Innovation-Driven, Nurturing “New Stars”
Third Sci-Fi Planet Competition Opens for Entries
At the beginning of the new year, the Third Sci-Fi Planet Competition, a high-prize international comprehensive science fiction competition independently created by China, has officially opened for entries.
As a key segment of the 9th China Science Fiction Conference in 2025, this year’s competition includes three main categories—Sci-Fi Technology, Sci-Fi Literature, and Sci-Fi IP—across nine subcategories. These include Sci-Fi Innovation Technology, Sci-Fi Experience Technology, Sci-Fi Product Innovation, Sci-Fi Novels (Long, Medium, and Short), Sci-Fi Film and Television Works, and new areas such as Sci-Fi Games and Sci-Fi Scenarios. Additionally, the competition has launched the “Sci-Fi New Talent Support Program” this year, focusing on discovering emerging talents and new works in sci-fi literature and visual projects.
The entry period for the competition is open until February 7. A total of nine champions and five nurtured talents will be selected, with a prize pool totaling 6.65 million yuan (approximately $1 million USD), and individual prizes reaching up to 1 million yuan.
The Sci-Fi Planet Competition was officially launched at the 2021 China Science Fiction Conference, initiated by Wang Jinkang, Liu Cixin, Wu Yan, and Guo Fan. As a core component of the China Science Fiction Conference, it serves as a multidisciplinary and cross-industry platform promoting tight collaboration and synergistic progress across related fields, generating significant clustering effects and innovation momentum.
For the first time, this year’s competition is focusing on unpublished sci-fi literary works and scripts, including online feature films, micro-dramas, short films, and other visual projects. Through a systematic evaluation process, it aims to uncover original and promising sci-fi content, providing a platform for emerging creative ideas, contributing to the growth of the sci-fi ecosystem.
Additionally, the competition expands its scope to include sci-fi games and scenarios, breaking traditional boundaries of sci-fi creation. By extending formats from literature and film to gaming and immersive environments, it fosters cross-sector collaboration and innovation, injects vitality into the diversification of the sci-fi industry, enhances its socio-cultural impact, and aligns with trends in cultural consumption and technological advancement. This pushes the sci-fi industry into a new phase of development.
The Third Sci-Fi Planet Competition accepts applications through self-registration. Interested participants can apply via the “科幻星球大赛” official WeChat account or the official website (www.sfpaward.com). After the application period ends, the judging panel will independently conduct evaluations, with the winners announced at the opening ceremony of the 9th China Science Fiction Conference in 2025.
