G-FEST XIX Dates Released

The word on the street--OK, on Facebook--is that G-FEST XIX will convene July 13--15, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont. There had been some talk about a possible change of venue, but apparently the deal is done!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Modeler

Our first G-FEST (XVI, featuring Guest of Honor Kenji Sahara) was punctuated by a raffle win from the Kaiju Modeler booth. It was an awesome Godzilla 1964 from a Paradise kit. However, the best thing to come out of that was making contact with the Kaiju Modeler himself, and learning, to our astonishment, that he lived a mere twenty miles away from us in Northeast Ohio. Matt E.'s been a great friend to us ever since, and we were really happy to see him this year.

Finally...Fake Monsters

Two years and one new home later, our G-Fantis poster is at last properly displayed!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Kindness

As the Awards Luncheon was wrapping up, we said a tentative good-bye to our guests. Here's Noriko Higuchi and Andy.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Lucky Winners

Door prizes are a part of the fun at the Awards Luncheon, and Andy and I both walked away with some cool stuff this year! As you can see, Andy ended up with a King Ghidorah model kit (which included a Bullmark t-shirt), and I received a Japanese language book about Toho Studios, whose cover was created by Shinji Higuchi, as well as a t-shirt that he had brought for the purpose of giving away. It has as its main feature the formula for a special effects explosion!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Shinji Speaks

The Mangled Skyscraper was presented to Shinji Higuchi, special effects wizard and director in his own right. In Mr. Higuchi's remarks, he mentioned that his G-FEST experience had rekindled his desire to make a kaiju film. You can imagine the response those words received.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Awards Luncheon

This year's Awards Luncheon was highlighted by the presence of our friends Jake and Tom. The luncheon is a nice part of the weekend--a chance to relax, enjoy a little more standard dinner fare and to let our special guests know how much they are appreciated.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Android M-11

Robert Scott Field is known within Godzilla fandom for his role in "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah," but among G-FEST-goers, he's even better known for being a genuine friend of the fans. With an endless stream of intriguing stories to tell and an affable nature to match, he's become a mainstay of the G-FEST experience and is invaluable for his abilities as a translator and goodwill ambassador. We certainly enjoyed his company on our trip to the Field Museum, and here he is at the CKC Dealer's Room table, with the M-11 t-shirt designed by Tom.

Now Playing: Gamera the Brave

We're screening "Gamera the Brave" today in Monsterland HQ, and are having a great time. In many ways, this is the perfect "kid's kaiju" movie, as it deals with raising a baby Gamera from the moment it hatches from the egg!

The special effects are exceptional and the story is straighforward and heartfelt. I suppose some might object to the cuteness of the heroic creature, but within the parameters of the story, it just works. The relationship between Toru and Toto/Gamera adds a new layer to the "friend of children" theme, since Toru actually saves Gamera's life early in the film!

A new villainous monster is introduced in "Gamera the Brave," a frilled lizard named Zedus, who has some effective, menacing scenes, like when he tail-whips Gamera into a high rise, then scales the building to finish the job with a hideous tongue-lashing.

"Gamera the Brave" is a winsome meditation on grief, friendship, and the powerful love that children have for their pets, starring a giant flying turtle. If you can read that sentence without rolling your eyes, you owe it to yourself to see this feel-good kaiju film!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Kids

If you are a Godzilla fan, you either are young or young at heart. It is pretty gratifying to see the "next generation" get excited about Japanese monsters and superheroes. It's even better when friendships develop around said movies and characters. Here's Jake, Jadon, and Andy, also known as the Cuyahoga Kaiju Kids, enjoying a moment in the Dealer's Room.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Toybox Treasures

Ever since seeing an Eiji Tsuburaya vinyl figure in the book "So Crazy Japanese Toys," I've wanted to add one to the collection, but never really thought I'd see one in person, much less get my hands on one. Leave it to Linda at Chibi Goji Toys to come through for us! This is far and away my favorite purchase from this year's Dealer's Room--the Eiji Project Bset, featuring Mr. Tsuburaya and Godzilla, Gomess and Jiras. Truly spectacular!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Mothra!

It seems to me that the single most heavily attended event at G-FEST is the Costume Parade. Entries such as this spectacular Mothra explain why. Contestants include everything from kids wearing masks and pajamas to suits that are almost indistinguishable from the "real thing."

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Silent Auction

One unheralded element of G-FEST is the chance to give charitably to good causes. "G-Fans helping G-Fans" collects funds to help families dealing with autism, and this year there was a special collection for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. One exciting way this works is through a silent auction, through which we won two really cool items. Kudos to our friend Dave Nunes, who coordinates this part of the Fest!

G-Fans raised nearly $5000 for Japan and over $2700 for North American families this year.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Tokasatsu Room

"Tokasatsu" is Japanese for "special effects," and G-FEST now has an entire "thread" devoted to creating self-produced special effects films. This portion of the G-FEST experience evolved naturally from the Costume Contest thread, and now short films have been produced by G-FEST attendees that can be located on You Tube.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Model Room IV

Biollante takes on Godzilla in this incredible diorama. If I'm not mistaken, this was voted the "People's Choice" award winner.