Authors from 26 Countries Enter ‘Future History’ International Literary Award

"The geographical spread underscored the growing international interest in contemporary science fiction and the award’s objective of creating a platform for dialogue on humanity’s shared future." Organizers reveal.

“It is particularly important to us that ‘Future History’ is becoming a platform for international dialogue.” Elena Mironenko, General Director of the Atom Foundation.

Works by authors from 30 countries, including Nigeria, have been nominated for the second season of the international science fiction literary award, “Future History.”

A total of 1,059 short stories were accepted for the competition, with entries reflecting diverse perspectives on the future of technology, science, society and humanity.

The nominated works came from Russia, Uganda, Burundi, Brazil, Zambia, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Italy, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, China, Israel, Belarus, El Salvador, Egypt and Jordan.

The geographical spread, organisers said, underscored the growing international interest in contemporary science fiction and the award’s objective of creating a platform for dialogue on humanity’s shared future.

Elena Mironenko, General Director of the Atom Foundation, said the international participation demonstrated that interest in science fiction as a means of exploring and shaping the future was universal.

“It is particularly important to us that ‘Future History’ is becoming a platform for international dialogue,” she said.

Mironenko said authors from different parts of the world were seeking answers to questions about humanity’s shared future and the roles science and technology would play in it.

She added that, together with writers, Rosatom was helping to “map out this future,” describing the development of the award as one of its important outcomes.

New screenplay category

The second season has also expanded the competition beyond short stories with the introduction of a new category, “Best Screenplay Pitch.”

The category, established in partnership with the Autonomous Nonprofit Organisation “Author,” is aimed at identifying original science fiction concepts with potential for adaptation into feature films, television series and animated productions.

Organisers said the new category represents an expansion of the award’s focus from discovering literary voices to supporting stories and fictional universes capable of moving from the written page to the screen.

The entries will be assessed by a jury comprising representatives from literature, science, film, media and the expert community.

The jury will be chaired by science fiction writer Sergei Lukyanenko. Other members include science fiction writer Roman Zlotnikov; writer, screenwriter and science journalist Anton Pervushin; screenwriter, producer and director Andrei Zolotarev; Director General of the VCIOM Analytical Center Valery Fedorov; and Head of Science Fiction Publishing at Eksmo, Vyacheslav Bakulin.

Also on the panel are Editor-in-Chief of the Autonomous Nonprofit Organisation “Author” and Kinoscenario Magazine, Alexander Dyakov; Vice Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop and Head of the New Media Workshop, Mikhail Kanavtsev; and Taras Varkhotov, Associate Professor, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences and Acting Head of the Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Faculty of Philosophy, Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The next stage is the selection of the longlists in October, followed by the shortlists in November. The shortlisted works will subsequently be submitted to the jury for final consideration.

The “Future History” International Literary Award was established by the Atom Foundation for the Development of Scientific, Educational, and Communication Initiatives under the auspices of Rosatom State Corporation.

The award seeks to promote contemporary science fiction, showcase advances in science and technology, strengthen international ties and foster a community of authors creating constructive visions of the future.