Panel and Programming FAQ

Here are the most frequently asked questions for panels and programming here at Anime Boston. Please read this FAQ before sending an email. If your question is not answered here, please contact Panels via the contact page or the Panel and Workshop Programming Forums.

  1. What is a panel?
  2. I am interested in running a panel, what do I need to do?
  3. What panels does Anime Boston look for?
  4. How does Anime Boston decide what panels make it into the schedule?
  5. Does Anime Boston offer panel reimbursement?
  6. Will you consider non-Japanese or Western related panels?
  7. Can I submit a game show or a cosplay game?
  8. Can I perform at Anime Boston as a band/singer/standup comedian, etc?
  9. When will I know about the status of my panel?
  10. What happens if my panel is on the waitlist?
  11. What happens if my panel is rejected?
  12. How old must I be to run a panel?
  13. Can someone submit the panel for me if I am under 18?
  14. Can I request a specific time?
  15. What is the time limit per panel?
  16. Can I request a specific room?
  17. When will I know what time my panel is scheduled/accepted?
  18. Once my panel is accepted, what do I have to do?
  19. What tech does Anime Boston provide for panel rooms?
  20. What tech does Anime Boston not provide for panel rooms?
  21. Will there be internet or Wi-Fi?
  22. Am I allowed to play full episodes of anime in my panel?
  23. When do panel submissions open and close for Anime Boston 2022?
  24. I need additional accommodations in order to present my panel, who do I contact?

1. What is a panel?
A panel can be a presentation, discussion, workshop, or game show about subjects on Japan, anime, anime-based video games, video games originating from Japan, as well as the global culture Japan and anime has inspired. All panels must follow the Anime Boston Mission Statement:

Operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, Anime Boston furthers public understanding and appreciation of Japanese society and culture, as well as the global culture it has inspired, through respectful and inclusive celebration and study of its unique multimedia offerings."

Panels can be run by fellow attendees, guests, industry, or staff members. Panels may cater to a wide variety of audiences of all different ages. Please note that all panels catering to the 18+ age group will be scheduled during the evening, typically after 8 p.m., and will be identified on the schedule as a panel that contains 18+ content/material.

2. I am interested in running a panel, what do I need to do?
To submit a panel at Anime Boston, you need to fill out the application form on the website. Applications open on 10/29/2022.

3. What panels does Anime Boston look for?
Anime Boston primarily accepts panels that include but are not limited to providing information/education about Japan, Japanese culture, anime, manga, cosplay, video games, and art history. In order to broaden the scope of Anime Boston programming, panels based on the global culture that Japan and anime has inspired will be considered along with all other subjects that follow the Anime Boston Mission statement:

Operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, Anime Boston furthers public understanding and appreciation of Japanese society and culture, as well as the global culture it has inspired, through respectful and inclusive celebration and study of its unique multimedia offerings."

4. How does Anime Boston decide what panels make it into the schedule?
Panel selection is performed based on the cumulative ratings of panel applications given by Anime Boston's staff members. Panel applications are rated on a scale of one to five.

An example of a (five) rating is a panel application that clearly describes the content, material, and/or outline of the panel while following our mission statement as a guideline. An example of a one rating is a panel that does not follow the mission statement and/or is poorly described and written, and/or could use improvement.

The panel schedule is filled by adding the higher rated panels first and working down the waitlist until all slots are filled.

5. Does Anime Boston offer panel reimbursement?
Yes, Anime Boston provides badge reimbursement for the panel organizer only;the one who submits the panel. This is mailed out after the convention is over, however, if a co-panelist presents four or more panels with a panel organizer, they will also receive a badge reimbursement.

6. Will you consider non-Japanese or Western related panels?
At Anime Boston, we aim to select panels based on Japanese culture and its influences on other cultures. That said, due to the widespread influence of Anime in the last decade, panels will be selected based on how closely they relate to the current mission statement and the guidelines listed under the ”What panels does Anime Boston look for?" section of this FAQ.

7. Can I submit a game show or a cosplay game?
Anime Boston will consider game shows and cosplay games that are different and unique from the staff run events. If a game show or cosplay game is similar to an already existing Anime Boston game show and/or cosplay game, it has a low chance of being accepted.

8. Can I perform at Anime Boston as a band/singer/standup comedian, etc?
Anime Boston strives to provide entertainment that follows their mission statement. If applicants believe that their event aligns with the Anime Boston then the applicant should submit a request to https://www.animeboston.com/coninfo/contact/.

9. When will I know about the status of my panel?
You should expect to be notified about panel submissions in late February 2023. At that time, you will be notified whether your panel is wait-listed, accepted, or rejected. If you do not receive an email by then, please contact our Fan Panel Manager.

10. What happens if my panel is on the waitlist?
Having a panel on the waitlist means the panel fits our guidelines, but we do not have a space in the schedule at current. Generally, everyone is on the waitlist at first while guest and industry panels are placed. If the convention draws near and you wish to be removed from the waitlist, please contact the Fan Panel Coordinator to be removed. If your panel is still wait-listed by Thursday of the convention, it will most likely not make it into the schedule.

11. What happens if my panel is rejected?
If a panel is rejected, it means it did not meet the Anime Boston requirements. However, just because it did not meet our convention’s requirements, does not mean it can’t be accepted elsewhere or that it can't be improved upon and submitted the following year.

12. How old must I be to run a panel?
You must be 18 years of age by the Thursday prior to the convention in order to run a panel. Co-panelists must be at least 16 years old the Thursday prior to the convention in order to run a panel.

13. Can someone submit the panel for me if I am under 18?
Yes, however, whomever submits the form is considered the panel organizer. They must register at panel check-in and be present on the panelist stage while the panel is being presented. If the panel organizer does not show up at the scheduled time, the panel will be canceled.

14. Can I request a specific time?
You may fill out preferred time slots and unavailable time slots during the application process. Keep in mind that the more flexible you can be, the easier it is for your panel to get scheduled.

Please list possible general programming availability times such as morning, afternoon, or night blocks.

15. What is the time limit per panel?
Most panels at Anime Boston run from one hour (60 minutes) to an hour and a half (90 minutes). Very rarely do fan panels run longer than 90 minutes.

16. Can I request a specific room?
Yes, but that does not mean your panel will be scheduled in that room. Larger rooms are often pre-scheduled ahead of time with the industry and guest panels. Some spaces on the schedule are left empty intentionally.

17. When will I know what time my panel is scheduled/accepted?
Once your panel has been scheduled, the status moves from wait-listed to accepted. You will then receive an email confirmation with the room and time. The time frame for receiving this notification is anywhere from late February to Thursday of the convention (this is due to last-minute cancellations). In addition to an email confirmation, accepted panelists will be added to the fan panelist Discord channel. Discord is a popular messaging board app and the Discord channel will allow accepted panelists to communicate directly with the Anime Boston Fan Panel Manager and other accepted panelists.

18. Once my panel is accepted, what do I have to do?
The panel organizer is required to check in for their panel(s), unless otherwise noted. Check-in for panelists starts Thursday night of the convention and ends Sunday. If you decide to check in on Thursday of the convention during registration, panelists will have a designated check-in area after they have received their badges at the registration area between the times of 3 and 6 p.m. For all other times and days, the check-in area can be found in room 200 of the Hynes Convention Center. Please speak with the information desk if you have any trouble finding Hynes 200. Please note, it is highly recommended that you check in at least 30 minutes prior to your panel start time so you will have ample time to locate your room and set up. If you do not check in for your panel, you will not receive reimbursement for your badge.

19. What tech does Anime Boston provide for panel rooms?
Anime Boston provides speakers, projectors, projector screens, microphones (stands and wireless), DVD players, and HDMI connectors for video and sound output.

20. What tech does Anime Boston not provide for panel rooms?
Anime Boston does not provide laptops or adapters/converters. If you are using a Mac or HDMI, please bring your own adaptor with VGA to HDMI. When filling out your panel application, please be as descriptive as possible for Tech Staff so they can help accommodate your needs.

21. Will there be internet or Wi-Fi?
There is Wi-Fi in the Hynes Convention Center, however it is not reliable, so please do not rely on it for your panel and do prepare ahead of time. If you need Wi-Fi connectivity for your panel, please bring a personal hotspot connection or any other device that will allow you to have Wi-Fi capability.

22. Am I allowed to play full episodes of anime in my panel?
Please remember that most panels are only 50 minutes long. As such, please try to refrain from showing any individual clips longer than four minutes in length. At this time, we prohibit showing full episodes as part of any fan panel due to various legal requirements.

23. When do panel submissions open and close for Anime Boston 2023?
Panel submissions open on 10/29/2022 and close 02/18/2023.

24. I need additional accommodations in order to present my panel, who do I contact?
Once you receive your panel acceptance email, please contact Panels via the contact page and include your first and last name, the name of the panel you will be presenting, and accommodations you would need to present your panel. We will coordinate with our internal departments and provide reasonable accommodation to the best of our abilities.