The Independent Games Festival (IGF) is now accepting submissions for the 18th annual indie games showcase. The IGF is the longest running festival, summit, and showcase for indie games. It is organized by the UBM Tech Game Network.
The 2016 IGF will be held at GDC 2016, March 14-18 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Indie game entries will be accepted from now till October 2. Finalists will be announced in January 2016. Their games will be playable at the IGF Pavilion at GDC from March 16-18. More than $50,000 in prizes will be awarded in various categories. Categories include Excellence in Visual Art, Audio, Design and Narrative Awards; the Seumas McNally Grand Prize; the Best Student Game Award; the special Nuovo Award to honor “abstract, shortform, and unconventional” games; and the IGF Audience Award. The Audience Award will be decided by public vote amongst the competition finalists.
Kelly Wallick, Indie MEGABOOTH founder, is the IGF’s new Chairperson. Former Chairperson Brandon Boyer will be taking on new projects in the indie games community, to be announced. Wallick said “I’m very excited for the opportunity to continue Brandon’s position as chairperson for the IGF. When I first started the Indie MEGABOOTH more than four years ago, I couldn’t imagine all the incredible opportunities it would provide me. With hundreds of industry professionals reviewing and discussing these entries, it allows the highest in peer recognition for games and developers of all styles and genres. It’s more important than ever to provide consistently high standards of work, promote positive role models, and reward innovation and forward thinking. I’m incredibly excited to share my ideas and values with my upcoming work at IGF!”
Some important dates to keep in mind if you’re interested in submitting your game to the Independent Games Festival:
· July 31, 2015 – Submissions are Open
· October 26, 2015 – Submission Deadline
· Early January, 2016 – IGF Finalists Announced
· March 14 – March 18, 2016 – Game Developers Conference 2016
· March 14 – March 15, 2016 – Independent Games Summit @ GDC 2016
· March 16 – March 18, 2016 – IGF Pavilion @ GDC 2016
· March 16, 2016 – IGF Awards Ceremony (Winners announced!)
