74th World Science Fiction Convention
| MidAmeriCon II, the 74th World Science Fiction Convention | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Venue | Bartle Hall Convention Center |
| Location(s) | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | August 17–21, 2016 |
| Organized by | Mid American Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions, Inc. |
| Filing status | 501(c)(3) non-profit |
| Website | midamericon2.org |
The 74th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as MidAmeriCon II, was held August 17–21, 2016, at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in downtown, Kansas City, Missouri. Its location was selected on August 17, 2014 by the members of the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention in London.
The convention was organized by Mid American Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions, Inc., and was chaired by Ruth Lichtwardt and co-chaired by Diane Lacey.[1] The convention's name, by established Worldcon tradition, follows after the first MidAmeriCon, the 34th World Science Fiction Convention, held in Kansas City in 1976.
Guests of honor
The announced Guests of Honor for MidAmericon II are artist Kinuko Y. Craft, authors Tamora Pierce and Michael Swanwick, plus editors Patrick Nielsen Hayden and Teresa Nielsen Hayden. Pat Cadigan served as Toastmaster.[1]
Site selection
By the February 2014 deadline, only two committees had announced bids to host the 74th World Science Fiction Convention: "KC in 2016" for August 17–21, 2016, at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and "Beijing in 2016" for August 14–19, 2016, at the China National Convention Center. Kansas City bid co-chairs Diane Lacey, Ruth Lichtwardt, and Jeff Orth represented the non-profit Mid American Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions, Inc.[2] Of the 758 votes cast by Loncon 3 members, Kansas City won the contest with 651 votes over Beijing with 70 votes.[3] "None of the above" received 4 votes while other sites, including Minneapolis, Boston, Norway, Helsinki, and Sitka, Alaska, received 1 or 2 votes each. If Beijing had been selected, this would have been the first Worldcon in China and first in mainland Asia.[4]
Awards
The Hugo Awards, named after pioneering editor Hugo Gernsback, are presented every year for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. Results are based on the ballots submitted by members of the World Science Fiction Society. Other awards, including the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, are also presented each year at the Worldcon.[5] MidAmeriCon II will also present Retro Hugos for the calendar year 1940, on the 75th anniversary of the 3rd World Science Fiction Convention held in Denver because, having not yet been established, no Hugo Awards were presented in 1941.[5]
2016 Hugo Awards
The 74th World Science Fiction Convention, MidAmeriCon II, announced the winners of the 2016 Hugo Awards at a ceremony on the evening of Saturday, August 20, 2016. The ceremony was hosted by Toastmaster, Pat Cadigan, assisted by Jan Siegel. 3,130 valid final ballots were received and counted.
BEST NOVEL: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
BEST NOVELLA: "Binti" by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com)
BEST NOVELETTE: “Folding Beijing” by Hao Jingfang, trans. Ken Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Jan-Feb 2015)
BEST SHORT STORY: “Cat Pictures Please” by Naomi Kritzer (Clarkesworld, January 2015)
BEST RELATED WORK: No Award
BEST GRAPHIC STORY: The Sandman: Overture written by Neil Gaiman, art by J.H. Williams III (Vertigo)
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, LONG FORM: The Martian screenplay by Drew Goddard, directed by Ridley Scott (Scott Free Productions; Kinberg Genre; TSG Entertainment; 20th Century Fox)
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, SHORT FORM: Jessica Jones: “AKA Smile” written by Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, and Jamie King, directed by Michael Rymer (Marvel Television; ABC Studios; Tall Girls Productions; Netflix)
BEST EDITOR, SHORT FORM: Ellen Datlow
BEST EDITOR, LONG FORM: Sheila E. Gilbert
BEST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST: Abigail Larson
BEST SEMIPROZINE: Uncanny Magazine edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Michi Trota, and Erika Ensign & Steven Schapansky
BEST FANZINE: File 770 edited by Mike Glyer
BEST FANCAST: No Award
BEST FAN WRITER: Mike Glyer
BEST FAN ARTIST: Steve Stiles
The 2016 Hugo Award trophy base was designed by Sarah Felix.
The John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: (Not a Hugo Award, but administered along with the Hugos) Andy Weir
References
- ^ a b Silver, Steven H (August 17, 2014). "Worldcon to KC". SF Site. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ Glyer, Mike (September 26, 2012). "Future Worldcon Bidders". File 770. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- ^ Glyer, Mike (August 17, 2014). "Kansas City Wins 2016 Worldcon Race". File 770. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ^ "2016 Site Selection". London: 72nd World Science Fiction Convention. February 16, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ a b "Hugo Award FAQ". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Retrieved August 17, 2014.