Geeks are taking over! And they’re doing it Big in Japan style! That’s right, all things Geek are about to be unleashed on JHB and Pretoria with the 7th Annual GeekFest, brought to you by The Dark Carnival. Taking place for the first time at the awe-inspiring Sun Arena, Time Square in Pretoria, the event is set to be a complete invasion of all things Geek and all things gaming over one stellar weekend. Gaming Geeks and Fantasy Freaks can draw inspiration for this year’s GeekFest from the birthplace of Anime – Japan. But because we’re Geeks, we definitely don’t do understated and we definitely do over the top, so it’s a Godzilla-sized Big in Japan theme, and we are challenging all Geeks out there to bring on all thing’s anime, manga and Otaku (Japanese for geek).

The entire focus of the 3-day weekend will be on Japanese culture and gaming so Gēmusutāto! (Game on) The Cosplay arena is going to be one that is super-sized this year, with events across all levels, so you can either take a beginner’s bite-sized chunk or make a masterful meal of this imagination-busting sub-culture. There will be four competition categories, namely: • Junior – Open to all entrants who will be under the age of 15 at the time of GeekFest. In order to qualify, at least 50% of their costume must be hand crafted. • Beginner to Genin – Open to newbies who are interested in breaking into the cosplay universe. This includes first time entrants or those who have very little experience.

In order to qualify, at least 50% of their costume must be hand crafted. • Intermediate-Chuunin – Open to those slightly more experienced cosplayers who have taken part in these kinds of competitions before. In order to qualify, at least 75% of their costume must be hand crafted. • Masters-Kage – Open to the semi-professional and professional cosplayers – those who live and breathe the sub-culture and have placed at major competitions before. In order to qualify, at least 90% of their costume must be hand crafted. Each of the above categories will have a first, second and third place winner with fantastic sponsored prizes up for grabs. In addition to the category tournaments, there will also be a masquerade for those who don’t want to compete, but who want to simply strut their colourful stuff and be a part of the fun. To register visit http://www.geekfest.co.za/cosplay-registration/. In partnership with the Rush esports event there will also be a Vodacom 4U sponsored Fortnite- inspired category. This is the chance to dress to impress as you channel one of your favourite Fortnite characters.

The winner of the Vodacom 4U Fortnite cosplay will walk away with R10,000, so ramp up your creative juices and enter now! A whole range of other fantastic activities will send you into a spin, including Sumo Wrestling, a Dance Dance Revolution setup, Robowar competitions, a Gladiator Ring and a LARP tournament. Watch epic Japanese animated films Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, an animated science fantasy adventure film and Pop in Q, an animated dance film - BUT these won’t be any ordinary screening experience, you’ll get to watch these at the uber-cool Noodlebox Cinema! Kick back and relax with a box of noodles whilst watching your movie in silence with your very own headphones.

Die-hard fans of old school cool are in for a serious treat, because not one, but two iconic cars from two iconic teams from the 80’s will be on display at the event. The unforgettable king of talking technology - KITT - the real star of the KnightRider series, and the truly awesome Ghostbusters Wagon.

Who you gonna call? Your friends to join you of course… To say this a jam-packed entertainment lineup is an understatement. GeekFest 2019 has pulled out every single stop, and then some, to ensure maximum Geek immersion across the whole weekend. And when the hunger pangs strike, fear not intrepid soldiers, there is a host of food and drinks available to reboot yourself back to full power.

From merchandise exhibitors to a full-on Geek-inspired market; to gaming highlights and tabletop games; to Pokémon GO tournaments, Japanese martial arts and Anime movies and a Geek Quiz… There is something for every single member of your Geek family to do. You can even go and get your gaming on as GeekFest tickets include all access entry into Rush Esports too. For more information on GeekFest 2019 and the cosplay competitions visit https://www.geekfest.co.za/

EVENT DETAILS: When is GeekFest 2019? 28, 29, 30 June 2019

Times: Friday 10am – 8pm | Saturday 10am – 8pm | Sunday 10am – 5pm

Where is Geekfest 2019? Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria

How do I buy tickets to GeekFest 2019? Tickets to GeekFest on sale via Ticketpro and at the door

• Day Pass: R120 (valid for one day only on any of the three days)
• Weekend Pass: R300 (valid for all three days) GeekFest tickets include all access into Rush 2019