<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films is a non-profit organization founded in 1972 by Dr. Donald A. Reed. The organization emerged from The Count Dracula Society formed in 1962. The goal of the Count Dracula Society was to recognize and honor gothic film, television and literature. The society hosted several banquets honoring contributers to the genre such as Vincent Price, Darren McGavin, Gene Roddenberry and Robert Bloch.

In 1972, Reed, in cooperation with USC students Richard Correll, Randal Kleiser, and Alan White founded the organization that became The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. One of the organizations earliest members, was Robert Zemeckis.

The Academy began granting awards for achievement in science fiction, fantasy & horror which took the form of certificates. Kurt Vonnegut and William Marshall were the first recipients of the award. Dr. Reed was approached by a production company to televise the awards and The Science Fiction Film Awards were created, airing in syndication for the first time in 1978. The Saturn Award statuette was first presented in 1978.

After three years on the air, the Saturn Awards lost their television deal. Despite several attempts, the awards ceremony never returned to television. Nevertheless, the Academy continued to give out awards and, in 2008, celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Also See

Saturn Award