The schedule is subject to update- remember to check back often!
ADMISSIONS DESK HOURS: Friday May 10: 8:00 – 19:00 | Saturday May 11: 8:00 – 19:00 | Sunday May 12: 8:00 – 17:00 * Otafest will only sell tickets at the door if tickets have not sold out online.
EXHIBITOR HALL HOURS: Friday May 10: 10:00 – 19:00 | Saturday May 11: 10:00 – 19:00 | Sunday May 12: 10:00 – 17:00
EVENT RATING GUIDE:
AP: All Ages - This programming is suitable for all ages.
14P: 14+ - This programming is suitable for persons 14 years and older. May include coarse language, violence, nudity and/or content not recommended for a younger audience. Parent/guardian guidance recommended.
MP: Mature - This programming is suitable for patrons 18 years and older. May include coarse language, explicit violence, sexual content, and/or mature subject matter. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or appointed guardian. Photo ID must be shown at the door to the room.
18+: This programming is suitable for adults only. May include explicit language, frequent sexual activity, graphic violence, intense horror, and/or other disturbing content. No minors will be admitted.Photo ID must be shown at the door to the room.
A full guide on how to turn cosplay into a sensory dream, vs. a sensory nightmare like they usually turn out. We will talk on fabrics, modifications, and additions one can make to their cosplay!
Do you need (another) mobile game in your life? Or maybe you already play Ensemble Stars!! Music, but want tips on how to get diamonds for the lie that is rate-up. We will be covering this and more!
If you've ever wanted to be a convention idol you've come to the right place! Here we will teach you all the things you need to know to be a convention idol! Including learning a short dance routine!
Come join us as we will teach you how to perform wotagei/cyalume dance; a high energy dance style performed with chemical glowsticks. (As seen in Oshi no Ko).
Going to your first con? Feeling overwhelmed with everything? Need a refresher on what to do? Join us to learn how to have the best con experience for you and others.
Does wig styling make you nervous? Look no further, this panel is for you! Learn simple, beginner friendly wig styling methods that will transform your cosplays to the next level!
Learn about a Japanese idiom that's easier felt than explained about the awareness of impermanence in life. We'll explore how this deeply moving concept is present in various forms of Japanese media.
MILGRAM is an interactive music project created by DECO*27 and Yamanaka Takuya. Whether you're a new or seasoned fan, come watch the second trial music videos and judge the prisoners for their sins!
Convention photography etiquette, Do's and Don'ts, red flags to watch for and tips for working with photographers. Helping to avoid awkward/uncomfortable situations and to stay safe.
A 20+ year veteran of the cosplay scene, Vivid Vision recently became a mom in 2023. She's learning the ropes and challenges of being a content creator with a little one, and her journey could inspire your journey too!
Ever wanted to get started in voice acting? Calgary locals, Mike Anthony and Nancy Situ, take you through everything you need to know to get started in your journey!
Ever wondered what it's like to be an idol? Those sparkly people dancing somewhere at your local con? And how do they keep their wigs on? Idol Group Framboise is here to tell you all this and more!
Many Pokémon trainers go through the hassle of going out to catch their partners, but why not make your partner instead? Join your friends and fellow Pokémon fans as you select a pattern of your favourite Pokémon and stitch them together by hand! All ages and skill levels are welcome as volunteers will demonstrate and assist with the sewing techniques needed to make your very own partner for you to take home!
Spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required. Pre-register at the Otafest Pokémon League room (Marriott - Kensington), starting at 9:00am! Spots are first-come-first-served and we run out quickly.
Dive deep into the enchanting world of danmei with us! Join our panel for a journey of stories, characters and the heart of Chinese BL Literature with engaging discussions, games and more!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Asian Ball Joint Dolls. Ever wondered what they are and if your interest where to get them ? Jasmine Chopyk will be happy to help guide guests and inform them.
Want to travel to Japan but not sure how to get the best bang for your buck? Where to stay? How to get around? Where is worth going? Join us to maximize your trip to Japan!
Fantasy anime are all the rage these days – so let’s go on a crazy fantasy adventure with the masters of anime-themed improv comedy! Guided by audience input (and probably the roll of some dice), The 404s will embark on an epic adventure in a brand-new fantasy setting in the style of Dungeon Meshi, Sousou no Frieren, and more!
Has your art been traced or copied? Wondered about how to go about enforcing your copyrights? Learn how the history of copyright can show you how to protect your rights as a creator and artist!
Think you know how to write fan-fiction? You don't. Let me teach you how to write the very BEST type of fan-fiction-- the kind inspired by My Immortal!
Okaerinasaimase! Sugarbell Maid Cafe invites you to an upbeat panel all about the wonderful world of maid cafe. Whether you're new to the maid cafe concept or a maid connoisseur, all are welcome!
Welcome back to Queerness in Anime and Manga where we discuss this subject and its many ups and downs, how has the perception of queerness in japan changed the portrayal in media + pics of my cat
A powerpoint presentation about popular animes and hentais that were visual novels originally to help people learn how to access the visual novel media genre.
Ever wondered what it would be like to practice the Japanese martial art of kendo? Fend off your friends with a bamboo blade? This is your chance to find out!
If you are trying to get into Dungeons and Dragons this is the panel for you! Learn how to create a character you will be invested in for eternity, from appearance to backstory, we will cover it all!
Introduction to the Wixoss TCG. Interested in waifus? With more than 50 original character and collabs from Pripara, Blue Archive and even Nijisanji, you're bound to find someone you like in the game.
Learn about the design, sewing, and other creative processes that go into creating lolita fashion and what makes lolita so different from other alternative fashions.
You know that thing you like? Yeah, the one that you're passionate about, but nobody else seems to be! Now's your chance to expose it to a larger audience, and get others as invested as you!
Love JRPG games? Never played one but don't know where to start? We'll go over some of the best games by Square Enix, what made them great, and discuss their influence on the gaming landscape.
Want to make manga with pen and paper traditionally instead of digitally? I got you covered! Everything you'll need to know from getting your idea to paper, tools of the trade and how to get it printed
Do you love singing anime songs but struggle with the lyrics? Jump into the world of singing anime songs and learn how to overcome even the toughest Japanese verses! Great for all ages and levels.
The all inclusive guide to surviving conventions with your family. Sharing our 60 years of combined experience attending conventions and how our family of four managed to survive to this point.
Are you new to fandoms? Do you often find yourself struggling to interact with others in online media? Join us for a fun interactive lesson in fandom Literacy!
The sharing and art circle will guide participants to dream and actualize a Creativity Accountability Plan: a practical and honest artistic expression of what it looks like to honour creativity.
This interactive session will be formatted in alignment with restorative sharing circle principles as carried by the Facilitator, Larissa Crawford. Informed by her teachings from Métis, Anishinabek, and Blackfoot knowledge keepers and Elders, Larissa will facilitate the participants' exploration of restoring a relationship to time where creativity and art is regarded as productive and valuable.
Many Pokémon trainers go through the hassle of going out to catch their partners, but why not make your partner instead? Join your friends and fellow Pokémon fans as you select a pattern of your favourite Pokémon and stitch them together by hand! All ages and skill levels are welcome as volunteers will demonstrate and assist with the sewing techniques needed to make your very own partner for you to take home!
Spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required. Pre-register at the Otafest Pokémon League room (Marriott - Kensington), starting at 9:00am! Spots are first-come-first-served and we run out quickly.
Jump into the world of music making and be part of an anime song OP production! Get inspired and learn about the skills you need to make your own anime style song. Great for all ages and levels.
How students and working professionals handle being in the anime/manga fandom: how to balance work with cosplaying, attending conventions, and other involvements in the fandom
Wanna know how to get into voice acting? This is probably the panel for you! Join super incredible voice actor Ben Balmaceda as he recounts his VA adventures, all the while giving reasonably good advice on how to approach the emotionally fulfilling career of doing funny little voices in front of a microphone.
How to become a Dungeon/Game Master for any tabletop roleplaying game, including tips for writing a compelling story, creating a unique world, and developing memorable characters
Transform your clicks into art! This beginner-friendly panel guides you through camera settings, composition mastery, and smart gear use. Discover simple yet powerful techniques to elevate your photos
Let's build a world together! How hard can it be? It's just an entire world with its on unique history, peoples, species, geography, economies, biology, and potentially physics. Uh oh.
New Streamer? Have a question about Streaming? Proff.Taako is here to answer them! From Vtubing to scene building. No question is to silly or small to help you get started on the stream journey.
Gacha games, where luck decides your gameplay. In a bold act of hubris, I will showcase why Call of Duty, Overwatch, and League of Legends are all gacha games.
Once again, it is time to come forth, devout holosimps and holobros. The time has come to hear the gospel of our beloved idols! Participation in worship highly encourages penlights ;)
Come in and peruse through various visual novel scenes from the distant past to present day. Thankfully, a maid is on board, because this is bound to get dirty......and unhinged. ლ(◉‿◉ ლ)
Do you want to make money off your artwork? Do you wanted to be one of the people in the Artist Alley at convention? Find out how to get started with this panel run by an artist alley veteran.
Welcome to the Yaoi Panel! New to boy's love? Great! Already a seasoned veteran? Even better! Come, join us and learn more about Yaoi Culture and Boy's Love. Let's play some fun games too!
Have you ever wondered why some characters give “heck yeah!” energy while others make you feel a little bit I'll? Me too, join us as we explore sexy character design, the good, the bad, and the weird
We are back at it again with another dance panel-but with a twist! This time around, we will be teaching our own choreography! Who knows, maybe you'll be brave enough to own the stage~
Have you ever wanted to get into the series Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint or want to meet other readers of the series? Come to our Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint panel!!
Monsters can be found in every form of media. Why do we love them so much? Join us for a deep dive into depictions of monsters and our fascination with them.
Do you like D&D? Do you hate D&D? Do you not care either way and just want to see a bunch of nerds embarrass themselves? Join our comedy D&D audience improv game!
Have you ever wanted to know the history of Manga or Anime? Well, now's your chance to learn about the artwork that surprisingly dates back over a 1000 years!
The sharing and art circle will guide participants to dream and actualize a Creativity Accountability Plan: a practical and honest artistic expression of what it looks like to honour creativity.
This interactive session will be formatted in alignment with restorative sharing circle principles as carried by the Facilitator, Larissa Crawford. Informed by her teachings from Métis, Anishinabek, and Blackfoot knowledge keepers and Elders, Larissa will facilitate the participants' exploration of restoring a relationship to time where creativity and art is regarded as productive and valuable.
Welcome to Otafest's Cosplay fair! This event is for cosplayers of all ages to come and learn about new techniques in crafting cosplay costumes, the art of cosplaying on stage, and so many more aspects of the craft. The event is fully interactive, like a science fair, but all about cosplaying! Come take a look at what our contributors have to share, learn something new, and make some new cosplay friends!
Do you want to write music or make audio for video games? Learn from a local award winning game composer/sound-designer on the in's and out's of what's needed to break into video game audio!
Looking for tips for curating the anime merch collection of your dreams? Come on down to learn about finding merch, identifying bootlegs, and even creating your own ita bag to display it!
Join voice actors, Mike Anthony and Nancy Situ, as they take you on a tour through the world of radio plays! Come ask questions and participate in the performance of an brand new script!
Ever wondered what it would be like to practice the Japanese martial art of kendo? Fend off your friends with a bamboo blade? This is your chance to find out!
Love dancing to idol music? Practiced your wotagei? Want to be in a space where the two forces are joined together? Come dance along to your favourite songs from J-Pop, Vocaloid, Vtuber's, and more!
Ever heard of an otome game before? If you haven't, don't worry! The purpose of this panel is to share and learn about the wonderful world of choosing your own fictitious romance!
Have you ever been curious about Genshin but are too afraid to ask questions at this point? Then this is a panel for you. Contents may include: story and character lore from the Abyss to Fontaine.
