of events spanning film, literature, exhibitions, video games, and new technologies—as always, striking a perfect balance between science and science fiction.
“ “There’s something truly special about getting together to watch the latest—and soon-to-be-legendary—science fiction films,” said Festival Artistic Director Alan Jones – “ The bond between audiences and filmmakers, the shared anticipation of what will appear on the big screen, the passionate discussions over a “capo in b”—the traditional Trieste coffee—about what constitutes a masterpiece and what doesn’t, the debates over which film will become a cult classic and which was so bad it’s fantastic. All of this is part of the unique experience of the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, a close encounter (of every kind) loved by so many, which has propelled this leading Italian event onto the international stage. The festival team has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to curate an unforgettable program for a very special reason: our 25th anniversary! Twenty-five years of curating the best of science fiction for our loyal and discerning audience, which grows larger with every edition. The Trieste Science+Fiction Festival remains the only film event in the world entirely dedicated to fans of the genre, and we take our role very seriously: to always bring you surprising new voices, innovative programming, and bold choices. So this year, expect the unexpected: must-see blockbusters, eccentric indie films, thought-provoking documentaries, unusual classics, and world-class celebrity guests to celebrate 25 epic years.”
A wealth of events and film premieres are on the schedule for the 25th edition, bringing to the screens of the Politeama Rossetti and Teatro Miela the best in global science fiction productions. Once again this year, the spectacular Sci-Fi Dome will be set up in Piazza della Borsa, a specially designed structure that will host the festival’s additional events, including the sessions dedicated to the intersection of science and science fiction organized by Mondofuturo, a series of talks to engage with science communicators and popularizers about the world of tomorrow, the IVIPRO DAYS, the annual event dedicated to video games as a resource for showcasing the local area and cultural heritage, and the Fantastic Film Forum, a series of events dedicated to professionals in the film and audiovisual industries. The Mondofuturo Literary Award—an award for the best original science fiction book published in Italy in 2024—returns for its second edition, sponsored by the national research organization Area Science Park and the “La Cappella Underground” Center for Cinematic and Audiovisual Research and Experimentation.
