This is the 15th edition of the fest presented by SIFF in partnership with the Museum of Pop Culture, with 20 “illuminating and unconventional” animated and live-action science fiction, fantasy, and horror-tinged short films from around the globe shown in two separate sessions (240 minutes each). That requires some dedication, but the lineup of short, theoretically to-the-point films looks strong, touching on anything from a stop-motion claymation mockumentary about a friendly people-eating siren (Kim), to a story of duty-versus-desire as told from the perspective of a service robot at a gas station (Big Boom), to a rumination on healthcare via the sacrifice a woman must make for her dying partner to be treated with a new medical procedure (The Original). A Q&A and awards ceremony follows the second session. LEILANI POLK

Postponement notice: "The health and safety of our visitors, our staff, and the community of artists we work with is our utmost priority. MoPOP and SIFF are continuing to monitor news about the COVID-19 virus and we are in contact with local and state health officials as well as with our partner organizations. At this time, we are postponing the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival 2020. Tickets will be honored for the rescheduled event. We appreciate your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience."

August 1, 2020—SFFSFF Screening @ SIFF Cinema Egyptian

August 2, 2020—SFFSFF Encore Screening @ SIFF Cinema Uptown

A note on format from the organizers: “10 short films will screen in the first session followed by 10 short films in the second session. An awards ceremony will follow the second session, and all filmmakers are invited to a post-festival reception with jurors, MoPOP and SIFF supporters, and members of the Seattle film and sci-fi/fantasy communities.”