Event Recap: G-Fest XXIII

Location: Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare

Dates: July 15 – 17

What Is G-Fest: G-FEST is the largest regular gathering of Godzilla and Japanese monster fans in the world. Held each summer, it typically attracts more than 1000 attendees, but has seen a gradual increase in attendance over the past few years.

G-FEST is a family-oriented convention which caters to a wide variety of interests within the kaiju genre. G-FEST features presentations and Q & A sessions by actors and crew from the Japanese Godzilla films, fan presentations on topics of interest, contests and gaming, new and classic kaiju movies, the western world’s largest kaiju-oriented dealers room, and lots of fun and camaraderie.

G-Fest is the offshoot of the popular G-Fan magazine and Daikaiju Enterprises (DKE) is the publisher of the mag and organizer of G-Fest. Editor and Publisher of G-Fan Magazine, J.D. Lees is also the organizer of the convention and year after year puts everything into putting on a great convention for the fans, so hats off to J.D. and all of the event staff for their tireless efforts again this year.

G-Fest XXIII was packed to the gills with fans of the Kaiju genre and especially Godzilla on the day I attended the fest (Saturday). Saturday is usually the biggest day of the con and this one was no different.

Also of note to fans was the annual Kaiju Eiga Film Festival that is held off-site at the historic Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, IL., which runs Thursday through Saturday nights. This year the films screened included: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah 1991, Gamera vs. Viras, Yongary, Monster from the Deep, The Green Slime, King Kong Escapes, Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend. Some of the screenings included celebrity appearances.

There is so much to do and see here and what I like the best about the convention is that it’s a family friendly event. I brought along my 9 year-old son for the first time and he was beside himself with joy at all the marvels to see, of course he especially liked the massive dealers room.

For this reporter, I’m always interested to see the celebrity guests the event lines up. This year’s guest list was extraordinarily impressive. First up was Akira Takarada who is credited as being one of the most recognizable actors associated with the Godzilla film series. Takarada starred in the original 1954 Gojira film and has starred in numerous other Godzilla and Toho films since.

On Saturday, Takarada was involved in a one-hour panel interview in the large ballroom. I’ve seen Mr. Takarada talk before at previous G-Fest appearances and he never ceases to impress with his colorful anecdotes about his time working for Toho and his G-film appearances. The panel interview was led by G-Fan editor, J.D. Lees and interpreted by American actor Robert Scott Field, who also starred in the 1991 film Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. Field is a staple of the G-Fest cons every year and serves as interpreter to the Japanese guests who do not speak English well. The ballroom was packed to capacity with fans sitting on the floor in the back as well. The hour-long panel went by so quick, it was over before I knew it. I was in awe listening and laying eyes on a man who appeared in the legendary original Gojira film right before me.

A couple of hours later was the Linda Miller panel. This marked Miller’s first appearance at the G-Fest con. Miller is an American actress who starred in only one G-film and one other Toho film. She starred in 1967’s King Kong Escapes and also appeared in The Green Slime for Toho. This was also an hour-long interview panel moderated by J.D. Lees. Miller’s story is an amazing one. She came across as so genuine and humble, in awe at the fans for even wanting to hear her talk or meet her, she just couldn’t believe the appreciation for her. As I said, her story is an amazing one. She was an American model in Japan during the 1960’s working and just happened to catch the eye of Arthur Rankin jr., one-half of the famed Rankin-Bass (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town) production company. He was a producer on the American version of King Kong Escapes for Toho. He saw her modeling work in a Japanese magazine and hired her for the female lead in the film. It was a true honor and privilege to hear Miller speak about her time on the film.

Other guests of honor included: Bin Furuya (Ultraman suit actor), Hiroko Sakurai (Ultraman actress), Yoshikazu Ishii (director & special effects director), Hiroshi Sagae (film and toy sculptor), August Ragone (Godzilla and Kaiju expert), Sojiro Uchino (super-fan & actor), Carl Craig (actor), Tony Isabella (comics writer).

The massive dealers room was probably on everyone’s must see list for the con. It was probably the largest collection of Godzilla and kaiju (Japanese monsters) dealers ever assembled in the world. Walking in there is like a kid entering a candy store for the first time. There was anything a Godzilla fan could ever want but the downside is that you would need an endless amount of money for sure.

Other points of interest at the con include Kaiju Assault/Card Tournament, an artist’s gallery, a video gaming tournament, panels on War of the Gargantuas film 50^th anniversary, Ultraman, suit actors speaking, Godzilla music samples, Godzilla modelers, Gamera panels, and just so much more. There was more than enough to keep the fans happy from morning till night here.

For fans of Godzilla, Toho films, and giant monsters in general, there is nothing like the G-Fest conventions. The organizers and staff go all-out to make sure every year tops the previous one and this year was no exception. If you’re ever in Chicago during the middle of July, make it a point to attend the G-Fest convention because it will definitely be one of the best times you’ve ever had at a convention to be sure.

A very special thanks go out to J.D. Lees and Jeff Horne for my press credentials!