Science fiction festivals in France explore future technologies and imaginaries

Two science fiction festivals in France are utilizing speculative narratives to explore future societal and technological developments.

The Festival Panorama, held in Toulon from November 6 to 8, focuses on the imaginaries of the future. The third edition features a diverse program including literature, comics, virtual reality, and immersive experiences designed to meet the cultural interests of local youth. Highlights include works by authors such as Alain Damasio and Catherine Dufour, alongside virtual reality installations by Arte and Femmes Fatales Studio.

In Nantes, the Utopiales international science fiction festival recently hosted discussions on sustainable maritime transport. A roundtable session explored the decarbonization of mega-ships, debating whether hydrogen, wind, or nuclear energy will power the future of global freight. Research engineer Aurélien Babarit contributed to the discussion, presenting perspectives on wind-based propulsion systems and marine renewable energy technologies.