The Utopia Tel Aviv Film Festival, scheduled for Sept. 3-12, might be canceled this year. In an effort to save the festival devoted to science fiction and science films, some 200 film, science fiction and technology enthusiasts came together June 22 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The festival founder, Uri Aviv, told Al-Monitor, "I have a high standard for what I would consider success, and usually, unless there are at least 2,000 people outside the doors, clamoring to get in, it isn't enough for me." Nonetheless, Aviv concedes that overall, it was a successful event that "charged people with positive energies." Despite the very existence of the festival being threatened because it has not received the public funds it needs for its production, Aviv is confident that the event will eventually take place. (The Ministry of Culture reportedly claimed that it is currently inspecting the management of the festival.)

The Utopia Film Festival was first held in 2005, and it has been attracting 10,000-15,000 visitors each year. About 100 films from around the world are generally screened, 30-40 of which are full-length feature films and the rest short films. Roughly 40 films are produced in Israel. At the same time, the festival covers a range of other areas and activities that give expression to the passion for technology and science, including lectures, computer games, literature, design and comics.

This was also reflected in the emergency event called in support of the festival, where along with the screening of the "Ex Machina" science fiction thriller, the organizers offered participants the opportunity to experience virtual reality — which was, surprisingly, quite an enjoyable experience — as well as digital games. Attendees with an interest in more intellectual debates were offered a number of lectures and discussions on questions such as, "Are zombies dreaming about digital vampires?" or "How can lawyers be replaced with robots?"

As expected, the event was attended by the hard-core fans of science fiction in Israel. However, they, too, admit that they are primarily interested in the films, and less so in the other cultural expressions of the genre. Lior Zalmanson, one of the event's visitors who explores digital culture, explained why fans of the genre are spending less time nowadays reading science fiction literature. He said, "The stigma that it's only for nerds is associated primarily with science fiction literature, certainly more so than with science fiction films. When you go to the cinema today, you expect a larger-than-life experience, packed with effects, music, a show and action. Science fiction is most suitable for the cinematic medium, and it catches on even with the general, mainstream public."