Westeros comes to Welly Dani McDonald
Thousands of science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts are set to transform Wellington into a sci-fi metropolis.
The capital has been selected to host the 78th World Science Fiction Convention in 2020, an event that celebrates all aspects of the science fiction and fantasy genres.
It will be the first time that New Zealand has hosted the event, which will feature Game of
Thrones author George R R Martin as the toastmaster.
Destinations are usually selected by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) through a bidding process.
CoNZealand (the event’s title) co-chairs Norman Cates and Kelly Buehler have fought to host the convention in Wellington since 2010.
They have had the support of Tourism New Zealand and the Wellington Regional
Economic Development Agency (Wreda) in this year’s bid, which received 643 of 726 votes cast.
Cates, a Weta Digital employee, said it was a moment of pride when he learned New Zealand would finally have the opportunity to host.
‘‘I choked up and basically cried a little bit, just because it’s been eight years. It’s one of those things where you kind of get pushed over the cliff but then you meet amazing people,’’ he said.
The event, which also hosts the renowned Hugo Awards (the sci-fi literary equivalent of the Grammy Awards), was first held in New York, in 1939.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall said the event would showcase New Zealand as a place where creative thinking was embraced.
Award-winning speculative fiction writer Lee Murray considered New Zealand’s connection to Middle Earth, and other films, a huge drawcard for the sci-fi visitors.
‘‘Someone has even asked whether there would be a What
We Do in the Shadows tour,’’ she
said.
‘‘There is an element of fan tourism. It’s wonderful to have the community come to us, instead of us having to travel, and it will be wonderful for people in New Zealand to see the strength and value of the science fiction and fantasy community, as we have been quite marginalised,’’ she said. ‘‘We have poets, gamers, artists, sculptors, screenwriters, novelists.’’
Wreda chief executive Lance Walker expected the event to pull 2000 visitors to the region with a $4 million injection to the local economy, and enable the local creative sector to connect with the international sci-fi community.
‘‘It’s no secret that our local screen industry and film-makers love science fiction. Who knows what will happen when you bring them together with the world’s greatest science fiction storytellers.’’
Wellington business PhotonFlux, considered to be the only sci-fi bar in New Zealand, showcases local and international artists, hobbyists and fan work.
‘‘We are looking forward to the creativity, the 100 per cent talk about sci-fi, behind the scenes, the making of,’’ co-owner Nina Human said. ‘‘This is the thing about sci-fi which we love, you just don’t know what will happen.
‘‘I think this will be the opportunity for individuals to become insanely creative.’’
CoNZealand will be held at multiple venues, including TSB Arena and the Michael Fowler Centre, July 29 to August 2, 2020.