5 Years of SFFSFF

2010 will mark the 5th anniversary of the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival put on annually by the EMP/SFM in Seattle. The festival started out as the Science Fiction Short Film Festival in 2006 and added fantasy to it's name in 2008. The trailer for this year's festival is now located on the upper left corner of the website. Below is a recap of coverage through the festivals history. The Wikipedia entry is located here.

Tickets for the 2010 show can be found here.

Official Sites
2006
http://www.siff.net/cinema/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=14
http://www.siff.net/press/detail.aspx?NID=64&year=2006
http://web.archive.org/web/20061003143925/http://www.sfhomeworld.org/make_contact/special.asp?articleID=234
2007
http://www.siff.net/cinema/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=42
http://web.archive.org/web/20070222101607/www.sfhomeworld.org/make_contact/special.asp?articleID=251
2008
http://www.empsfm.org/programs/index.asp?articleID=1020
2009
http://www.empsfm.org/programs/index.asp?articleID=1340
http://www.siff.net/presents/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=125
2010
http://www.empsfm.org/programs/index.asp?categoryID=216

Various Articles
1st Annual Science Fiction Short Festival Launched(2006)
http://www.sflare.com/archives/first-annual-science-fiction-short-film-festival-launched/

SF Short Film Festival(2006)
http://tomecat.com/madtimes/archive/000762.html

Please Turn Off Your Vibrators & Pacemakers(2008)
http://fuzzyworld.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/please-turn-off-your-vibrators-and-pacemakers/

Seattle Sci-Fi Fans Get Their Fix(2009)
http://www.onscreenmag.com/reviews/2008-science-fiction-short-film-festival/

Astounding Tales of Science Fiction(2009)
http://dailyuw.com/2009/2/12/astounding-tales-science-fiction-fourth-annual-sci/

The Tiny Spaceship Lands in Seattle Saturday(2009)
http://seattlest.com/2009/02/06/saturday_tiny_spaceship_lands_in_se.php

December News Bytes

2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival Wrap-Up
http://www.plexipixel.com/2dornot2d/2009/12/festival-wrap-up/

Beware: The 'Twilight' Convention Is Coming To Seattle
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/186878.asp

Gatecon Founder On The Fan Convention’s Last Hurrah
http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/12/gatecon-founder-on-the-conventions-last-hurrah/

2010 Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival Tickets On Sale
http://www.siff.net/presents/seriesDetail.aspx?FID=159

Zombies in Seattle: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2010466970_rotten13.html?cmpid=2628

Aviation Geekfest 2009 + Boeing Tour
http://blog.seattlepi.com/airlinereporter/archives/187516.asp

Emerald City ComiCon Adds Many New Guests
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

Sakura-Con Announces 2 New Guests
http://www.sakuracon.org

NW Events Report Recap

Here's an interview with Creation Co-CEO Adam Malin
http://www.roddenberry.com/community/index/detail?id=557

Vancouver area Gatecon 2010 will be fan-run convention's last
http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/12/gatecon-2010-will-be-fan-run-conventions-last/

The film lineup for the 2010 Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival has been announced
http://www.empsfm.org/programs/index.asp?categoryID=216#films

A bid has launched to host the 2012 Westercon in Seattle
http://www.seattle2012.org/

Con-Con Comes to Portland

The Con-Con Is Coming To Portland March 19-21, 2010
Principal Cast of TNT's 'Leverage" Will Be On Hand For Three Day Con-Vention

LOS ANGELES (November 10, 2009) – On March 19-21, 2010 in Portland, OR, “Leverage” fans from around the world will have an opportunity to meet the team behind TNT’s hit series at CON-Con: An Official Leverage Event. The 3 day con-vention will feature appearances by the principal cast including Oscar winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People, The Good Shepherd), Beth Riesgraf, Aldis Hodge (Supernatural), Christian Kane (Angel, Friday Night Lights) and Gina Bellman (Coupling, Jekyll). Additionally the creative minds behind the series including Executive Producer Dean Devlin (producer of Independence Day, The Patriot, The Librarian trilogy) and Creators/Executive Producers John Rogers (Transformers) and Chris Downey (The King of Queens) will be on hand to take part in panel discussions and Q&As with the fans.

The CON-con will be held in the gorgeous Governor Hotel, which was used for two of “Leverage’s” episodes. Events throughout the weekend will include Q&As with the cast, autograph and meet and greet sessions, a cocktail party and an official banquet, to name a few.

The Con-Con: An Official Leverage Event is brought to you by Dean Devlin and Electric Entertainment, in cooperation with MBL Entertainment, LLC. and FED CON GmbH.

For more details and to purchase tickets please visit www.conthecon.com.

Upcoming Events: December 2009 & Beyond

*****
2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival: December 5th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.plexipixel.com/2dornot2d

*****
MewCon: December 31st, 2009 - January 2nd, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.mewcon.com

*****
ConQuest NW: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.conquestnw.com/

*****
RustyCon: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.rustycon.com

*****
Salute To Twilight Convention: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/twilight_wa.htm

*****
Spark FX: January 27th - February 1st, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://siggraph.ca/

*****
Conflikt: January 29th-31th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://conflikt.org/

*****
Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival: January 30th, 2010 - Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.empsfm.org

*****
Eugene Games Gala: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/EugeneGamesGala/

*****
Gotta Con: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Victoria, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gottacon.com/

*****
Microsoft GameFest: February 10th-11th, 2010 - Seattle Washington
Website: http://www.microsoftgamefest.com/

*****
Beyond Con: February 12th-14th, 2010 - Gig Harbor, Washington
Website: http://www.beyondcon.org/

*****
Northwest Model Hobby Expo: February 12th-14th, 2010 - Monroe, Washington
Website: http://www.nwmodelhobbyexpo.com/

*****
Radcon: February 12th-14th, 2010 - Pasco, Washington
Website: http://radcon.org/

*****
Northwest Scale Modelers Show: February 13th-14th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northwestscalemodelers/

*****
Tsukino-Con: February 19th-21st, 2010 - Victoria, BC Canada
Website: http://www.tsukinocon.com/

*****
Chibi Chibi Con: February 20th, 2010 - Olympia, Washington
Website: http://chibichibicon.net

*****
Dak-Kon XIV: February 27th-28th, 2010 - Courtenay, BC Canada
Website: http://members.axion.net/~murdock/tourney.html

*****
Potlatch 19: March 5th-7th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.potlatch-sf.org/

*****
Northwest Festivals & Events Conference: March 7th-9th, 2010 - Seaside, Oregon
Website: http://www.nwfestivalconference.com/

*****
Emerald City ComiCon: March 13th-14th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

*****
The Joy of Modeling: March 13th, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://ipmspearsonmodeleers.weebly.com/

*****
Con-Con: March 19th-21st, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.conthecon.org/

*****
Senshi-Con: March 20th-21st, 2010 - Anchorage, Alaska
Website: http://www.senshicon.org/

*****
GameStorm: March 25th-28th, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.gamestorm.org/

*****
Calgary Game Show: March 26th-28th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.cal-con.ca/

*****
Washington State Science & Engineering Fair: March 26th-27th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.wssef.org/

*****
Edmonton Collectible Toy & Comic Show: March 28th, 2010 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.edtoyshow.com/

*****
Norwescon: April 1st-4th, 2010 - Sea-Tac Washington
Website: http://www.norwescon.org

*****
Play: A Video Game Symphony: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://www.play-symphony.com/tickets.php

*****
Sakura-Con: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.sakuracon.org

*****
Game Design Expo: April 10th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gamedesignexpo.com/

*****
Stargate SG-1 Atlantis Convention: April 15th-18th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/sgvan.htm

*****
Supertrain: April 17th-18th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.supertrain.ca/

*****
Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.calgaryexpo.com/

*****
Mt. Hood Paranormal Conference: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Brightwood, Oregon
Website: http://rosecityparanormalconference.bravehost.com/

*****
Stumptown Comics Fest: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.stumptowncomics.com/

*****
Washington Cultural Congress: April 26th-28th, 2010 - Leavenworth, Washington
Website: http://wsaa.qwestoffice.net/congress.htm

*****
A Festival For May: May 1st-2nd, 2010 - Carnation, WA
Website: http://www.camlann.org/may_fest.htm

*****
RenFair: May 1st-2nd, 2010 - Moscow, ID
Website: http://www.moscowrenfair.org/

*****
Game Developers Conference Canada: May 6th-10th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gdc-canada.com/

*****
LOGIN Conference: May 10th-13th, 2010 - Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.2010.loginconference.com/

*****
UFO Fest: May 14th-15th, 2010 - McMinnville, Oregon
Website: http://www.mcmenamins.com/ufofest07/index.html

*****
Spokane Comicon: May 22nd, 2010, Spokane, Washington
Website: http://www.spokanecomicon.com/

*****
Anime Oasis EVO: May 27th-30th, 2010 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.animeoasis.org/

*****
Miscon: May 28th-31th, 2010, Missoula, Montana
Website: http://www.miscon.org/

*****
ConComCon: June 4th-6th, 2010, Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://swoc.org/ccubed/

*****
IPMS North Olympic Peninsula Model Show: June 12th, 2010 - Port Townsend, Washington
Website: http://www.nopms.net/

*****
Crypticon: June 18th-20th, 2010 - Everett, Washington
Website: http://www.crypticonseattle.com/

*****
PAIZOCON: June 18th-20th, 2010 - Bellevue, Washington
Website: http://paizo.com/store/paizo/paizocon

*****
Clarion West: June 20th - July 30th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.clarionwest.org/

*****
Fairy Congress: June 25th-27th, 2010 - Twisp, Washington
Website: http://www.fairycongress.com/

*****
Yaoifest: June 26th-27th, 2010 - Calgary, AB Canada
Website: http://www.yaoifest.com/

*****
Platform International Animation Festival: June 29th-July 3rd, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.platformfestival.com

*****
Gate Con: July 8th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://gatecon.com

*****
Casual Connect: July 20th-22nd, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://seattle.casualconnect.org/

*****
Summer Faire: July 24th - August 22nd, 2010 - Carnation, Washington
Website: http://www.camlann.org/summer_festivals.htm

*****
SpoCon: July 30th - August 1st, 2010, Spokane, Washington
Website: http://www.spocon.us

*****
Fandemonium: August 6th-8th, 2010 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.fandemonium.org/

*****
Anime Evolution: August 13th-15th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.animeevolution.com/

*****
Dragonflight: August 13th-15th, 2010 - Bellevue, Washington
Website: http://www.dragonflight.org/

*****
Gnomedex 10: August 19th-21st, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.gnomedex.com/

*****
Astronomi-con: August 21st-22nd, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.astronomi-con.com/

*****
Salute to Supernatural: August 27th-29th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/supernatural_van.htm

*****
FanFair Fest: September 4th-5th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://fanfairfest.com

*****
Kumoricon: September 4th-6th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.kumoricon.org/

*****
Shrewfaire: September 11th-12th, 2010 - Kings Valley, Oregon
Website: http://www.shrewfaire.com/

*****
Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival(MIFFF): September 17th-19th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.mifff.org

*****
Portland Pirate Festival: September 18th-19th, 2010 - St. Johns, Oregon
Website: http://www.portlandpiratefestival.com/

*****
Retro Gaming Expo: September 18th-19th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://retrogamingexpo.com/

*****
Foolscap: September 24th-26th, 2010 - Redmond, Washington
Website: http://www.foolscapcon.org/

*****
Rain Furrest: September 24th-26th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.rainfurrest.org

*****
Jet City Comic Show: September 25th, 2010, Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.jetcitycomicshow.com

*****
BrickCon: September 30th - October 3rd, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.brickcon.org/

*****
ConQuest Oregon: October 1st-3rd, 2010 - Hillsburo, Oregon
Website: http://oregon.avalongamecon.com/

*****
Wordstock Festival: October 7th-10th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.wordstockfestival.com/

*****
Con: Version: October 15th-17th, 2010 - Calgary, AB Canada
Website: http://www.con-version.org/

*****
Aki Con: November 5th-7th, 2010 - Everett, Washington
Website: http://www.akicon.org/

*****
Portland Comic Book Show: November 14th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.portlandcomicbookshow.com/

*****
Steam-Con: November 19th-21th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.steam-con.com/

Events Across The Globe

Here's some coverage of various fandom related events across the globe.

Anime News Network has posted coverage of the Anime Festival Asia in Singapore this past weekend. It has also posted an article about this past summers Comitia 90 in Tokyo, Japan.

Vice magazine has a writeup of FaerieCon 2009 in Baltimore.

Tuscon Citizen covers the multi-genre convention TusCon 36.

And finally, it appears the owners of Wizard Entertainment have purchased their third convention this year. The New England Comic Con now falls under the umbrella of Wizard World. This follows the earlier purchases of the Big Apple Comic Con and of Paradise's Toronto Comic Con.

Upcoming Events: November 2009 & Beyond

*****
GIRAF 4: November 4th-8th, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.giraffest.ca/

*****
AmberCon Northwest: November 5th-8th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.amberconnw.org/

*****
Aki Con: November 6th-8th, 2009 - Everett, Washington
Website: http://www.akicon.org/

*****
BottosCon: November 6th-8th, 2009 - Surrey, BC Canada
Website: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/BottosCon/

*****
Video Games Live: November 7th & 8th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.videogameslive.com

*****
Seattle ComiCard Convention: November 8th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.seattlecomicardconvention.com/

*****
Emerald City Gamefest: November 14th, 2009 - Kenmore, Washington
Website: http://emeraldcitygamefest.org/

*****
Keep Portland Weird: November 14th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.multcolib.org/events/kpw.html

*****
Otafest Lite: November 14th, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.otafest.com

*****
Portland Comic Book Show: November 15th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.portlandcomicbookshow.com/

*****
Orycon: November 27th-29th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.orycon.org/orycon31/

*****
Tomodachi Fest: November 27th-29th, 2009 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.tomodachifest.com/

*****
2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival: December 5th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.plexipixel.com/2dornot2d

*****
MewCon: December 31st, 2009 - January 2nd, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.mewcon.com

*****
ConQuest NW: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.conquestnw.com/

*****
RustyCon: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.rustycon.com

*****
Salute To Twilight Convention: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/twilight_wa.htm

*****
Conflikt: January 29th-31th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://conflikt.org/

*****
Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival: January 30th, 2010 - Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.empsfm.org

*****
Eugene Games Gala: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/EugeneGamesGala/

*****
Gotta Con: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Victoria, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gottacon.com/

*****
Radcon: February 12th-14th, 2010 - Pasco, Washington
Website: http://radcon.org/

*****
Dak-Kon XIV: February 27th-28th, 2010 - Courtenay, BC Canada
Website: http://members.axion.net/~murdock/tourney.html

*****
Potlatch 19: March 5th-7th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.potlatch-sf.org/

*****
Northwest Festivals & Events Conference: March 7th-9th, 2010 - Seaside, Oregon
Website: http://www.nwfestivalconference.com/

*****
Emerald City ComiCon: March 13th-14th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

*****
GameStorm: March 25th-28th, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.gamestorm.org/

*****
Washington State Science & Engineering Fair: March 26th-27th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.wssef.org/

*****
Edmonton Collectible Toy & Comic Show: March 28th, 2010 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.edtoyshow.com/

*****
Norwescon: April 1st-4th, 2010 - Sea-Tac Washington
Website: http://www.norwescon.org

*****
Play: A Video Game Symphony: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://www.play-symphony.com/tickets.php

*****
Sakura-Con: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.sakuracon.org

*****
Game Design Expo: April 10th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gamedesignexpo.com/

*****
Stargate SG-1 Atlantis Convention: April 15th-18th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/sgvan.htm

*****
Supertrain: April 17th-18th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.supertrain.ca/

*****
Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.calgaryexpo.com/

*****
Stumptown Comics Fest: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.stumptowncomics.com/

*****
UFO Fest: May 14th-15th, 2010 - McMinnville, Oregon
Website: http://www.mcmenamins.com/ufofest07/index.html

*****
Spokane Comicon: May 22nd, 2010, Spokane, Washington
Website: http://www.spokanecomicon.com/

*****
Anime Oasis EVO: May 27th-30th, 2010 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.animeoasis.org/

*****
Miscon: May 28th-31th, 2010, Missoula, Montana
Website: http://www.miscon.org/

*****
ConComCon: June 4th-6th, 2010, Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://swoc.org/ccubed/

*****
Platform International Animation Festival: June 29th-July 3rd, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.platformfestival.com

*****
Gate Con: July 8th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://gatecon.com

*****
FanFair Fest: September 4th-5th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://fanfairfest.com

*****
Kumoricon: September 4th-6th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.kumoricon.org/

*****
Jet City Comic Show: September 25th, 2010, Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.jetcitycomicshow.com

Event News Twitter Directory

EVENT NEWS MEDIA – Info about conventions, events, festivals, & show news.

All Festivals http://twitter.com/allfestivals
Amusement News http://twitter.com/AmusementNews
AnimeCons http://twitter.com/animecons
Attractions Magazine http://twitter.com/attractions
ComicConGroup http://twitter.com/comiccongroup
Coming Soon Events http://twitter.com/csconfest
Convention Fans http://twitter.com/dreadpiraterose
Convention Industry Council http://twitter.com/ConvIndustry
Con Reporter http://twitter.com/conreporter
Convention News TV http://twitter.com/CNTV
Convention Plan It http://twitter.com/conventionplani
Conventions.net http://twitter.com/conventionsnet
Con Finder http://twitter.com/confinder
Convention Scene http://twitter.com/conventionscene
CosWatch http://twitter.com/CosWatch
Event Feed http://twitter.com/EventFeed
Event In http://twitter.com/eventin
Event News Blog http://twitter.com/eventnewsblog
Event PR Newswire http://twitter.com/EventNewsCenter
Events Network http://twitter.com/events_network
Fannish http://twitter.com/Fannish
Fest Blast http://twitter.com/FestBlast
Fest Mob http://twitter.com/festmob
Festival Fanatic http://twitter.com/festivalfanatic
Festival Network http://twitter.com/festivalnetwork
Festival Source http://twitter.com/festivalsource
Film Festival Expert http://twitter.com/filmfestexpert
Film Festival News http://twitter.com/filmfest
Film Festival Radio http://twitter.com/filmfestivalsho
Film Fest Mafia http://twitter.com/filmfestmafia
IAEE http://twitter.com/IAEE_HQ
Ominous Events http://twitter.com/ominous_events
OzCONspirator http://twitter.com/OzCONspirator
MPI Events http://twitter.com/MPIevents
PCMA http://twitter.com/pcmahq
Themed Travel http://twitter.com/ThemedTravel
Theme Park Insider http://twitter.com/Themepark
Trade Show Alerts http://twitter.com/tradeshowalerts
Trade Show Blues http://twitter.com/TradeshowBlues
Trade Show News http://twitter.com/tradeshownews
Trade Show News http://twitter.com/TradeShow_News
Trade Shows http://twitter.com/TradeShows
TSW News http://twitter.com/TSWNews
Upcoming Cons http://twitter.com/upcomingcons
Wasabi Anime http://twitter.com/WasabiAnime

Otafest Lite

Otafest Lite
November 14, 2009
University of Calgary: Science Theaters
Admission: $10 with 50% of proceeds being donated to charity.
http://www.otafest.com

Otafest is a Japanese Animation (anime) themed festival held annually at the University of Calgary. Like many anime conventions and festivals, it began as a small 1 day event run by the University of Calgary’s anime club – Dedicated Anime Otaku. The first Otafest was held in 1999 and attracted a few hundred attendees.

Over the next decade, the festival has grown and expanded to become its own separate non-profit entity (Otafest Film & Cultural Planning Committee). For the last few years, the festival has been held over May long weekend. Otafest 2009 had just over 4000 paid attendees, with over 4300 people overall!

Over the last few years, the anime community around Otafest have joked about how much fun the annual festival was, and how nice it would be to have a 2nd winter based festival so that they didn’t have to wait another year.

While the planning committee has laughed off such an event as unfeasible (re: suicidal) for years, after an evening of bravado, bluster and boasting, followed by a period of careful calculation and banging on calculators, the committee realized that the funny feeling in their stomachs was the dawning horror of realization that a 2nd, smaller, winter based festival was actually quite feasible and that we hadn’t just crossed the line of no return; it had vanished into a speck of light in the distance. And so, Otafest-lite was born.

Otafest-lite is a 1 day anime festival held at the University of Calgary on November 14th. It will be similar to the Otafest you know and love, except that it will be on a much reduced scope. While Otafest spanned multiple buildings at the University and offered 5 rooms of AV programming, a large vendors hall, an artist alley, and over 80+ individual panels, contests and other special events, Otafest-lite will be held solely in the Science Theatres at the University and feature 3 rooms of AV programming, a small area for vendors and roughly 20 live events.

The goal is to re-create the small-convention atmosphere which characterized Otafest’s past. Target attendance is roughly 500-700 people.

Upcoming Events: October 2009 & Beyond

*****
BrickCon: October 1st-4th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.brickcon.org/

*****
H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon: October 2-4th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://hplfilmfestival.com/

*****
VCON: October 2nd-4th, 2009 - Surrey, BC Canada
Website: http://www.vcon.ca/

*****
ConQuest Oregon: October 3rd-4th, 2009 - Hillsburo, Oregon
Website: http://oregon.avalongamecon.com/

*****
Calgary Comic & Toy Expo: October 4th, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.comicandtoy.ca/

*****
Final Fantasy Distant Worlds: October 8th, 2009 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.ffdistantworlds.com

*****
Tactical Solutions: October 9th-11th, 2009 - Spokane Valley, Washington
Website: http://tactical-solutions-gaming.tripod.com/

*****
Star Wars In Concert: October 13th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.starwarsinconcert.com/

*****
Star Wars In Concert: October 14th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.starwarsinconcert.com/

*****
DedFest: October 15th-18th, 2009 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Website: http://dedfest.com/

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Tri-City Independent Fan Film Festival: October 17th, 2009 - Pasco, Washington
Website: http://natmansblog.blogspot.com/

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Pop Culture Fair: October 18th, 2009 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.popculturefair.com/

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Steam-Con: October 23rd-25th, 2009 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.steam-con.com/

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Bellerose Con: October 24th, 2009 - St. Albert, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.bellerosecon.com/

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Bellingham ComiCon: October 24th, 2009 - Bellingham, Washington
Website: http://bellinghamcomicon.com

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Victoria Comic Convention: October 30th - November 1st, 2009 - Victoria, BC Canada
Website: http://www.victoriacomicconvention.com

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GIRAF 4: November 4th-8th, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.giraffest.ca/

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AmberCon Northwest: November 5th-8th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.amberconnw.org/

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Aki Con: November 6th-8th, 2009 - Everett, Washington
Website: http://www.akicon.org/

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BottosCon: November 6th-8th, 2009 - Surrey, BC Canada
Website: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/BottosCon/

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Video Games Live: November 7th & 8th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.videogameslive.com

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Seattle ComiCard Convention: November 8th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.seattlecomicardconvention.com/

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Emerald City Gamefest: November 14th, 2009 - Kenmore, Washington
Website: http://emeraldcitygamefest.org/

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Keep Portland Weird: November 14th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.multcolib.org/events/kpw.html

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Otafest Lite: November 14th, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.otafest.com

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Portland Comic Book Show: November 15th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.portlandcomicbookshow.com/

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Orycon: November 27th-29th, 2009 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.orycon.org/orycon31/

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Tomodachi Fest: November 27th-29th, 2009 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.tomodachifest.com/

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2D Or Not 2D Animation Festival: December 5th, 2009 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.plexipixel.com/2dornot2d

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MewCon: December 31st, 2009 - January 2nd, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.mewcon.com

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ConQuest NW: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.conquestnw.com/

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RustyCon: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://www.rustycon.com

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Salute To Twilight Convention: January 15th-17th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/twilight_wa.htm

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Conflikt: January 29th-31th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://conflikt.org/

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Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival: January 30th, 2010 - Seattle, WA
Website: http://www.empsfm.org

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Eugene Games Gala: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/EugeneGamesGala/

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Gotta Con: February 5th-7th, 2010 - Victoria, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gottacon.com/

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Radcon: February 12th-14th, 2010 - Pasco, Washington
Website: http://radcon.org/

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Dak-Kon XIV: February 27th-28th, 2010 - Courtenay, BC Canada
Website: http://members.axion.net/~murdock/tourney.html

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Potlatch 19: March 5th-7th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.potlatch-sf.org/

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Northwest Festivals & Events Conference: March 7th-9th, 2010 - Seaside, Oregon
Website: http://www.nwfestivalconference.com/

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Emerald City ComiCon: March 13th-14th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

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GameStorm: March 25th-28th, 2010 - Vancouver, Washington
Website: http://www.gamestorm.org/

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Washington State Science & Engineering Fair: March 26th-27th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.wssef.org/

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Edmonton Collectible Toy & Comic Show: March 28th, 2010 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.edtoyshow.com/

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Norwescon: April 1st-4th, 2010 - Sea-Tac Washington
Website: http://www.norwescon.org

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Play: A Video Game Symphony: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon
Website: http://www.play-symphony.com/tickets.php

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Sakura-Con: April 2nd-4th, 2010 - Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.sakuracon.org

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Game Design Expo: April 10th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.gamedesignexpo.com/

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Stargate SG-1 Atlantis Convention: April 15th-18th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/sgvan.htm

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Supertrain: April 17th-18th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.supertrain.ca/

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Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Website: http://www.calgaryexpo.com/

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Stumptown Comics Fest: April 24th-25th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.stumptowncomics.com/

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UFO Fest: May 14th-15th, 2010 - McMinnville, Oregon
Website: http://www.mcmenamins.com/ufofest07/index.html

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Spokane Comicon: May 22nd, 2010, Spokane, Washington
Website: http://www.spokanecomicon.com/

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Anime Oasis EVO: May 27th-30th, 2010 - Boise, Idaho
Website: http://www.animeoasis.org/

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Miscon: May 28th-31th, 2010, Missoula, Montana
Website: http://www.miscon.org/

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ConComCon: June 4th-6th, 2010, Sea-Tac, Washington
Website: http://swoc.org/ccubed/

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Jet City Comic Show: June 6th, 2010, Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.jetcitycomicshow.com

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Platform International Animation Festival: June 29th-July 3rd, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.platformfestival.com

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Gate Con: July 8th-11th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://gatecon.com

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FanFair Fest: September 4th-5th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC Canada
Website: http://fanfairfest.com

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Kumoricon: September 4th-6th, 2010 - Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.kumoricon.org/