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.

2021 Award Winners!
Best Feature Film - The Black Book (USA)
Best Short Film - Crusoe (USA)
Best Independent Series - Joy Ridders (USA)
OVID Award - Venus (UK)

Best Horror Film - The Light Thief (Bahrain)
Best Fantasy Film - The Failing Light (USA)
Best Sci-fi Film - Venus (UK)
Best Comedy Film - Star Saga (USA)
Best Gamer Film - Enter the Mind Dungeon (USA)
Best Fan Film - Balance of the Force (USA)
Best Documentary - A Haunting in Hinsdale (USA)
Best Animated Film - Crusoe (USA)

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. Entries may be sent via DVDs and Blu-rays encoded region 0 or 1.

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.

40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Andrew McGee

    An absolutely brilliant festival, run by people who are clearly passionate about filmmakers and genre stories. Even though I couldn't make it due to travel restrictions, I still felt very much part of it - highly professional with great communication, thank you Gen Con!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Andrew, thanks for the kind words. Hopefully everything will be back to "normal" next year. Though we do intend to keep those who can't make it involved as much possible.

  • Michael Dotson

    They were very accommodating to us since we could not travel to make it and kept in communication with us through the festival, which was very important to us. Very professional and courteous, could not have asked for a better venue!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Michael! We had a great turn out for "A Haunting In Hinsdale". Hope we will see you onsite in the near future!

  • Scott Brown

    This is a spectacular festival. Highly recommend! Great communication, lots of networking, lots of panels, and well attended screenings!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Glad you were able to take part in our panels. We have been trying to make sure that filmmakers that cannot attend are still able to participate. Hope to see you in Indianapolis in the near future!

  • Elise Forier Edie

    What a great festival. The organizers were welcoming and made a real effort to create panels and events that would be of interest to filmmakers. I highly recommend GenCon and will plan to attend again

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Elise. LISA went over great with our crowd. Hope to see you in person soon!

  • Russell Emanuel

    Great film festival that treated us well! Thank you so much!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for submitting Routine. It was a perfect fit for our fest. Looking forward to your next project!