22
Years
442
Volunteers
$
135899
Raised for Charity
Otafest was born in 1999 when the University of Calgary’s Dedicated Otaku Anime Club decided to have a 1 day film festival showing Japanese Animation (anime) to the public.
Over the next decades, Otafest has grown to become a large three day festival, with 9,500 attendees in 2018. The festival is run by a non-profit organization (The Otafest Film and Cultural Festival Planning Committee), and while we still showcase anime, it’s just a part of the festival experience.
Otafest is an annual conference for anime enthusiasts. We act as a creative outlet for fans, an occasion where they can show their passion and appreciation of the hobby. We are an event where fans can show off the costumes they have made, the music videos they have created, and the art they have painted and drawn. Otafest is a forum for discussion and education. We host educational panels introducing others to the basics of the Japanese language and tips on how to use computer programs to enhance music videos and CG art. In the past, we have hosted guests who explained the process of donning a kimono, demonstrated the intricacies of tea ceremonies, and Iaido (the art of drawing a sword from a scabbard). We have also invited individuals involved in the voice acting and animation industries to speak of their experiences.
Otafest is a marketplace. We gather dozens of vendors together from all over Western Canada to facilitate the best bargain hunting in town. And, of course, we haven’t forgotten our roots: Otafest is an anime festival.
Each year, we host charity events and fundraisers during the festival to be donated to that year’s selected charity. Dedicated rooms such as the Maid Cafe donate their proceeds to the charity as well.
We hope to see you this year!
Otafest acknowledges that the land we gather on is the traditional territory of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Calgary is home to many First Nations peoples from across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that settlers on the land occupy and directly benefit from the process of colonization.
Each year, Otafest selects a charity to give back to those in our community and beyond. In 2019, our charity of choice was Miskanawah (formerly Pathways – http://www.pathwayscsa.org) and we encourage you to consider making a donation if you are able to. We aspire to continue supporting local Indigenous communities in the future.
Otafest Attendees have made charitable donations to various causes through various fundraising drives and activities. These have included the great “head-shaving” initiative of 2010, and the infamous “let’s-put-the-chairman-in-a-dress” fundraising drive of 2011. We are very proud of our community for coming together and donating to great causes!
May 15 - 17
Sweets
May 17 - 19
Western
9,222 Attendees
$10,242 raised for Pathways Community Services Association
May 18 - 20
A Celebration of the Gods
9,572 Attendees
$12,000 raised for The Alex Youth Health Centre
June 30 - July 2
Canada 150
7,724 Attendees
$11,180 raised for The Tom Baker Cancer Centre
Nov 4 - 5
Fairy Tale Ball
1,824 Attendees
$2,670 raised for Between Friends
July 1 - 3
Angels Remastered
7,995 Attendees
$10,000 raised for United Way of Calgary
Nov 13 - 14
Orchestra
2,542 Attendees
$1,500 raised for Children's Cottage Society
May 15 - 17
Space Pirates
8,144 Attendees
$10,100 raised for Distress Centre Calgary
Nov 29
Coronation
2,040 Attendees
$1,500 raised for Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary
May 16 - 18
School Girl
7,787 Attendees
$13,500 raised for Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society
Nov 30
Black Swan
1,716 Attendees
$2,300 raised for Seniors Secret Service
May 17 - 19
Steampunk
4,947 Attendees
$12,474 raised for Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Branch
Dec 15
Winter
843 Attendees
May 18 - 20
Magical Girl
4,938 Attendees
$11,000 raised for Calgary Humane Society
Nov 12
700 Attendees
$1,000 raised for Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary
May 20 - 22
Valkyrie
4,135 Attendees
$10,398 raised for Japan Red Cross
Nov 13
800 Attendees
$2,000 raised for Children's Cottage Society
May 21 - 23
Sports
3,697 Attendees
$5,300 raised for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Nov 14
900 Attendees
$5,000 raised for The Mustard Seed
May 15 - 17
A Vision of the Future
4,361 Attendees
$1,735 raised for Alberta Children's Hospital
May 16 - 18
Yukata
4,278 Attendees
May 19 - 20
Mecha
2,709 Attendees
May 21 - 22
Angel
Attendance not tracked.
May 21 - 22
Samurai
Attendance not tracked.
May 15 - 16
JRPG / Dragon Mage
Attendance not tracked.
May 24 - 25
Asian-Cyberpunk
Attendance not tracked.
May 24 - 26
Asian Heritage Month Collaboration
Attendance not tracked.
Sep 15 - 16
700 Attendees
Sep 15 - 16
700 Attendees
Jul 3 - 4
Angel of Death
700 Attendees