The majority of Otafest’s programming is provided by community members like you who have creative ideas to present to their peers.
Whether you’re planning a game show, an educational talk, a competition in our arcade, or anything else, we love our community’s unique creativity and we’re excited to see what you have in store this year!
A “panel” is a talk, performance, game show, or other event that you want to hold at Otafest. We provide the space, the chairs, the audience, and some equipment to help you be successful. We just need you and your ideas. This is your platform to share your passions with the world.
This is also where we’re accepting competition submissions for our Otafest Arcade.
Submit an application by filling in the form at the bottom of this page. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. We will inform all applicants by March 15, 2023 via e-mail as to whether their application has been selected or waitlisted.
Just an elevator ride away from Otafest, you can book your stay at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel!
Connected directly to the Telus Convention Centre and boasting Calgary’s largest standard guestroom available with a single king or two double beds and large windows, the Marriott’s rooms feature beautifully appointed furniture and hypoallergenic Duvets, fitness center, pool access, and wireless internet.
The standard panel room set up is theatre style seating (chairs for attendees, presentation area at the front of the room). Otafest provides speakers, a mixer, a microphone, a projector, and a screen for each panel room.
For Otafest Arcade submissions, we can provide TVs/Monitors by request (note it in the equipment request area). We cannot guarantee the items on your list, but we will try our best.
1 panel: Upon panel acceptance, you and one assistant are entitled to a discounted weekend pass to Otafest! See the panelist terms & conditions for details, including how we will handle the situation if you’ve pre-purchased your ticket online.
2 or more panels: Upon acceptance of your panels, you and one assistant are entitled to a free weekend pass to Otafest! See the panelist terms & conditions for details, including how we will handle the situation if you’ve pre-purchased your ticket online.
Thank you for your interest, however applications are now closed.
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.
Photos on this website are courtesy of
Elyse Bouvier, Brenrich Carandang, Plutopia Productions, Ryan Logan, Dani Sato, Chi Tang