13 female writers from five countries pen sci-fi for Chinese New Year

Thirteen female writers from five countries are contributing themed original sci-fi stories for the 2026 Science Fiction New Year Gala, in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Horse, the organizers announced on Wednesday.

A poster for the 2026 Science Fiction New Year Gala. [Image courtesy of the Future Affairs Administration]

The Science Fiction New Year Gala was launched in 2016 by the Future Affairs Administration. The organization is dedicated to producing and promoting sci-fi works and supporting new sci-fi writers in China. The gala is held annually before the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. In the timeframe of ten years it has become a prominent platform for global sci-fi writers to publish themed stories. The event also publishes themed podcasts and organizes celebratory activities for fans during the holiday period.

This year's sci-fi gala will launch on Feb. 9 with a podcast focused on Christophe Gans' sci-fi horror film "Return to Silent Hill." From Feb. 11 to Feb. 23, 13 sci-fi stories themed around "running" will be released on different online platforms.

The horse is a culturally iconic animal in many classic Chinese stories, but the staff at the Future Affairs Administration sought a theme that moved beyond traditional interpretations. They ultimately captured a core characteristic of the horse, its essence of "running," and made it the central theme for the gala.

This year, the gala has introduced three major innovations. The first is an all-female lineup of sci-fi writers. The second is the launch of a dedicated print publication. The third is holding an inaugural in-person gathering.

The literary gala will feature 13 leading female writers from China, Australia, South Korea, Canada and Japan. They will present 13 stories centered on "women and the horse," in which the horse often serves not as a literal animal, but also as a symbol for the overarching theme of the gala through the spirit of running.

The writer lineup includes Chinese authors Zhou Wen, Su Wanwen, Li Xia, Cheng Jingbo, Tan Que, Wang Kanyu, and Yuzhou Maojin. The international participants include South Korean sci-fi writers Kim Bo-young and Cheon Seonran, Japanese authors Tachihara Toya and Yuki Shasendo. Also joining are Australian sci-fi writer Samantha Murray and Canadian sci-fi writer Kelly Robson.

The organizers stated that after a decade of exploring grand, epic themes, the Science Fiction New Year Gala is undergoing a shift. In an age dominated by AI, the focus is turning to the individual and the concrete details of human life that define us. Now, it aims to move closer to individuals, documenting the specific choices and experiences that reveal what it means to be human: our limits, our potential, our fragility, and our strength.

This sci-fi gala is jointly presented by the Future Affairs Administration and the literary magazine "Foreign Literature and Art." In early April, the magazine will release a special print issue containing all works from this year's gala, including short stories, poems, and critical essays.

The event will also release two extended episodes totaling 4 hours. The Feb. 9 episode on "Silent Hill" focuses on a brave woman running. The Feb. 14 year-in-review special covers the Future Affairs Administration's yearly work, which shares inspiring media, and gives behind-the-scenes insights into the gala.

On March 8, the Future Affairs Administration will partner with the United Nations Development Programme for a special in-person event titled "My 2060: Making a Sustainable Future Happen." This will be the finale of the Science Fiction New Year Gala. Coinciding with International Women's Day, the gathering will center on diverse female voices from fields like aerospace, architecture and film to broaden the conversation about what constitutes a desirable future. The event will be live-streamed.