Geekfest 2013 wraps PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Monday Aug 12, 2013

London geeks out at first annual celebration of geek culture

More than 1500 geeks converged this weekend for London’s first annual celebration of geek culture, including talks, discussions, workshops, comedy and music dedicated to all things geeky, with many fans elaborately dressed up as their favourite characters from books, films and games.

As well as the core elements of traditional science fiction conventions such as gaming, comics, books and film, Geekfest broadened the scope of geekery to include science, technology, geek feminism, knitting and popular culture such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Doctor Who.

Many big names in UK science fiction and fantasy appeared, including Cory Doctorow, Ben Aaronovitch, Charlie Stross and Catherine Banner and many TV writers. Actors such as Chris Barrie (Red Dwarf), Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones) and Kai Owen (Torchwood) spent the weekend interacting with fans. Nine Worlds Geekfest also brought together games and comics creators such as Rhianna Pratchett (Tomb Raider), Kieron Gillen (Marvel Comics) alongside journalists, scientists, filmmakers, artists and academics.

The Geekfest worked hard to welcome those who may feel traditional sci-fi conventions aren’t for them, by promoting access for disabled people and having firm policies against harassment. There were also suites of talks dedicated to Geek Feminism and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

The Nine Worlds Geekfest Awards recognised excellent work in science fiction and fantasy over the last year. Highlights of the awards included “Best London-based Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel” which went to Paul Cornell for ”London Falling” and “Best Sci-Fi Related Exhibition” which was awarded to the Maritime Museum for Visions of the Universe. The Geekfest also honoured recently departed heroes, including sci-fi novelist Iain M. Banks and astronaut Sally Ride during their Afterworld Party.

Nine Worlds organisers started the event in the belief that London should have the kind of large-scale geek gatherings that other parts of the world enjoy. Co-organiser Erich Schultz says, “As huge sci-fi fans ourselves, we’d been going to the massive American residential conventions like Dragon*Con and San Diego ComicCon. We kept asking ourselves, 'Why doesn’t anything that cool exist in London?’”

When the organisers asked that question aloud, the UK geek community answered by supporting their Kickstarter to the tune of £23,000, one of the most successful ever campaigns to crowd-fund a convention.

Co-organiser Ludi Valentine said, “The event succeeded beyond our wildest expectations, and already scores are booking for next year”. Next year’s Geekfest will take place on August 8-10, 2014 in London.

All proceeds from the event go to Geekfest's charity partner English PEN, which supports persecuted writers around the world.

Full information about the event and press photos can be found at:
nineworlds.co.uk

Here's a link so our official photographers photo set.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elemg42/sets/72157635039280897/

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Nine Worlds organiser Erich Schultz
07875722640
erich@nineworlds.co.uk

Nine Worlds Geekfest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenineworlds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/london_geekfest
Internet: http://www.nineworlds.co.uk/

Year:

2013

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Geekfest 2013 wraps PRESS RELEASE