Worldcon
From Freepedia
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is the longest running science fiction convention, having been held from 1939 to 1941 and, after the interruption of World War II, every year since 1946.
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Site selection
Most Worldcons are held in North America, although they have taken place in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. The 2005 Worldcon was held in Glasgow, and the 2007 Worldcon will be the first to be held in Japan. When a convention is held outside of North America, a mirror convention is held within North America that same year, called the North American Science Fiction Convention or NASFiC.
The name Worldcon is owned by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), whose membership are the paying attendees of the convention. The conventions themselves are typically run by local fan organizations who bid to host the event. Since 1975, the WSFS has administered a parallel bidding process for NASFiC scheduling, which is voted on by Worldcon membership, two years in advance.
For over 20 years, bids were voted on three years in advance by the Worldcon membership with the 2007 Yokohama Worldcon bid being selected at the 2004 Worldcon in Boston. Since 2004, the rules were amended to return to the earlier practice of selecting the site two years in advance.
Hugo awards
Members of Worldcon (attending or not) vote on speculative fiction works from the previous year. Winning works receive the Hugo Award. Primary categories include novels and short stories, but the awards are not limited to written works as the Hugos include artwork, performance and various fandom activities.
Worldcon activities
Typical activities and events at Worldcon include (but are not limited to):
- Panels - Technology of the future, writing, publishing, the philosophical and sociological implications of the genre's works, recent scientific discoveries, etc.
- Speeches or other presentations by the guests of honor
- Parties
- Gaming - role-playing games (live-action and table), board games, card games
- Filk music
- Costuming - both formal competition, and casual Hall costumes
- Hugo award presentation
- Dealers' room - there is generally a large hall full of people selling books, movies, jewellery, costumes (often including weapons), games, comic books, etc.
- Art show, presenting paintings, drawings, sculpture and other work, primarily on science fiction and fantasy themes
- Live performances (Klingon opera, productions of Rossum's Universal Robots, etc.)
- Voting on the location of future Worldcons
- Watching science fiction movies, television shows, etc.
- Meetings regarding other WSFS business
See also
External links
- www.wsfs.org – More source info and Hugo Award winners
