World Cosplay Summit partners with New York Anime Festival
Preliminaries to be held at NYAF; Winners of the masquerade to compete in finals in JapanNorwalk, CT, October 3, 2007: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced a major partnership with the World Cosplay Summit, the leading international cosplay event which takes place annually in Japan and attracts an audience of cosplay enthusiasts and professionals from many countries all over the globe. The World Cosplay Summit features the very best cosplayers in the world competing before famed anime and manga creators. Previous notable judges have included Leiji Matsumoto (Galaxy Express 999) and Go Nagai (Cutie Honey). Countries which participated in the 2007 World Cosplay Summit included: Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, and Thailand.
"We are focused on making NYAF a broad cultural event which embraces the many aspects of anime and recognizes its influence around the world," notes John McGeary, Show Manager for NYAF. "This partnership is perhaps one of our most significant steps on the road to doing that. The World Cosplay Summit is nothing less than the Super Bowl of all cosplay. We're very proud to offer American cosplayers the chance to have their costumes and talent recognized on both a national and international stage."
Festival organizers note that the partnership will provide NYAF with the opportunity to stage the World Cosplay Summit's Official USA Preliminary Round. The winners of the convention's Masquerade will receive a free trip to Japan to represent the USA in the World Cosplay Summit Finals in Summer 2008. The New York Anime Festival is the only American anime convention approved to be part of the World Cosplay Summit.
The World Cosplay Summit joins existing Masquerade sponsor Anime Insider Magazine, which will feature a photo spread of the Masquerade's winners in an upcoming issue and also award the winners a complimentary year subscription to the publication.
"This is a major event!" Anna Fischer, a veteran cosplayer and one of NYAF's Masquerade Judges said. "I look forward to New York being home to the largest cosplay competition in the country."
The New York Anime Festival will be held December 7th – 9th at thhe Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Interested cosplayers can find the full rules and apply for the Anime Insider and World Cosplay Summit Masquerade online at http://www.nyanimefestival.com/en-us/contests.cfm. Applications must be received by November 15.
ABOUT COSPLAY:
Cosplay is short for "costume play" and is one of the most vivid and creative aspects of anime fandom. At its center is the creation and wearing of costumes based on a fan's favorite anime or manga character. A Masquerade -- part talent show and part fashion show -- is an event where cosplayers before perform often-elaborate skits in front of an audience.
ABOUT THE WORLD COSPLAY SUMMIT:
The World Cosplay Summit began in the fall of 2003. Born from the concept that cosplayers play a leading role in introducing Japanese manga and animation to people around the world, the event wanted to bring international cosplayers "home" to Japan to showcase their costumes and skill. The event is held annually, with preliminary competitions taking place around the world -- and the Championships taking place each summer in Japan. Each year, judges include creators of some of Japan's most iconic anime and manga, and past judges have included Leiji Matsumoto, Go Nagai, and Monkey Punch. In 2007, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Japan all participated in the World Cosplay Summit. The winners of Anime Insider and World Cosplay Summit Masquerade crowned at the New York Anime Festial will fly to Japan to serve as Team USA in the 2008 Championships. For more, please visit http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/wcs/e/.
ABOUT ANIME INSIDER:
No longer an underground experience, Japanese animation and comics are now a mainstream phenomenon, and Anime Insider is the #1 independent anime and manga magazine in America. Unlike any other anime magazine in the world, it approaches its content with a sense of humor. AI appeals to modern anime fans because it understands them and gives them what they want -- content straight from Japan in the form of exclusive previews, in-depth interviews, photo tours, and cultural lessons. The magazine goes beyond coverage of the hottest anime and manga in the US to offer readers a personal connection to their passion in the form of online interaction with the magazine and supports that personal connection with year-round convention appearances. Each monthly issue of Anime Insider is loaded with in-depth features exploring today's hottest anime, going behind the scenes on-site at Japanese animation studios, getting interviews with creators and directors, featuring exclusive manga previews, and much more. Discover more at anime-insider.com.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:
The New York Anime Festival takes place December 7-9, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival will showcase the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival will feature exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explore the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life.
The New York Anime Festival is sponsored by ADV Films, Anime Insider, Anime Network, Anime News Network, AnimeNEXT, BookExpo America, Diamond Book Distributors, Entertainment Consumers Association, FUNimation Entertainment, ICv2, ImaginAsian, Kinokuniya Bookstores, License! Global, Manga Video, New York Comic Con, NEW YORK - TOKYO, Newtype USA, Publishers Weekly, Starz Media, TOKYOPOP, Video Business, and Wedge Holdings.
The New York Anime Festival's Guests of Honor include Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Kobun Shizuno, and Aimee Major Steinberger. The New York Anime Festival's musical guests include HAPPYFUNSMILE, UNICORN TABLE, and Voltaire.
Further information and tickets can be found at www.newyorkanimefestival.com.
ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS:
The New York Anime Festival is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading events organizer. In 2006, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and organized by 37 fully staffed offices.
Reed organizes a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses, and meetings. Its portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors, including aerospace and defense, building and construction, design, electronics, energy, oil and gas, entertainment, food and hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT/telecoms, jewelry, manufacturing, marketing and business services, pharmaceuticals, property, publishing, security, sport and recreation, transport and logistics, and travel.
Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations, and government departments, Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.
Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2005, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,002 million on turnover of £5,166 million.
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