Next week, 75,000 fans will descend upon the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and its 400,000 square foot space. Fan Expo Canada returns to Toronto for its 18th year with over 700 exhibits in its lineup. Not only that, the Expo features a great selection of celebrity guests, Q&A sessions, sneak-previews, screenings and much more.
We break down the massive list to bring you some of the highlights that will make your expo experience memorable. Should help developing your plan to navigate through the 400,000 square feet of awesome!
Stan Lee – Frankly, it this was not on top of our list, we’d be crazy. Lee is one of the biggest names in comics, having created/co-created some of Marvel’s most well known comic book characters, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Spiderman. An opportunity to meet Lee is a rare deal and given the chance to do so in an organized setting such as Fan Expo, is fantastic. Comic book fans: this should be on your list!
The Art of Frankenweenie – This exhibition promises to be a treat. From original sketches by Tim Burton, to props, sets and puppets, this exhibition hopes to provide a rare glimpse into the stop-motion animation process that Burton used to bring his vision and magic to the big screen. To be able to see the creative thought behind an animation film – that too by legendary director such as Tim Burton – is not just a rare opportunity but also something that will enlighten you.
Portfolio Reviews – An aspiring artist? Bring your portfolio of work to the Artist Alley, various publishers or even the guests themselves for a chance to showcase your work to industry pro’s. Gather feedback to help make you a better artist!
Power Rangers Mega Mural – Set up at booth #1238, Mega Bloks will gather a group of fans to help build a Power Rangers Mega Mural, block-by-block. They will hand out free Micro Action Figures for those who participate. Best part? Its for a good cause! The completed wall will be donated to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, a local Toronto charity that provides support to children with autism.
Masquerade – You can’t really attend Fan Expo without attending the masquerade. The event puts a spotlight on fans who take their creative talent to the next level by creating unique and original costumes. Whether its anime related or sci-fi inspired, this event promises great designs, passionate fans and a fun evening. Best of all, its the largest show of its kind in Canada, so your bound to have an epic time.
Antiviral – Special Horror Screening – Every one is waiting to see Brandon Cronenberg’s debut feature film: Antiviral. The film is scheduled to premiere as a Special Presentation at the 37th Annual Toronto International Film Festival but those attending the expo will get a lucky chance to see a screening of the film at Fan Expo 2012. David Cronenberg – Brandon’s father – is a well known and respected Canadian director. Seeing the son follow in the footsteps of the father is great, and this is a great opportunity to see the film before it premiere’s at TIFF 2012.
Lost Girl Cast – A fan of the hit show Lost Girl? The cast will be in attendance Saturday, August 25th to meet with fans, do a Q&A and sign autographs. Only Saturday!
Robert Bailey – if your a Star Wars fan, you will probably have heard the name. Bailey is a fine artist at Lucasfilm and one of the few individuals who works closely with George Lucas himself. Attending the Expo for the very first time, Bailey will be creating 10 original Star Wars 11×20’s, only available at the Expo, all signed and numbered. A great opportunity to meet a great artist.
Workshop: Crowd Funding – Kickstarter, Indiegogo & More. – The Expo isn’t just about meeting celebrities and having a fun time. The expo provides a great number of workshops that are created to provide tools for up-and-coming artists. From the lot, one that stands out is the one on Crowd Funding, a funding strategy that is picking up momentum in the art world and is becoming the primary source for many independent projects. A great event for artists wishing to find new avenues to fund their current and future projects.
