News

BAAF 2004 in Question

Following weeks of speculation and discussion, Big Apple Anime Fest has officially announced on its website that the 2004 event may not happen.

The 2004 Republican National Convention has put a major damper on the BAAF plans. The Republican Convention will be taking place in New York City from August 26 to September 3 (the Friday of Labor Day Weekend) and according to BAAF, most delegates will be remaining in New York for the long weekend. As a result, there are very few available hotel rooms in New York for the long weekend, and BAAF's planned venue, the Times Square Marriott Marquis will not be available.

Furthermore, the extensive security measures being put in place during the weekend, including bag searches and metal detectors for all people entering the area, make holding a film festival there unfeasable.

BAAF is considering delaying the event until a later date, moving it out of Times Square, or cancelling it all together. However no decisions will be taken until the BAAF meetings in late February and late March.

Further details are available on BAAF's website.

Thanks to dramzan for posting about this in the events forum.