DeepCon


DeepCon is an Italian science fiction, fantasy and horror fan convention, covering multiple entertainment forms and media, mixed with a dose of actual, real-world science.

History

The last two decades of the twentieth century were a relatively difficult time for science fiction in Italy, regardless of medium. Thus DeepCon was conceived to promote its visibility and viability as a genre, as well as a general SF fan convention.
Collaborations were sought with television stations, distributors and authoring firms, both for promotion and for panels explaining the behind-the-scenes work needed in order to air or sell a TV show or a movie. By the same token, TV and film actors and crew were present at all of the past DeepCons: actors, make-up artists, pre-production and post-production crew, scriptwriters, and so on.
Literature was not neglected, either. For several years, the convention's organizing committee was entrusted by WorldSF Italia with running within DeepCon. Since then, publishers, translators, international artists and writers participate and roam the venue.
As a highlight, parent Italian fan club Deep Space One was awarded for 2009 by European Science Fiction Society the privilege of organizing Eurocon, with guests from all over the continent.
By that time, the SF focus of the convention had already broadened to include fantasy and horror as well.
Since most attendees and even some guests had a strong interest in actual science, efforts were made to officially include scientific and quasi-scientific topics in the program: aeronautics, astronautics, astronomy, astrophysics, computer science, archaeology, the paranormal. Members of ASI, NASA, Northrop, CICAP were guests multiple times.

Typical features

EditionStarting dateAnnounced guests
DeepCon 1
DeepCon 2
DeepCon 3 + Italcon 28
DeepCon 4
DeepCon 5 + Italcon 30 + Xenacon 1
DeepCon 6 + Italcon 31
DeepCon 7 + Italcon 32
DeepCon 8 + Italcon 33
DeepCon 9 + Italcon 34
DeepCon 10 + Eurocon 2009 + Italcon 35
DeepCon 11 + Italcon 36
DeepCon 12
DeepCon 13
DeepCon 14
DeepCon 15
DeepCon 16
DeepCon 17
DeepCon 18
DeepCon 19
DeepCon 20
DeepCon 21TBD
DeepCon 22 + Eurocon 2021 + Italcon 47TBD