The Dubai Future Forum returns with the third edition of its Sci-Fi Short Story Competition – inviting bold thinkers and imaginative writers to explore the possibilities of tomorrow.

Science fiction is more than storytelling. It is a tool for imagining what does not yet exist, for questioning what we take for granted, and for expanding the boundaries of what we believe is possible. The futures we imagine shape the futures we allow – and ultimately, the ones we create.

This year expands how stories can be created. For the first time, you can write solo or collaborate with a partner, opening the door to co-created narratives. You can also choose between two distinct creation pathways – Human-Led or Fully Human – each offering a different approach to the creative process. To explore these pathways in more detail, visit the Icons for Human-Machine Collaboration (HMC) page.

Each story will be shaped by a shared spark. Participants are invited to choose one of three provided one-liners and weave it into their narrative – at the beginning, middle, or end – using it as a catalyst for their vision of the future.

Open to participants from around the world, the competition welcomes a wide spectrum of voices, perspectives, and imaginations.