The literary debate on the question why the genre of science fiction has failed to gain a foothold in the Israeli cultural scene goes quite far back. Every few years, an article in that vein is published in the Israeli press, the bottom line invariably being that we are undergoing a process of change, and that the interest in the genre is growing.

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."

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?"

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.

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.)

Aviv admits that there is a paradox in the Israeli society. "We are a 'startup nation' — we develop robots and drones, and the Iron Dome [air defense system]. However, all this has nothing to do with classic science fiction works, which deal with science and technology, and with the way they [impact and] change society. There is a gap between the technology arena and the cultural scene, which is a shame. After all, there is ample room here for criticism, and there are some most complex questions to tackle that call for highly creative people with an understanding of the human mind."

Aviv identifies two areas in the local activity of the genre: dystopia and apocalypse. That is, when Israeli artists deal with science fiction, it is to convey the message that we are facing destruction. One example of this is the film noir "Phobidilia," which is based on a novel by the same name that is a futuristic psychological drama whose protagonist creates an alternative identity in the virtual world. Doron Paz, who wrote the script and directed the film along with his brother Yoav, told Al-Monitor, "In this case too, there was a deep gap between the critical acclaim the film received — and it was indeed highly praised by the critics and screened at major international festivals — and its [lack of] commercial success in Israel. Only a few watched the film here." This happened even though Ofer Shechter, who was a well-known actor in Israel at the time, starred in the film.

Paz added, "I have no psychological or anthropological explanation. It's a matter of roots — the genre has failed to put down roots here. Still, it begins to make inroads. There is a new generation that experiences gaming and the Internet as an inseparable part of its cultural world, a generation for whom science fiction is more understandable and needed."

An anthropological and psychological explanation is offered by Noa Manheim, a science fiction enthusiast who heads the original literature department at the Kinneret Zmora-Bitan Dvir publishing house. She told Al-Monitor, "Science fiction in the 20th and 21st centuries comes mainly from the United States, which has a vision and a view toward the future. We in Israel are a state founded on a utopian vision. However, in the time that passed since, our vision of the future — when we take the time to look at it — has become very bleak. It's something that apparently we would rather not see." Manheim cites a number of prominent Israeli authors, among them Shimon Adaf and Assaf Gavron, who incorporated such themes in their writing, although their work includes no classic science fiction novel of the kind written by Isaac Asimov.

The Israeli public — whether it's books, movies or TV series that are under discussion — is still addicted to realistic local human dramas. Nevertheless, those involved in the local science fiction scene are confident that a change is about to happen. Paz argues that the future of Israel's futuristic cinema is bound to improve. "The film industry is getting younger, and there are more and more independent young artists who deal with contemporary topics, rather than with some family from the periphery that is coming apart," he said.

For her part, Manheim said, "The science fiction book that would make a breakthrough and capture the imagination of the general public here has not yet been written. There is a small readership, and it would rather agonize under the yoke of realism. I believe that things are going to change and that people like us, who grew up with the genre and read science fiction in their childhood and youth, seek — now that they are adults — to edit and publish those books, and to write such books themselves. I believe that we are undergoing a significant change."