Last month, Northern Fan Con Society was approved for a $5,000 Fabulous Festivals and Events grant to support their annual convention, taking place over three days in May. This event welcomes celebrities and influential people in film, books, animation and entertainment, drawing an average of 2,500 people a year to the Prince George venue.
With their first event hosted in 2015, Northern Fan Con has established itself as a key festival on Northern B.C.’s event calendar. Over the years, they have attracted more than 100 celebrity guests to Prince George, including William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols and Kevin Smith. These high-profile guests, along with workshops, competitions and activities, have attracted thousands of visitors to Prince George, benefiting the local economy year after year.
“Northern Fan Con has worked hard to establish itself a cornerstone festival for Northern B.C. and this grant funding will help us provide top-notch entertainment and educational opportunities for attendees,” Lonnie Eckardt, board president, Northern Fan Con Society. “Accessing grants and sponsorships goes a long way in helping our team provide programs that highlight literary, music, and film industry works of art and culture. Fan Con has generated millions of dollars in economic benefit for Prince George and provides residents with an opportunity to share their enthusiasm for film, books, animation, cosplay, entertainment, and all things pop culture.”
Beyond providing a quality festival experience for guests, Northern Fan Con has developed and maintained an outreach program that provides access to the event to those who may not otherwise be able to attend.
In recent years, they have introduced a filmmaker workshop series that pairs high level industry leaders with their local, emerging counterparts. This investment in local talents provides opportunities for Northern B.C. residents and increases the number of skilled people available for work in local productions.
Northern Development’s $5,000 grant will be used to develop learning opportunities and provide entertainment for attendees. The Fabulous Festivals and Events program provides grants of $2,500 or $5,000 to unique Northern B.C. events with budgets of less than $50,000 and more than $50,000, respectively. Applications are accepted and reviewed on an on-going basis.
