WELCOME TO SCHENECTADY
It all begins with an idea.
Schenectady County invites attendees to experience cinema at the intersection of Science and Science Fiction at our inaugural Sci:Fi Schenectady Film Fest.
Why science and sci-fi together? We are Schenectady, The Electric City, the home of General Electric and it’s storied history of pioneering electronic tech. We are also the birthplace of over- the-air broadcast television, with the first dramatic televised “The Queen’s Messenger” broadcast in 1928. Also, Schenectady can boast of being the home of the first regularly scheduled TV programming and news broadcasts by WRGB, the oldest continually operating TV station in the world. Really.
Schenectady is synonymous with some of the greatest scientists of all time, then and now. Innovation is in our blood! For those who love to celebrate fringe cinema, genre classics, cult favorites and out of the ordinary celluloid events, the very popular cinema series It Came From Schenectady has been drawing fans since 2008 from the GE Theatre at Proctors.
From its inception, the film industry and the world’s viewing public have embraced the wondrous genre of Science Fiction. From Georges Méliès “Trip to the Moon” and Fritz Lang’s “Woman in the Moon” to Victor Danell’s “Watch the Skies” and Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17”, Science Fiction captures our imaginations and encourages us to dream of science yet to come. And, just as science fiction cinema predicted, human genes are being edited, humanoid robots are available for the price of a family sedan, and the discovery of exoplanets hint at the fact that we are truly not alone.
Film Schenectady, in collaboration with Discover Schenectady, welcome you to enjoy a weekend of great cinema, events and parties!
At your service...
FILM SCHENECTADY facilitates productions of all shapes and sizes. HBOmax, Amazon Prime, Showtime, Hallmark, Discovery - studio large to indie small – have found their scenes in Schenectady County. Schenectady is also the home of Armory Studios NY, the Capital Region’s largest qualified soundstage, where productions may qualify for the 40% New York State Film Tax Credit. DISCOVER SCHENECTADY is the non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring visitors to experience and enjoy all that Schenectady County has to offer, from its vibrant downtown, historic sites, gorgeous waterfront and outdoor activities, to its culturally diverse neighborhoods with dining for all tastes, shopping and entertainment. Schenectady County is the ideal destination for travel, tourism, conventions, sports, and exceptional year-round filming.
Let Schenectady Surprise You!