Conflux Science Fiction Convention

Infobox Convention
name = Conflux Science Fiction Convention


caption =
status =
genre = Multi-genre
venue =
location = Canberra
country = Australia
first = 2004
last =
organizer =
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attendance =
website = http://www.conflux.org.au

The Conflux Science Fiction Convention is an annual convention that celebrates everything to do with science fiction, fantasy, horror, and everything in between.

The convention is held in Canberra, Australia. So far, four Conflux Conventions have been held:

Conflux 1 (2004 Australian Natcon): April, 2004
Conflux 2: April, 2005
Conflux 3: June, 2006
Conflux 4: September 28 to October 1, 2007
Conflux 5: October 3 to 6, 2008

Conflux has built on the CSFcons (Canberra Science Fiction Conventions), held in the early noughties.

Conflux 1, 2004

Conflux 1 was the Australian National Science Fiction Convention (Natcon) for 2004. It was the 43rd Natcon.

Chaired by Donna Maree Hanson, the guests were Gregory Benford, Sean McMullen and Karen Herkes. It was held at Rydges Lakeside hotel and went for three and a half days.

The convention was extremely well-received, with Greg Benford being quoted as saying "Thanks so much for one of the best cons I've ever seen - & I've been to hundreds!" Sean McMullen's feedback was "We are all now doomed to rate other cons as fractions of Conflux, the perfect con. I had a truly fabulous time. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make Conflux so good." Award winning artist Nick Stathopoulos said "Conflux was like the old style cons I dreamed about in the past. It's really one of the best cons I've ever attended."

As part of Conflux 1, the 2004 Ditmar Award were presented. The winners were

1. Professional Categories
Novel The Etched City by Kirsten Bishop;
Novella: La Sentinelle by Lucy Sussex;
Short Story: Room for Improvement by Trudi Canavan;
Collected Work: Tie between Agog! Terrific Tales ed. Catriona Sparks and Forever Shores ed. Peter McNamara & Margaret Winch;
Best Artwork: Agog! Terrific Tales, Catriona Sparks.
2. Fannish Categories
Fan Writer: Bruce Gillespie;
Fan Artist:Les Petersen;
Fan Production: Elsewhere Launch, CSFG;
Fanzine: The Australian SF Bullsheet, Edwina Harvey & Edwin Scribner.
3. Special Award Categories
The William Atheling Jr. Award: Bruce Gillespie;
Best New Talent: Kirsten Bishop.

Features of Conflux 1 were the performance of two short plays, a short story competition, the art show and the real science stream.

Conflux 2, 2005

Again chaired by Donna Maree Hanson, the guests this time were Jennifer Fallon, Maxine McArthur, Terry Dowling and Jackie French.

A smaller con, it continues to build on the reputation of Conflux as a writer's con, with a number of Australia's top writers in attendance. It was again held at Rydges Lakeside, for two and a half days. Features were the art show, the dealers room and the masquerade.

Conflux 3, 2006

Conflux 3 was chaired by Trevor Stafford, and became one of the largest science fiction events ever held in Australia. An incredible 14 guests, and three virtual guests who appeared via telephone link - Arthur C Clarke, Ray Bradbury and Lloyd Alexander.

A massive art show with $6000 in prizes was a highlight of the convention, an authentic medieval feast was well-received and the film festival was able to be shown on a full size screen, with $1000 in prizes.

The convention was held at two sites - the National Museum of Australia was the site of the panel programming (four streams, with over 100 panel sessions), one of the dealers rooms and the book launches. Rydges Lakeside was the site of the gaming (including the regional finals of Magic the Gathering), workshops, the other dealers room, the mass book signing, the medieval feast and the masquerade.

Conflux 3 saw some inventive and original things tried, and provided a unique experience for Australian con-goers.

Conflux 4, 2007

Conflux 4 was chaired by Nicole R Murphy and featured eight guests: Graham Joyce, Kevin J Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, Garth Nix, Simon Brown, Jonathan Strahan, Kaaron Warren and Donna Maree Hanson.

Conflux 4 featured 12 workshops, a short story competition, mass book signing, a Regency Gothic banquet and a masquerade.

The convention began with a series of workshops on Friday, followed by the opening ceremony and the great debate, during which it was decided that the evil overlord is more interesting than the weapon-wielding hero. Throughout the weekend, more than 50 panels took place, all of which have been podcast at the Conflux website http://www.conflux.org.au

At the end of the convention, it was announced that Conflux 5 would take place in 2008

Conflux 5, 2008

Conflux 5 will be chaired by Karen Herkes and will be held at a new venue, the Marque Hotel on Northbourne Avenue in Canberra. Guests are Sharyn November, Jack Dann, Catriona Sparks, Gillian Polack and Bruce Gillespie.

Conflux 5 will be hosting 13 workshops, about 60 panel sessions, and this year's dinner will be set in Prohibition New York. A short story competition and art show will be featured.