78th World Science Fiction Convention explained

CoNZealand, the 78th World Science Fiction Convention
Genre:	Science fiction
Venue:	virtual / telepresence
Location:	Wellington (virtual)
Country:	New Zealand
Dates:	29 July – 2 August 2020
Prev:	Dublin 2019
Next:	DisCon III
Website:	conzealand.nz (archived)

The 78th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as CoNZealand, was held from 29 July to 2 August 2020. It was planned to be held at the TSB Arena and Shed 6, Intercontinental Hotel, Michael Fowler Center, in Wellington, New Zealand. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers announced in March 2020 that it would be held as a virtual convention, with no on-site attendance.

Participants

Guests of Honour

Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon
Greg Broadmore
Rose Mitchell
George R. R. Martin (toastmaster)

Awards

2020 Hugo Awards

The winners were:

Best Novel: A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine
Best Novella: This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Best Novelette: "Emergency Skin", by N. K. Jemisin
Best Short Story: "As the Last I May Know", by S. L. Huang
Best Series: The Expanse, by James S. A. Corey
Best Related Work: "2019 John W. Campbell Award Acceptance Speech", by Jeannette Ng
Best Graphic Story: LaGuardia, written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford, colours by James Devlin
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Good Omens, written by Neil Gaiman, directed by Douglas Mackinnon
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: The Good Place: "The Answer", written by Daniel Schofield, directed by Valeria Migliassi Collins
Best Professional Editor, Long Form: Navah Wolfe
Best Professional Editor, Short Form: Ellen Datlow
Best Professional Artist: John Picacio
Best Semiprozine: Uncanny Magazine
Best Fanzine: The Book Smugglers
Best Fancast: Our Opinions Are Correct, presented by Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders
Best Fan Writer: Bogi Takács
Best Fan Artist: Elise Matthesen

Other awards

The winners were:

Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book: Catfishing on CatNet, by Naomi Kritzer
Astounding Award for Best New Writer: R. F. Kuang

Site selection

New Zealand in 2020 was the only bid which officially filed to host the 78th World Science Fiction Convention, and its selection was confirmed by vote of the members of the 76th World Science Fiction Convention in San José.

After the vote, the bid announced the name of their convention was CoNZealand, and that it was to be held on 29 July–2 August 2020, in Wellington, New Zealand. The announcement was accompanied by a reveal video announcing the Guests of Honour, and a short message from Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.