At Fantasia Film Fest, the International Science Fiction Showcase 2026 edition shows why they are no strangers to exploring humanity’s relationship with the evolving world. It will be explored on July 19, at the Cinéma du Musée. During this presentation, presented are works from six countries with visioniaries who have tales to tell that examines humanity’s evolving relationship with technology.
From artificial intelligence to social media to virtual reality, these shorts examine the promises and pitfalls of innovation, offering glimpses into futures that may not be as distant as they seem. And perhaps those catching a look into a probable future may want to reconsider why that dystopia future isn’t that far off. Images are provided for those pieces that has my attention as must sees.
Algorithm
Evie (Leonie Federle) just broke up with her beau, and as a means to cope, she thinks confiding to an AI Algorithm, is a good idea. Not only is it a p0pular personal assistant, social media manager, and the voice of the smart home hub, but also it may be alive.
Well, that’s the idea. Howeverf, when that ex arrives to maybe mend fences, can Cora (Virginia Hartmann) deal with all the technology that’s around her? I won’t say if this work is one part horror and another part revenge fantasy, but it’ll have plenty of folks curious!
Echoes In Time
A scientist’s desperate attempt to alter the past forces her to confront the unforeseen consequences of changing history.
HappyDeal
When HappyDeal is the world’s biggest online retailer and a mega corporation, it can do things none of its competitors could ever dream of, including organizing a giant competition watched by nearly everyone. Here, contestants race against time for a chance to win housing and perhaps even a warehouse job with the company.
For Emma (Marie Kauffmann), a young mother living out of her car with her daughter, she may get her once chance to get out of the dregs. As for what the cost is, well, you just have to see this short film to find out!
Horse Fly
A stranded traveller’s encounter with an unusual insect leads to an unexpected first contact with something far beyond Earth.
Idyll
If this work is not a nod to Meta, then I’m a clucking duck living in space. That’s because the concept feels too close to home. Here, “Our Girl” (played by Mina Sundwall, Lost in Space) finds life in virtual reality safe. It lets her live through a lens, and in what a popular influencer (Rene Herbert, Witchboard) sees.
But when one girl’s reality begins to blur, and addiction becomes real, perhaps what’s offered here will be a wake up call to finally smell the roses.
Noise of Waves
A mysterious signal emerging from the sea draws its discoverers toward a profound encounter with the unknown.
Soulmate
Jalt (Hampus Egelund) thinks he can make a robot who can cure the blues. And when Selina (Ann Celina Fønsskov), an AI avatar, believes she’s alive, and is capable of love, just what’s true depends on what a human sees. According to Fantasia Film Festival’s Programmer, Mitch Davis, he wrote, “It’s a brilliantly executed tale of self-discovery through artificial intimacy and organic alienation from Danish filmmaker Jens-Julius Gunderlund Dal.”
