Gen Con is the largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture in North America. The convention, which began in 1968 in Lake Geneva, WI, attracts 70,000 attendees and 538 exhibiting companies each year. During the convention, attendees choose from over 19,000 ticketed events representing a wide array of board games, card games, roleplaying games, seminars, entertainment events, and more. Gen Con takes place annually in the Indiana Convention Center and surrounding downtown hotel spaces in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Filmmakers from around the world gather to compete in the Gen Con Film Festival. Some travel from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis for screenings, film panels, and the awards ceremony. Films from across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Israel, Japan, and Great Britain make it a truly international event.

Films accepted to screen at Gen Con 2022 will also be streamed as part of the Gen Con Online event. Filmmakers who do not wish their films to be streamed online may submit an opt-out notice via email.

The Gen Con Film Festival focuses on genres that appeal to our gaming attendees. These include, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation, Anime, Martial Arts, Gaming, related parodies and documentaries.

Awards & Prizes

The Ovid Award is named after the Roman poet known for his immense influence on imaginative interpretations of classic myths. This award will be granted for the "most interesting and creative story" among the Best Short Film entries, regardless of genre. The recipient will receive a $1000 cash prize. The Ovid Award has been made possible through a contribution from a generous anonymous Film Festival benefactor.

Cash prize winnings are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local taxes; winners may be requested to fill out a W9 prior to receipt of award.

Cash Prizes will be awarded in the categories:
· Best Feature Film $1000
- Ovid Award $1000

· Best Short Film $250
· Best Web Series $250
Additionally certificates will be awarded to the following selections:
· Best Animated Film
· Best Gamer Film
· Best Documentary Film
· Best Fantasy Film
· Best Sci-fi Film
· Best Horror Film
· Best Fan Film
· Best Comedy Film

Filmmakers are encouraged to attend and participate in the many film related panels and discussions during the festival.

Congratulations to our 2022 Festival Award Winners.

Best Feature Film - Ticket (Japan)
Best Independent Series - The Demon Vlogs (USA)
Best Short Film - Reel Trouble (USA)
Ovid Award - Static Space (USA)

Best Horror Film - What Is Buried Must Remain (Lebanon)
Best Gamer Film -The Satanic Panic and the Religious Battle for the Imagination (Canada)
Best Documentary Film - Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (USA)
Best Sci-fi Film - The Repairman (USA)
Best Animated Film - Paradise Lost (USA)
Best Comedy Film - Fred Crisman: Cave of the Space Nazis! (USA)
Best Fantasy Film - Finding Feodan (Canada)
Best Fan Film - A Blaster In The Right Hands: A Star Wars Story (Australia)

Rules & Terms

Eligibility All films must be:
Gaming, sci-fi, fantasy or horror related.

Films deemed obscene or defamatory will be disqualified
Gen Con LLC reserves the right to reject any film at any time for any reason.
Gen Con employees, sponsors, and their immediate families are excluded from competition.
Refunds will not be provided for disqualified or rejected entries.

An original work. The filmmaker is responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions for use of trademarks, copyrights or any other properties (including, but not limited to logos, images, characters or music) in his or her film. Fan films are not eligible for cash prizes, with the exception of parody films.

The film being submitted is in its completed and final form and will not be changed between submission and the time it is shown at the Gen Con Film Festival.

Send a copy of your film not the original, media will not be returned. Preferred media format is mp4 1080p h.264 file. Preferred method for film submission is upload to FilmFreeway or link to Vimeo.

A brief typed summary of your film (150 characters or less) as well as a bio sheet about central film staff (directors or writers) must be provided.

At least three (3) production stills for use in promotion and publicity must be provided. If you submit these as digital images, please make sure they are at least 300dpi.

You may submit multiple films, each film must be submitted separately with its own entry form. If your film is accepted, up to four(4) 4-day badges to Gen Con will be provided for production staff attending to introduce and discuss the film. Badge requests must received by no later than June 30th. A maximum of five (5) 4-day passes may be provided per submitter (not per film).

Films that have previously won any award in the Gen Con Film Festival are not eligible for competition. These films may be submitted to screen out of competition.

Entry provides Gen Con all permissions to screen submissions at any venue(s) during the Gen Con 2022 and Gen Con Online show dates. Gen Con is further provided permission to make copies of submissions as necessary for screening purposes only. Films accepted to screen at Gen Con 2022 will also be streamed online as part of the Gen Con Online event. Filmmakers who do not wish their films to be streamed online may submit an opt-out notice via email.

Selected films will be notified no later than June 15th 2022.

48 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • RPG All-Stars

    I had a wonderful time in 2022 at the festival. The panels were informing and there was always a screen running!

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    There's always something to do or see at Gen Con. Thanks for being part of it!

  • Jaysen Buterin

    Everything about the GenCon Film Festival really is out of this world - from the films and the filmmakers, the programming and the programmers, even from the opening announcements down to the awards themselves, and it's all done with such cinematic sincerity that it's immediately noticeable the instant they greet you as you arrive!

    August 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Jaysen, glad you enjoyed the event. Thanks for the positive feedback!

  • Matt Patterson

    Great fest with a very unique audience!

    August 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Matt, thanks for sharing your work with us. Hope to see you again soon!

  • Brian Burroughs

    I had the pleasure of attending Gen Con 2022 for the screening of my short Hot Bush. A great time meeting other filmmakers, attending panels and of course watching some *very cool* films set up by the well organised hosts. With the bonus of all the Gen Con gaming going on it's surely one of the best, I'd go again in a flash.

    August 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Brian, it was great hosting you and your film. Glad we made it worth the trip! Looking forward to seeing your next project!

  • Ash Blodgett

    I couldn't attend the festival in person, but this is my third year doing it virtually and it's always so much fun! Chuck is the absolute best with communication and making a wonderful environment for filmmakers. I always meet other filmmakers that I end up staying in touch with for years to come. Definitely worth it!

    August 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Ash. Glad you enjoy the online version of the festival. Hopefully you will be able to make to Indianapolis and get the full experience.