AN EVENT HOSTED BY THE PHILADELPHIA SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY
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Fans are a mixed lot, with the most surprising combinations of interests. Philcon can't tickle them all, but we try. So, what's your pleasure?
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Please note: the schedule is subject to change, and such changes are reported in the at-con one-sheet newsletter, the Philcon Rocket. Panels don't often move, but participants may be added or dropped for reasons beyond our control, or theirs.
Philcon 2006 will be presenting a broad and expansive look at Japanese Animation, also known as anime, for your intellectual and viewing pleasure. Our panel discussions are geared to appeal to any and all, from the interested beginner to the casual watcher and even the veteran know-it-all. As always, the Anime Screening Room will show the best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Japan has to offer.
Questions? Call us at
For contractual reasons, Philcon cannot publicly list the anime titles that will be screened. You'll just have to come and check the hardcopy schedules.
Art programming will include panels on topics such as horror art, pin-up art, space art, and how to turn everyday objects into magical items. We also will feature a guided tour of the art show and art demonstrations led by some of the East Coast's leading artists. The demos are hands-on and Philcon members are encouraged to bring sketch pads, pens, pencils, or other tools to these events.
For more information, please contact
Readings by published authors attending Philcon will be conducted in Parlor B, on the Second Level.
The Children's Program is designed to engage the 7-12-year-old set, but most of its activities will be of interest to anyone who's young at heart; full details are available. It also works closely with the LEGO Program and Babysitting.
For information, or if you'd like to help, please contact
Location TBD. Drop by to chat with old friends, make some new ones, and let the conversation be lubricated with some light snacks and soft drinks. Please note: if you're looking for a full meal, there's a restaurant guide in the Program Book.
Costume programming is designed to provide programs of interest for all levels, from the person who has never made or worn a costume to seasoned Masquerade entrants, for Cosplayers, LARPers and re-enactors. New ideas and offers to present are always welcome, although we may not be able to use all of your ideas immediately.
You can contact us at
Filk is the folk music of SF fandom, and this year, Philcon's filk program is proud to feature the extremely talented Tom Smith! But that's not all — look for concerts by other wonderful musicians, a sing-along, and (of course) singing together late into the night. Bring a song of your own, or just a pair of ears.
Ongoing Filking will be conducted in Salon 9, on the Mezzanine level.
Send us a shout at:
We believe that if you're coming to a con to watch a movie or short, it shouldn't be something you can simply rent at your neighborhood video store. We'll continue our tradition of showing the odd, the rare, the thought-provoking, and the disturbing; from the US, and from around the world. Also look for discussions following some of our showings. Movies are meant to be seen and enjoyed with others, so come enjoy them with us.
Questions? Comments? Ideas?
For contractual reasons, Philcon cannot publicly name the titles that will be screened. If you want to know, you'll have to show.
As always, we will be complementing our gaming room with a range of program items which explore the creativity, innovation and depth of gaming. Join us in our panel discussions about the nature of games, how they are developed, why we play them and what we learn from them.
Open Gaming will be conducted in Salons 3-6 (Mezzanine level) and on the Mezzanine.
If you are a game developer, or have a
subject you think would be interesting, please contact us at
Philcon began as a literary convention, in an era when the written word dominated the genre. That form of expression still dominates our program.
Our literary programming track presents panels structured on the literature of the imagination, whether science fiction, fantasy, horror or a combination of those genres. This track is also responsible for presenting the Principal Speaker, the other Guests of Honor and certain special programs such as the SF Quiz Show and other items of interest. A couple of years removed from the program David Gerrold called “the best SF program ever put on at a con,” and that Connie Willis said was “well run and excellent,” the Literary Programming committee seeks to keep the momentum going.
For further info, please contact Oz Fontecchio at
Location TBD. Jbonunsla, a Lojban Festival: a weekend-long meeting devoted to this logically-structured artificial language.
The public is invited to the largest gathering of Lojban speakers in decades, hosted by Philcon: Jbonunsla 2006. It means "Lojban Festival". This is a project begun in the 1950s (made famous by Heinlein) to create an artificially-designed human-speakable language based on predicate logic. A slideshow, a class, a PhD linguistics/cognitive neuroscience presenter, discussions, and Lojbanic games will run all weekend. The Logical Language Group will conduct a discussion panel with the Klingon Language Institute. The Logical Language and the Warrior Language, together for the first time! See the poster at the Lojban suite for our complete schedule of activities. (See also: www.lojban.org.)
Saturday, 9:00 pm (doors open at 8:00 pm), Freedom Ballroom. Come demonstrate your prowess in costume and character — or come to applaud those who do. Be it recreation or original, inspired by books, media, anime, or your own unclassifiable imagination — take the runway! Will operate according to the rules of the International Costumers Guild. Half-time intermission will be Philcon's special musical guest, Tom Smith. (Subject to change.) For details, please contact
This is a year for anniversaries: The 40th of Star Trek, the 10th of Stargate SG-1, as well as Philcon's 70th! We will be offering an eclectic mix of panels and discussions on a variety of topics, not just about what is on the tube, but also what is going on behind the scenes, and what is coming down the wire. How are the worlds of television, film, comics, and the Web combining? What gems are waiting in the wings, and what untimely deaths are we mourning? We will be bringing back some old favorites such as “The Best Films You Have Never Heard Of” and the continuation of “Filmmakers 101.” Expect the serious, the sad, and the silly.
Have something you'd like to see, some topic you like to see
explored? Please contact us at
Friday night, in the Art Show (Philadelphia Ballroom, Mezzanine Level). Mix, mingle, chat and kibbitz informally with the SF&F professionals attending Philcon; get some “face time” before they're monopolized by panel discussions.
Friday, 10:00 pm to Late, Freedom Ballroom; no additional fee. Theme: “Under the Milky Way Tonight.” Formal attire preferred; multiple DJs; photos will be taken for sale.
There is no science fiction without science. Philcon 2006 will offer a view of cutting edge science, including participation by research scientists on a wide variety of topics.
You may contact us with suggestions at
Ever since “True Names”, Neuromancer and Tron, SF has considered the possibilities of adventure and commerce in an immersive, artificial world simulated within a global network of computers. This track explores how those possibilities have become reality.
This track will be a “mixed reality” event — simultaneously presented in the virtual world of Second Life (itself inspired by Snow Crash) and the physical world of Philcon. The panelists will be able to see and interact with both the physical and digital audiences. Philcon, the first science fiction convention in the real world, is now the first in the virtual world. For further information, check back or contact
QuickTime streaming for this event by ServerCave Internet Services. Mixed reality panels happening all weekend at the Sci Fi Geeks Theater and Museum and the PostHuman Theater in Chaos.
For a full list of departments and their heads, please consult the 2006 Committee List.
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