Two months ago, we launched our fandom history and culture column, Cultus Dispatches. As online Tolkien fandom proceeds through its third decade (and Tolkien fandom in general approaches its diamond jubilee), it seems imperative to collect and archive those discussions, fanworks, and memories that have shaped the fandom before they are lost and forgotten.

A subproject of Cultus Dispatches, Fandom Voices aims to do just that. Periodically, we will open a new Fandom Voices question where fans can share their memories and recollections of an event or experience in Tolkien fandom. Back in March, we asked fans who were part of the fandom before either or both film trilogies to share their memories of how the fandom changed (or didn't) once the films debuted. About thirty people have responded so far, and we're pleased to share those responses in this month's Cultus column, Fandom Voices: Impact of the Films. Here, you can find a curated, organized collection of responses with minimal commentary, as well as the original response collections. Do you see a connection we missed or have an interpretation that differs from what we see in the responses? We'd love to hear from you! Comment on the article or hit reply to this message.

Respondents remembered Legomances, Tenth Walkers, vegetarian Elves, and Bagginshield as fandom phenomena arising from the films. They remembered new fan communities springing up overnight (or gaining hundreds of members in just a few days) post-LotR films, and they remember subtler but still impactful cultural shifts post-Hobbit trilogy that brought more diverse depictions of characters and a more permissive view of sexuality in fanworks. They remember mentoring new fans and fighting with them; feeling delighted and overwhelmed by all of the new and enthusiastic readers of Tolkien. They remember gatekeeping and arguments but also building connections with others that have endured, sometimes for years or even decades. More than one person described the films' impact on their fandom as life-changing.

Once a Fandom Voices survey question opens, it will remain open indefinitely, and we will periodically update the response collections with new responses. If you were a pre-film member of the Tolkien fandom, you can contribute a response here. We also have a new Fandom Voices survey up and running, collecting responses for a forthcoming article about fans who were brought to the fandom by the films. If you were a film-first fan, we'd love to hear your memories of that experience here.