Every year Icon offers a large variety of lectures, panels and discussions on a wide range of subjects relating to the general theme - intended for both accidental visitors and ”hardcore“ fans.

The genres of science fiction and fantasy present us with many questions and dilemmas in various fields, providing fields of interest and bases for research for physicists and sociologists, bio-technologists ad anthropologists, astronomers and philosophers.  Members of these academic circles grace Icon with rich and riveting lectures — whether dealing with science and technology or with the social sciences and humanities.

Alongside lectures on academic studies, Icon offers its visitors lectures and discussions about works in the genre, given by experts in the various fields of fandom. Such lectures include in-depth explorations of popular literary works (such as Tolkein, Harry Potter and Dune), television productions (Star Trek, Babylon 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Transformers, Battlestar Galactica and others) or cinematic pieces (The Matrix, Star Wars and more).

Last but far from least, a major aim of the Icon Festival is cultivation and promotion of creative work in the genres in general and Israeli creative work in particular. Some of the ways in which this aim is achieved is by providing a platform for discussion about the creative process, by hosting workshops on creative writing, translating, editing, and illustration and drawing, by arranging panels in which the audience can meet Israeli artists and their audience, and by presenting new artworks in literature, film and television.

The festival management is honored to invite lecturers and students of advanced degrees from all fields to submit proposals for lectures in the following fields:

• a work of art – from literature, film, cinema or other media, in the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror;
• Scientific, historical or social subjects, relating to the aforementioned genres;
• Dreams – from the artistic, mythological, psychological, neurological or other aspect.

The length of a lecture will be two academic hours (90 minutes).

Proposals should be sent to the lecture coordinator at lectures@icon.org.il.