G-Fest, often typeset as G-FEST, is an annual convention devoted to the Godzilla film franchise and other kaiju (literally strange beast, also the name of the genre of Japanese giant monster movies) franchises such as Gamera and the Ultra Series. G-Fest is staged by Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd., and G-Fan magazine. It regularly features panels, contests, and theatrically screened films of interest to fans of Japanese monsters.

Actors, directors, special effects technicians, and other famous people who worked on Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera, and other kaiju movies in Japan are frequent guests at G-Fest. Often, the major guest is honored with the coveted "Mangled Skyscraper Award" for their lasting contributions to the kaiju genre.

G-Fest was founded in 1994 by J. D. Lees, publisher of G-Fan magazine and the G-Fan website, and the late John Rocco Roberto.

G-Fest features a Dealer's Room, a costume parade, a model show and competition, and a fan film competition. Other popular activities are film screenings (held at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Illinois) video game tournaments, children's activities, and autograph sessions. G-Fest also raises money for charitable causes.

In May 2020, Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd. made the decision to cancel G-Fest for the first time in its 27-year history due to restrictions on large gatherings imposed by Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its initial 27th annual convention was to be moved to the future date of July 2021, but was cancelled again, due to the continuing effect of COVID-19.

Conventions

1. G-Fest (Friends of G-Fan) '94

2. First public meeting of contributors to G-Fan, Howard Johnson Hotel, O'Hare Airport, Illinois

3. G-Fest (G-Con) '95

4. Date: August 18–20, 1995

5. First organized convention. The first two days were closed to the public until news reports spread then was open to the public on the last day (3rd)

6. Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

7. G-Fest (G-Con) '96

8. Guests: Kenpachiro Satsuma, Haruo Nakajima

9. Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

10. G-Fest (G-Con) '97

11. Guests: Don Glut, Marc Cerasini, Bob Eggleton, Stuart Galbraith IV, David Kalat, Steve Ryfle

12. Wyndham Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

13. G-Fest '98

14. Guests: William Stout, Mike Fredericks, Yoshikazu Ishii, Gene Rizzardi

15. Wyndham Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

16. G-Fest '99

17. Date: July 23–25, 1999

18. Guests: Noriaki Yuasa, Shusuke Kaneko, Wataru Mimura, Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Robert Scott Field, Volker Engel, Forrest J. Ackerman, Peter Fernandez, Corrine Orr, August Ragone, Norman England, Hisataka Kitaoka (now Ryuki Kitaoka), Don Glut

19. Films: Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris (US premiere), Ultraman Gaia: The Battle in Hyperspace

20. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Forrest J. Ackerman

21. Burbank Hilton, Burbank, California

22. G-Fest 2000

23. Date: Oct 14–16, 2000

24. Guests: Sadamasa Arikawa, Noriaki Yuasa, Koichi Kawakita, Haruo Nakajima, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Megumi Odaka, Keita Amemiya, Yuji Sakai, Hisataka Kitaoka (now Ryuki Kitaoka), August Ragone, Mach Fumiake, Robert Scott Field,

25. Films: Godzilla (1954), Moon Over Tao (1997), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Son of Godzilla, Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey, Ring (1998), Rebirth of Mothra III, Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey

26. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Koichi Kawakita

27. Hollywood Roosevelt, Los Angeles, California

28. G-Fest '01

29. Date: July 13–15, 2001

30. Guests: Shinichi Wakasa, Greg Shoemaker, Bob Eggleton, Robert Scott Field

31. Films: Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

32. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Greg Shoemaker

33. Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

34. G-Fest '02

35. Date: July 12–14, 2002

36. Guests: Koichi Kawakita, Hurricane Ryu, Robert Scott Field

37. Films: Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Gamera 2: Attack of Legion, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

38. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Stan G. Hyde

39. Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

40. G-Fest X

41. Date: July 18–20, 2003

42. Guests: Noriaki Yuasa, Carl Craig, Yoshikazu Ishii, Robert Scott Field

43. Films: Battle in Outer Space, Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

44. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Noriaki Yuasa

45. Radisson Hotel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

46. G-Fest XI

47. Date: July 9–11, 2004

48. Guests: Teruyoshi Nakano, Robert Scott Field, Brian Thomas

49. Films: Monster Zero, Terror of Mechagodzilla, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

50. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Teruyoshi Nakano

51. Holiday Inn O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

52. G-Fest XII

53. Date: July 8–10, 2005

54. Guests: Yoshimitsu Banno, Yoshikazu Ishii, Carl Craig, Robert Scott Field, Robert Conte

55. Films: The H-Man, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla: Final Wars

56. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Yoshikazu Ishii

57. Crowne Plaza O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

58. G-Fest XIII

59. Date: July 7–9, 2006

60. Guests: Kazuki Ōmori, Yoshikazu Ishii, Robert Scott Field, Robert Conte

61. Films: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, Negadon: The Monster from Mars, Gamera the Brave

62. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Robert Scott Field

63. Crowne Plaza O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

64. G-Fest XIV

65. Date: July 6–8, 2007

66. Guests: Rhodes Reason, Shelley Sweeney, Carl Craig, Robert Scott Field, Don Glut and Reiko Yamada

67. Saturday Afternoon Concert Performed by: Rieko Wada, Tomomi Matsumura, Shetoshi Yamada, Marcus Dunleavy

68. Films: King Kong Escapes, King Kong vs. Godzilla

69. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Don Glut

70. Crowne Plaza O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

71. G-Fest XV

72. Date: July 4–6, 2008

73. Guests: Haruo Nakajima, Don Frye, August Ragone, Robert Scott Field, Don Glut, Jörg Buttgereit

74. Films: Matango, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. Biollante, Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon, and Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

75. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Haruo Nakajima

76. Crowne Plaza O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

77. G-Fest XVI

78. Date: July 3–5, 2009

79. Guests: Kenji Sahara, Robert Scott Field, August Ragone, David Kalat

80. Films: Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, The Mysterians, Mothra vs. Godzilla, The Monster X Strikes Back/Attack the G8 Summit

81. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Kenji Sahara

82. Crowne Plaza O'Hare International, Rosemont, Illinois

83. G-Fest XVII

84. Date: July 9–11, 2010

85. Guests: Akira Takarada, Bob Eggleton, Robert Scott Field, William M. Tsutsui, David Kalat, Damon Foster

86. Films: Son of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla 2000, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, Godzilla vs the Sea Monster, Godzilla (1954)

87. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Akira Takarada

88. Rosemont Hotel at O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

89. G-Fest XVIII

90. Date: July 15–17, 2011

91. Guests: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Shinji Higuchi, Hiroshi Sagae, Robert Scott Field, August Ragone

92. Films: Gamera: Super Monster, Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna & Ultraman Gaia: Battle in Hyperspace, Gamera 2: Advent of Legion

93. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Shinji Higuchi

94. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

95. G-Fest XIX

96. Date: July 13–15, 2012

97. Guests: Akira Takarada, Satoshi Furuya, Robert Scott Field, Svengoolie

98. Films: King Kong (1933), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Gorgo, Gamera, Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

99. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Bin "Satoshi" Furuya

100. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

101. G-Fest XX

102. Date: July 12–14, 2013

103. Guests: Tsutomu Kitagawa, Shinichi Wakasa, Shizuo Nakajima, Robert Scott Field, Frank H Woodward, Cleve Hall

104. Films: 20 Million Miles to Earth, Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris, Gamera vs. Gyaos, The X From Outer Space, Pacific Rim (Midnight showing), Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

105. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Shinichi Wakasa

106. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

107. G-Fest XXI

108. Date: July 11–13, 2014

109. Guests: Koichi Kawakita, Tomoko Ai, Katsuhiko Sasaki, Hiroshi Sagae, Don Frye, Robert Scott Field, Shinpei Hayashiya

110. Films: King Kong (1976), King Kong Lives, Gamera vs. Barugon, Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

111. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Bob Eggleton

112. G-FAN Hall of Fame inductees: Tim Bean, John DeSentis and Chris Oglio

113. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

114. G-Fest XXII

115. Date: July 10–12, 2015

116. Guests: Masaaki Tezuka, Noboru Kaneko, August Ragone, Robert Scott Field, Kow Otani

117. Films: Them!, The Deadly Mantis, Gamera vs. Jiger, Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Godzilla vs. Biollante, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

118. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Masaaki Tezuka

119. G-FAN Hall of Fame inductees: August Ragone, Matt Frank, and Tom Tvrdik

120. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

121. G-Fest XXIII

122. Date: July 15–17, 2016

123. Guests: Akira Takarada, Linda Miller, Satoshi Furuya, Hiroko Sakurai, Robert Scott Field, August Ragone, Yoshikazu Ishii, Hiroshi Sagae, Carl Craig, Sojiro Uchino, Tony Isabella, C. Martin Croker

124. Films: King Kong Escapes, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), Gamera vs. Viras, The Green Slime, Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy

125. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Hiroko Sakurai

126. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Damon Foster, Ed Godziszewski, and John Roberto (posthumously)

127. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

128. G-Fest XXIV

129. Date: July 14–16, 2017

130. Guests: Michiru Ōshima, Yuji Kaida, Shinji Higuchi, Ryuki Kitaoka, Kazuhiro Nakagawa, Kiyotaka Taguchi, Robert Scott Field, Tony Isabella

131. Films: King Kong vs. Godzilla, D-War, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island, Shin Godzilla

132. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Michiru Ōshima

133. G-FAN Lifetime Achievement Award presented to: Shinji Higuchi

134. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Jeff Horne, Sean Linkenback, and Kyle Yount

135. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

136. G-Fest XXV

137. Date: July 13–15, 2018

138. Guests: Megumi Odaka, Keizo Murase, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Don Frye, Gene Rizzardi

139. Films: The Valley of Gwangi, Dinosaurus!, The Mighty Peking Man, Pacific Rim Uprising, Rampage, Godzilla vs. Mothra

140. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Megumi Odaka, Keizo Murase, Kenpachiro Satsuma

141. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Skip Peel, David Nunes, Paul Gavins

142. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

143. G-Fest XXVI

144. Date: July 12–14, 2019

145. Guests: Akira Takarada, Shusuke Kaneko, Peggy Neal, Yoshikazu Ishii, Sonoe Nakajima

146. Films: All Monsters Attack, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, The X from Outer Space, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), Invasion of Astro-Monster, Linking Love (2017)

147. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: Shusuke Kaneko

148. G-FAN Lifetime Achievement Award presented to: Akira Takarada

149. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Sonoe Nakajima, the Baioa Family, Martin Arlt

150. Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

151. G-Fest XXVII

152. Date: July 15-17, 2022

153. Guests: Hiroyuki Kawase, Tomoko Ai

154. Films: Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs the Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Kong, Terror of Mechagodzilla

155. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Steve Ryfle, Diane Dougherty, Hiroshi Sagae

156. Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

157. G-Fest XXVIII

158. Date: July 14-16, 2023

159. Guests: Yumiko Shaku, Don Frye, Linda Jo Miller, T.J. Storm

160. Films: Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla (1998), Godzilla Raids Again, Shin Ultraman, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, Godzilla (2014)

161. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Andre Steele, Bill Gudmundson, Allan DeBus

162. Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

163. G-Fest XXIX

164. Date: July 12-14, 2024

165. Guests: Rie Ōta, Allan Henry, Toshio Miike, Takuji Yamada, James Groman, Jeffrey Angles, Kiyotaka Taguchi

166. Films: Mothra vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, Godzilla: Final Wars, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

167. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Tristan Domay, Nicholas Cloutier, Stan Hyde

168. Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

169. G-Fest XXX

170. Date: July 11-13, 2025

171. Guests: Bin Furuya, Shinichi Wakasa, Carl Craig, Hiroko Sakurai, Kiyotaka Taguchi, Kurt Carley, Noboru Kaneko, Yoshiro Uchida

172. Films: Frankenstein Conquers The World, The War of the Gargantuas, Godzilla vs Destoroyah, Terror of Mechagodzilla, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, Godzilla: King of the Monsters

173. Mangled Skyscraper Award presented to: JD Lees

174. G-FAN Lifetime Achievement Award presented to: Koichi Kawakita

175. G-FAN Hall of Fame Award inductees: Mark and Sue Matzke, Dawn McKechnie, Joyce Boss

176. Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

G-Fest XXXI

• Date: July 10-12, 2026

Notes

External links

• Official G-FAN / G-FEST website