dave lally

Hello again everyone!

For those of you that couldn't make it, the first ever Blaster awards were decided this weekend after screenings that took the audience's breath away!

First up, The Silver Blaster award was decided by our panel of judges, which was made up of film maker Maura McHugh, writer Mike Carey and superfan Dave Lally. After much deliberation, the Hungarian-made time travel story Elobb Utobb (Sooner Or Later) was chosen for this prestigious award.

The film is astounding in both its simplicity and complexity and truly deserves the award! The film was directed and written by Istvan Madarasz.

But there can only be one winner of the audience-chosen Golden Blaster award, and it certainly was a close one!

The visually stunning Irish film, The Silent City, has been chosen by a single vote to be this year's winner! Director Ruairí Robinson makes a very believable future war zone come to life with some of the best special effects we've ever seen!

Our audience prize was also given out to one lucky attendee, which was a voucher from the lovely people at The Secret Book & Record Store on Wexford St. in Dublin City Centre!

Congratulations are due to all of our award-winners, but every film was chosen by Mr. John Vaughan because it was a fantastically entertaining piece of sci-fi, fantasy or horror. They all deserve a huge round of applause or the nearest internet-based equivilent! :)

Hi everyone. We have some bad news and some good news.

Harry Harrison, author of The Stainless Steel Rat and long-time Octocon guest, has unfortunately had to cancel his trip for the weekend. He had a minor accident this morning and isn't able to travel over the next few days.

The good news is that he is expected to make a full recovery and we're looking forward to seeing him at future conventions!

Harry was looking forward massively to the convention and was very excited to see his good friend Dave Lally appear as a guest of honour for the first time, but Harry's health comes first and rightly so!

The other bit of good news is that Harry's bibliographer Paul Tomlinson will be at the convention, speaking on some panels and enjoying the con, so he can answer any pressing questions you may have and bring back all well wishes to Harry! Be sure to say hi when you see him!

We hope to see you all there!

Octocon