Extending the Hugo Eligibility for I Remember the Future

[mabfan]

As many of you should already be aware, in 2014 a short film of my story "I Remember the Future" was released and shown at a handful of film festivals. The film has won a few awards, and I suspect that many folks (beyond myself) would like the opportunity to consider it for the Hugo Award. Alas, due presumably in part to its limited release (and possible other factors) it did not make it onto the Hugo ballot in 2015. However, Wordcon does allow for a work's elegibility to be extended should the Business Meeting pass a motion to that effect.

Although I will not be present at Sasquan, the Business Meeting will be considering the motion below. I'd like to be able to show that the motion has support by listing members who are willing to sign onto this proposal. If you would like to see the film given a second chance at earning a Hugo nomination and you are a member of Worldcon who is willing to have your name attached to this motion, please let me know and I will add your name. And if you plan to attend Sasquan, if all goes according to plan, you'll have the chance to screen the film there.

You can find out more about the film and watch the trailer here:

I Remember the Future (KAS Creations)

MOTION:

Short Title: I Remember the Future

Moved, to extend the Hugo eligibility for the movie “I Remember the Future” due to extremely limited distribution, as provided for in Section 3.4.3 of the WSFS Constitution.

Proposed by:

[list of names here]

This motion extends eligibility for the Hugo Award and requires a 2/3 vote.

Commentary:

The film “I Remember the Future” (KAS Creations) is a short student film that was directed by Klayton Stainer, an Australian filmmaker. It premiered at the 2014 Worldfest-Houston on April 6, 2014, and in the rest of the calendar year it was screened at only two other venues: the San Jose Short Film Festival (October 12, 2014) and a special meeting of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (November 15, 2014). Because of its limited release, very few members of Sasquan were actually able to screen the film before the deadline for nominating in the 2015 Hugo Awards. The film won a Grand Remi Award at Worldfest-Houston and has received other accolades since, which serve as testimony to the idea that the film would actually be worthy to be considered for a Hugo nomination.

In 2015, the film was screened at three science-fiction conventions (Arisia, Boskone, and Minicon) and more film festivals, thus giving it more exposure.

Furthermore, as of this writing the film has been submitted to Sasquan for the media program. We would like to give this film the chance it deserves to be considered by the members of MidAmericon II for the Hugo in Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.

Disclosure: The initial proponent of this motion is the writer whose Nebula-nominated short story served as the basis for this film.

Comments

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I feel like I'm missing something. If this were approved at-con, wouldn't most of the votes already have been submitted?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

This proposal is brought as a motion to the Sasquan Business Meeting later this year. If approved, the film would be eligible to be nominated for the 2016 Hugo awarded by MidAmericon II.

This motion is only necessary because the film failed to be nominated this year, and according to the Hugo rules, the clock starts ticking even with a film festival screening.

Let me know if this still isn't clear.

[ron_newman]

Are such motions common? If so, are they routinely approved?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I don't know the full history of this, alas. However, such motions are allowed for in the bylaws and have been proposed and passed before.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Ah, now it makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

Is this Hugo process certified as Sad Puppies-free?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I'm not part of that slate or any slate, if that's what you're asking.

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

Not asking, so much as wishing that voting for creative awards didn't have to deal with "slates" at all- especially THAT particular one. My hope is that they not hijack the film side of the award and leave it to merit- a criterion under which you'll do just fine if the script is faithful to your story.

[lisafeld.livejournal.com]

Since I'm now voting, feel free to add my name.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I will. Thank you!

[memphismaniac.livejournal.com]

You can add me (Michael Kingsley) to the list of co-sponsors. I am currently a Supporting Member of Sasquan (member number 809) but with a new part-time job, hope to have enough money to be able to convert to Attending and travel to Spokane.

And the eligibility extension is not hypothetical. The anime movie Summer Wars received an extension in 2011. See http://www.wsfs.org/bm/minutes-2011.pdf

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I will add your name. (Klay got in touch and let me know you were trying to reach me. I appreciate the effort you went to.)