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 20,000 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, Mexico, Austria, Israel, Spain, Japan, and Great Britain make it a truly international event.

Films accepted to screen at Gen Con 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.

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 $750
· Best Short Film $750
· Ovid Award $1000

Additionally certificates will be awarded to the following selections:
· Best Independent Series
· 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
· Best Student Film

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

Congratulations to our 2023 Festival Award Winners.

Best Feature Film - Showdown in Yesteryear (USA)
Best Short Film - Splinter (USA)
Best Independent Series - Star Wars Fan Made - Actual Play Series EP3 "Not Another New Hope" (USA)
OVID Award - 10:35 (Mexico)

Best Animated - 10:35 (Mexico)
Best Student - A Lovely Death (Mexico)
Best documentary - The Once and Future Smash (USA)
Best Fan film - Last Trial - A Star Wars Collateral Story (Spain)
Best Gamer - High Stakes (USA)
Best Comedy - A Pretty Good Movie (USA)
Best Sci-Fi - Rogue Guardian (USA)
Best Fantasy - Morning is Broken (USA)
Best Horror - Closet Space (USA)

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 five (5) 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 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 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nathaniel Slater

    We're honored to have our film selected for their film festival. They put up a great showing for all the films, unfortunately we didn't make in time for the festival. Everyone was great, glad we were part of the great experience!

    February 2024
  • Josh Weber

    It was an honor to be accepted to the festival. The communication from the Gen Con team was outstanding. 100% professional!

    October 2023
  • Space Boy MX

    We are very grateful because our short film 10:35 was the winner in the categories of “Best Animated Film” and “Ovid Award. This achievement inspires us to continue striving for excellence in our projects and we look forward to sharing more exciting content with you in the future. We thank the organizers and everyone involved in the festival for their dedication and effort to make it happen.

    Space hugs.
    Spaceboy.

    www.spaceboy.mx
    https://linktr.ee/spaceboymx

    September 2023
  • Gen-Con great festival! Great communication. Everyone super helpful, very courteous. Thank you so much for selecting my feature film Showdown In Yesteryear not only to screen but to also win Best Feature Film. I encourage other filmmakers to submit, not I need to make another film myself!

    September 2023
  • Taylor Hensley

    Communication was excellent and they were very friendly and helpful. I hope to go again.

    August 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    We hope to see you again! Thanks for sharing your work with our audience!