Organizers of the Independent Games Festival China, which runs in conjunction with the Game Developers Conference China, have officially announced its call for indie game submissions from the pan-Pacific area now through Wednesday, September 15.

Following on its 2009 success, GDC China -- part of the UBM TechWeb network, as is this website -- will continue to host the three main elements of IGF China, including the Independent Games Summit, which provides valuable conference sessions specializing in the challenges of independent game development.

These include the Independent Games Festival Pavilion, an onsite exhibition of the very best in local indie games, and the Independent Games Festival Awards, which honors the work of the talented pool of local independent game developers.

The 2010 IGF Main Competition will give out awards in five categories, including Best Game, Mobile Best Game, Excellence in Audio, Excellence in Technology, and Excellence in Visual Arts. Finalists in all categories will receive VIP and expo passes to attend GDC China and the IGF awards ceremony on December 5, 2010.

Finalists -- who will compete for RMB 20,000 ($3,000) will be chosen by a panel of expert jurors including Kevin Li (CEO, TipCat Interactive); Monte Singman (Main Coordinator, IGDA Shanghai Chapter); Xubo Yang (Director of Digital Art Lab and Assistant Professor; Shanghai Jiaotong University's School of Software), and jury chairman Simon Carless, IGF Chairman Emeritus and Global Brand Director of Game Developer magazine and Gamasutra.

Last year's event saw more than 200 entries for the Main Competition and the Student Competition, including entries from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Pakistan, Australia, South Korea, India and more. Winners from last year include titles like acclaimed Best Game winner Captain Forever (Farbs – Australia), Donovo (Magic Day Studio – China) for Excellence in Art Direction, HurricaneX2 (You Yun Tech – China) for Technical Excellence and Armor Valley (Protege Production – Singapore) for Excellence in Audio.

Key dates for IGF China include:

* July 7th, 2010 – Submissions are Open
* September 15th, 2010, - Submission Deadline
* October 25th, 2010 – Finalist Announced
* December 5th-7th, 2010 – Game Developers Conference China 2010
* December 5th, 2010 – Independent Games Summit at GDC China
* December 5th, 2010 – IGF China Awards Ceremony (Winners Announced!)
* December 5th-6th, 2010 – IGF China Pavilion at GDC China

"We're proud to have IGF China as an integral part of the 2010 GDC China event," said IGF Chairman Emeritus Simon Carless. "IGF China 2010 further broadens the scope of games, not just in geography, but in new and exciting game play ideas as well."

"The world of gaming, and independent games in particular, has benefitted immeasurably from the influence of a diverse set of voices and perspectives," he continued. "IGF China provides the perfect showcase for an emerging group of developers."

GDC China returns to the Shanghai International Convention Center in Shanghai, China for three days, December 5-7, 2010. For more details and information on IGF China please visit the event's official website.