rainbow paint splatter overlayed with “2023 Panel Submissions are Closed” and the Anime Weekend Atlanta logo

Panel submissions that get approved:

  • Panelist and co-host must be at least 16 years old by 10/26/2023
  • Directly involve anime, manga or other Japanese culture. For example, a well-planned proposal that features an anime will take priority over an equally well-planned proposal that features an outside fandom, such as American comics or movies. Having said that, we do have a certain amount of leniency, especially if the fandom is large (in other words, we’ve received a lot of proposals for it) or overlaps AWA’s main fandoms in some way, for example: tabletop games.
  • Are well-planned and have supporting materials. The proposal is our first glimpse of how you communicate and what you want to do at AWA. Make sure it’s well-written and try to include evidence that the panel will be successful. If you can’t include something in the online form (such as a picture) or if something changes after your submission, email it to panels@awa-con.com (make sure to include your name and the panel name for reference). All panels will require that you submit the actual presentation such as a PowerPoint or detailed outline for review. If you submit a panel without the material to be presented, we will place the panel as tentative and email asking for the presentation. If the presentation is not received, we will have to decline the panel.
  • Are engaging and interactive. We like lectures, too, but a proposal that introduces a creative way to communicate with the audience really catches our eyes.
  • Are more than dressing in character and showing up. You can certainly submit “in-character” panels, but we’d like to see more than, “come ask your favorite character a question” in the description. If you have support for your panel going well in the past, such as videos, we’d like to see that, too.
  • Don’t involve aggressive physicality. We know that “battle chess” and other such games are super fun, but we don’t have the room or oversight to make sure they run safely, unfortunately. However, panels that are yoga-based, or dance workshops are completely okay and we welcome them, and we might even join in! If you are unsure if your panel is physically aggressive, then please email us at panels@awa-con.com.
  • Aren’t speed or blind dates. You can definitely submit a proposal, but please know that we’re pretty strict with planning these sorts of events. We have to make sure that all attendees are comfortable and safe, after all. That being said, AWA is a huge gathering of people with interests just like yours – any event could be the place you meet your new best friend!
  • Panels for all audience age groups are welcome, just make sure to let us know your panel is 18+ if it is for more adult audiences!
  • If you have any other questions about this information or the panelist proposal form, please send an email to panels@awa-con.com.
  • If you are an Idol group wishing to perform in the Starlight Idol Festival, please follow this link: https://awa-con.com/starlight-idol-festival/ . Starlight Idol Festival has their own review process and submitting the fan panel submission form will not enter your group into the Starlight Idol Festival.
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Panel Perks

We appreciate you and all the work you do coming up with cool topics to host and putting together a presentation, and we want to make sure you’re taken care of! We offer two discount options for those approved for less than 4 hours of panels, and a free 4 day membership for those approved to present 4 or more hours!

Discounted 4 Day Membership $35 + applicable taxes and fees
Free single day membership $0 No additional fees
Free 4 Day Membership $0 No additional fees

What happens to your panel once it is submitted?

Once you submit your proposal online ON OR BEFORE July 31st, 2023, you will see a confirmation page that lets you know we have received your panel. You will also receive an email with a confirmation of the panel being in the review process. If you do not see the confirmation page, we have not received your panel!

  1. Your panel will be entered into the decision process.
  2. The committee will meet roughly once a month to place proposals in one of three categories.
    • Approved
    • Tentative
    • Denied
  3. You’ll be notified of your status via email as soon as possible. We will send out updates monthly through October 1st.
    During the decision process, we’ll also be in touch with any questions we have about your proposal. Because of this, we ask that you check your email regularly, at least once a week, and white list emails from *@awa-con.com

    • If you submit your panel by February 28th You will be notified of your status by April 1st.
    • While we do send panel status emails throughout the year, you will not receive your placement emails until October 1st at the earliest.
  4. Panelist badge emails will start being sent October 8th.

It’s important to note that this process isn’t first-come-first-served. For example, if we get a really good proposal about something only loosely connected to anime early on, we’ll often put it in the tentative bucket until we’re sure we have space on the schedule. We are continuing our system of rolling acceptances this year instead of making all the decisions in one batch. While we still like to choose the best panel possible, submitting early may increase your odds of being chosen since there will be less to compare it to.