G-Fest

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G-FEST often typeset as G-FEST, is an annual convention devoted to Godzilla film franchise and other kaijū (literally giant monster, it is also the name of the genre of japanese giant monter movies) franchises such as Ultraman (a T.V. show) and Gamera (a Japanese giant monster movie series about a giant mutated flying turtle). G-FEST is staged by Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd., and G-FAN magazine. It regularly features panels, contests, and theatrically screened films of interest to fans of Japanese monsters. G-FEST is presently held in Rosemont, Illinois, at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare. The last convention took place July 12–14, 2013.

Actors, directors, special effects technicians, and other famous people who worked on Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera, and other kaiju movies in Japan are frequent guests at G-FEST. Often, the major guest is honored with the coveted "Mangled Skyscraper Award" for their lasting contributions to the kaiju genre.

A popular aspect of G-FEST is the Dealers Room, where dealers sell action figures (kaiju action figures are huge collectors items among fans of the genre. There is even a section of youtube devoted to kaiju figure reviews.), DVDs, posters, etc. There is also a Costume Parade where participants of all ages make and model their monster character costumes. Also, there is a Model Show and Competition, and a fan film competition, where kaiju fans can submit their fan films. Other popular activities are gaming, a video game tournament, children's activities, and autograph sessions. Recently, a tokusatsu (spfx) thread has been added, where participants make kaiju videos that often end up on YouTube. G-FEST also raises money for charitable causes.

G-FEST was founded by J. D. Lees publisher of G-FAN magazine and the G-Fan website, a Canadian high school teacher, and the late John Rocco Roberto. Persons assisting Lees in organizing G-FEST over the years have included Jeff Horne, Brett Homenick, Stan Hyde, Dawn McKechnie, Yutaka Ichimura, Paul Gavins, Randy Geisey, Lenell Bridges, David Nunes, and others. Actor Robert Scott Field regularly attends G-FEST as a celebrity guest and translator.

G-FEST (Friends of G-Fan) '94

  • First public meeting of contributors to G-Fan* Howard Johnson Hotel, O'Hare Airport, Illinois

G-FEST (G-Con) '95

  • Date: August 18–20, 1995[1]
  • First organized convention.[2] The first two days were closed to the public until news reports spread then was open to the public on the last day (3rd)
  • Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

G-FEST (G-Con) '96

G-FEST (G-Con) '97

G-FEST '98

  • Guests: William Stout, Mike Fredericks, Yoshikazu Ishii, Gene Rizzardi
  • Wyndham Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

G-FEST '99

  • Date: July 23–25, 1999
  • Guests: Noriaki Yuasa, Shusuke Kaneko, Wataru Mimura, Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Robert Scott Field, Volker Engel, Forrest J. Ackerman, Peter Fernandez, Corrine Orr, Hisataka Kitaoka (now Ryuki Kitaoka), Norman England, August Ragone, Don Glut
  • Movies: Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris (US Premiere), Ultraman Gaia: The Battle in Hyperspace (US Premiere)
  • Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Forrest J. Ackerman
  • Burbank Hilton, Burbank, California

G-FEST 2000

G-FEST '01

G-FEST '02

G-FEST X

G-FEST XI

G-FEST XII

G-FEST XIII

G-FEST XIV

G-FEST XV

G-FEST XVI

G-FEST XVII

G-FEST XVIII

  • Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Shinji Higuchi
  • Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

G-FEST XIX

G-FEST XX

Notes

  1. ↑ "G-Con '95 Report". G-Fan. Volume 1, Number 18, (November–December 1995). pp. 54-61.
  2. ↑ Ryfle, Steve. (1995-08-17). "Godzilla Lives! At 41, the Giant Radioactive Dinosaur is Still Big Business". Chicago Tribune.

External links

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