26th Trieste Science+Fiction Festival: 60+ Premieres, Herzog, Repetto

Trieste Science+Fiction Festival Returns With Over 60 Premieres

The Trieste Science+Fiction Festival returns for its 26th edition from November 3 to 8, bringing international speculative cinema and more than 60 cinematic premieres to venues across the city. Organized by La Cappella Underground, the event showcases science fiction, horror, and fantasy productions through screenings, masterclasses, and literary presentations.

Venues for the six-day festival include the Politeama Rossetti for main competitions and out-of-competition screenings, the Cinema Ariston for shorts, documentaries, restored classics, and experimental works, and the Sci-Fi Dome in Piazza della Borsa for extra events. Meanwhile, Sala Xenia hosts genre literature, board games, and comic book programming.

Paolo Strippoli Leads Horror Masterclass and Asteroide Jury

Director Paolo Strippoli, whose film “L’estranea” was designated by Italy for the 2027 Academy Awards race, serves as the president of the international Asteroide Jury for emerging directors. Strippoli will also lead a free masterclass titled “Nuovi incubi italiani” on Sunday, November 8, at 5:00 PM at the Sci-Fi Dome.

Moderated by Simone Soranna of longtake in collaboration with the Casa del Cinema di Trieste, the session explores the subversive potential of horror cinema and its ability to challenge traditional storytelling conventions. The masterclass focuses on how the genre gives shape to contemporary anxieties.

Mauro Repetto Debuts Sci-Fi Thriller Election Day 2067

Mauro Repetto, co-founder and author of the 883, steps into science fiction literature with his debut novel “Election Day 2067,” published by Acheron. Repetto presents the book on Friday, November 6, at 6:30 PM at Sala Xenia.

Set in a post-cyberpunk Rome transformed into a global amusement park, the thriller examines a world where artificial intelligence generates reality simulations and historical figures are cloned for political manipulation. The plot follows a young performer named Monica who discovers she is the double of a virtual entity linked to one of the most powerful leaders on the planet. The narrative traces Monica’s involvement in a secret war alongside an artificial intelligence named D14na.

Werner Herzog Closes Festival With Bucking Fastard

Director Werner Herzog will close the 26th edition of the festival on Sunday, November 8, at the Politeama Rossetti following the 8:30 PM awards ceremony. Herzog presents his new feature “Bucking Fastard,” which pairs actors Kate Mara and Rooney Mara on screen for the first time.

Dedicated to David Lynch, the film draws inspiration from the true story of British twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, following two inseparable sisters. The closing feature anchors a lineup spanning six days of screenings and cultural events in Trieste.