Octocon

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Octocon
Genre Science fiction, fantasy
Venue Camden Court Hotel
Location(s) Dublin, Co Dublin
Country Ireland
Website
http://www.octocon.com/

Octocon is the name given to the National Irish Science Fiction and fantasy Convention, held (almost) annually in October. It will not be held in 2014 when Ireland hosts Eurocon. The next Irish Eurocon is Shamrokon, to be held in August in Dublin.[1]

History

1989/1990: The convention was initiated by members of the Irish Science Fiction Association, and named by artist Peter McCanney, who created the convention's first logo.

1995: Advertised Guest of Honour Mary Gentle had to cancel her appearance at the last minute, leading to the appointment of Kim Newman in her place.

1997: This was also the year's official Eurocon, and consequently the largest Octocon to date.

1998: The only one-day Octocon to date.

2003: The convention took a break for a year.

2004: For the first time, Octocon was held outside Ireland's capital of Dublin, in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

2008: The convention returned to Dublin.

2009: The first Golden Blaster was awarded.

2014: This is to be the official Eurocon, Shamrokon.

Golden Blasters

The Golden Blasters are the National Irish Science Fiction Awards for short science fiction, fantasy or horror films. Submissions can and have come from anywhere in the world, and the winners are selected by audience vote and a panel of judges. [2]

The awards now include the Golden Blaster, The Silver Blaster and the award for the best script.

2009

Golden Blaster:
Silent City
Director: Rurairi Robinson

2010

Golden Blaster:
Ubermensch
Directed by Simon Temple and written by Daniel Poole
Silver Blaster:
The Astronomer's Sun
Written and directed by Simon Cartwright & Jessica Cope
Best Script:
He Knows
by Stuart Creque

2011

Golden Blaster:
Hai In Mano Il Tuo Futuro!
Directed by Enrico Maria Artale
Silver Blaster:
Hai In Mano Il Tuo Futuro!
Directed by Enrico Maria Artale
Best Script:
Wet Rot
by Stuart Creque

2012

Golden Blaster:
Shoreditch Slayer
Directed by Simon Levene
Silver Blaster:
CRYO
Directed by Luke Doolan
Best Script:
This Vehicle Has Been Checked For Sleeping Children
by John Burdeaux

In 2012 the judges of the scripts wanted to make an honourable mention of both Pet by Eoin O’Faolain & The Vox-Warrior Princess by Fiona Mustard.

2013

Golden Blaster:
Locked Up
Written and directed Jane Eakin.
Silver Blaster:
Sleepworking
Written and directed by Gavin Williams
Best Script:
An Bean Sidhe
Eoin O'Sullivan


Dates

1990

  • Guest of Honour: Terry Pratchett
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 13–14 October 1990

1991

  • Guest of Honour: Geoff Ryman
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 4–6 October 1991

1992

  • Guest of Honour: Orson Scott Card
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 16–18 October 1992

1993

  • Guest of Honour: Storm Constantine
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 30–31 October 1993

1994

  • Guest of Honour: Robert Holdstock
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 1–2 October 1994

1995

  • Guest of Honour: Kim Newman
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 14–15 October 1995

1996

  • Guest of Honour: Brian Stableford
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 11–13 October 1996

1997 - Eurocon

  • Guest of Honour: Harry Harrison
  • Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin.
  • Date: 25–27 October 1997

1998

  • Guest of Honour: James White
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 10 October 1998

1999

  • Guest of Honour: Robert Rankin
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 9–10 October 1999

2000

2001

  • Guest of Honour: Anne McCaffrey
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 13–14 October 2001

2002

  • Guest of Honour: China Miéville
  • Location: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
  • Date: 19–20 October 2002

2003 - No convention

2004

  • Guest of Honour: Tanith Lee
  • Location: Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
  • Date: 16–17 October 2004

2005

  • Guest of Honour: Charles Stross
  • Location: Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
  • Date: 15–16 October 2005

2006

  • Guest of Honour: J. G. Jones
  • Location: Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
  • Date: 14–15 October 2006

2007

  • Guest of Honour: Alastair Reynolds
  • Location: Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
  • Date: 13–14 October 2007

2008

  • Guest of Honour: Ken MacLeod
  • Location: Royal Dublin Hotel, Dublin.
  • Date: 18–19 October 2008

2009

  • Guest of Honour: Mike Carey
  • Fan Guest of Honour: Dave Lally
  • Location: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin.
  • Date: 10–11 October 2009

2010

  • Guest of Honour: George R. R. Martin
  • Location: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin.
  • Date: 16–17 October 2010

2011

  • Guest of Honour: John Higgins
  • Location: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin.
  • Date: 15–16 October 2011

2012

  • Guest of Honour: Liz Williams
  • Location: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin.
  • Date: 13–14 October 2012

2013

2014- Shamrokon / Eurocon

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Eurocon 2014 / Shamrokon". Retrieved 15 October 2013. 
  2. ↑ "The Golden Blasters". Retrieved 8 October 2013. 

External links

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