Literature and Academic Programming
Steven Brust -Literary Guest of Honor – Since 2003, Icon regularly invites and hosts a genre author of international stature. Among visiting authors from recent year are Carol Berg (the Rai-kirah trilogy), Tim Powers ("The Anubis Gates", " Last Call" and many more), Neil Gaiman (creator of grafic novel series "The Sandman", screenplay writer " Beowulf", " Stardust" and author of many books among which "American Gods", "Coraline" and others), Guy Gavriel Kay ("Tigana", "The Lions of Al-Rassan") and Orson Scott Card ("Ender's Game") all leading voices in worldwide literature. This years' guest is American science fiction and fantasy author Steven Brust.
An Academic Conference in collaboration with the Tel Aviv University – This year the lecture program at Icon goes up a level with the foundation of an academic conference in collaboration with The Department of English and American Literature in the Tel Aviv University and the The Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy. The conference is divided into two programs: the humanities lecture program, dealing with social sciences and the arts, and an exact sciences lecture program ("Between Science and Science Fiction") - a meeting ground for scientists and engineers and the avid readers, viewers and fans of science fiction. In accordance with the theme of the festival, the convention will deal with the subject of Revolutions.
Israeli SF Literature program - supported by the "Dreams in Aspamia" journal - Icon is a metting place between Israeli science fiction and fantasy authors and their readers, as well as Israeli authors and their visits peers from abroad. In previous years Icon has hosted artists, authors and literature professionals in lectures, panel discussions and workshops. Among our guests from recent years are authors Sarah Blau, Shimon Adaf , Hagar Yanai and Marit Ben-Israel, literary editors Didi Chanoch and Noa Menhaim, translators Dr. Emmanuel Lotem, Gili Bar-Hillel and many other creative and professional figures. This year Icon is glad and proud to host Sahra Blau, Shimon Adaf, Yoav Avni, Assaf Gavron, Vered Tuchterman, Gur Shomron and guest of honor of the academic conference, Yossi Sarid.
Final Voting and presentation of the Geffen Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (in the tradition of the Hugo Awards) and announcement of the winners of the Einat Peleg Short Stories Competition.
Presenting Fantasia 2000 - Volume 45 - the mythological Israeli peridocial "Fantasia 2000" was published for a few short years in the late 1970's and early 80's, a short but significant period for local SF aficionados. "Fantasia 2000" was the main source for science fiction and fantasy literature - both contemporary and classics, a life blood for updates and conversation within the small and emerging SF community and fandom in Israel. The periodical stopped publishing after volume 44, and over the past 20 years, the 44 published volumes have become collectors' items. During Icon, a special 45th volume will be launched and made available for purchase, produced and presented by staff members from the original journal – Eli Tene, the first and chief editor and publisher of "Fantasy 2000", Dr. Aharon Hauptman, one of the founders and editors of "Fantasy 2000". Also participating are Dr. Emmanuel Lotem and Eli Herstein.
"The Library" - joint literature venture with the Tzomet Sfraim chain of bookstores - Next to the many shelves of books, this centeral location will house beginners' workshops to the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and roleplaying games, launches and premieres and other events of a literary nature, opened to the general public and free of chrage.
Homage to Arthur C. Clark – Following the passing of one of the genres masters, Icon is holding a number of events in his memory, which will inspect and examine his oeuvre from different angles.
The Altneuland Program - In order to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, the Icon Festival is taking a look at the greatest Science Fiction project of all times: the State of Israel.
A Book Bazaar – Book stores and publishers offer the festivals attendants all their products in special prices. As part of this event a unique second hand books bazaar will take place.
Submission of Lectures and Themes for Discussion
Submissions for the Academic Conference and further information