Never been to a fan convention before? Not sure how it all works? Read on to find out!

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For the Love of Sci-Fi, like many other fan conventions and comic cons, is a place where fans of pop culture, films, tv, comic books, and more, can meet and greet their favourite actors and actresses, have photographs with them, and get autographs. Our special guests always attend question and answer panels as well so fans can interact with them on a less crowded level and without the hustle and bustle of the main convention behind them.

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As well as this, fans can dress up and join our huge cosplay community (see our Cosplay pages for more information), browse some amazing trade stalls which sell everything from replica props, clothing and toys to original artwork and much much more. There are also props and set displays from many franchises that fans can enjoy having photographs taken at, and many attractions such as training schools, video gaming, activities, displays, and much much more.

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We have official programmes available which will show you where everything is and what time photo shoots and Q&A sessions are happening. Schedules are available approximately two weeks before the event and will be e-mailed to every customer who has purchased a ticket. These details will also be available right here on the website closer to the date of the event.

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It's a great day out for the entire family!

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WHAT TIME DO YOU OPEN THE DOORS?

We open the doors to the event at 9am on both days - if you have a Diamond Pass you are automatically allowed in on a fast-track entry lane at 9am, jumping the usual queue, you will be the first in the doors to the event.  Disabled access pass holders will also be able to enter on this fast-track lane.

 

​Please visit our VENUE INFORMATION page for more information on entry times as well as parking and other standard queries about Bowlers Exhibition Centre.

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WHAT TIME SHOULD I BE THERE?

We recommend being in the queue to enter the event at least 15 minutes before the opening time, at 8.45am.

HOW DO PHOTOGRAPHS WITH GUESTS WORK?

If you have purchased a photograph opportunity with one of our special guests it will be at a specific time, this will be advertised for you both in our official programme available at the door and on schedules displayed throughout the event throughout the day, and will also be announced on the tannoy as and when they are about to happen so you do not miss them.

 

About 10 minutes before the allotted photograph session time, you should go to the appropriate area and wait in the queue to be called forward, the queue usually moves very quickly as unfortunately, the guests don't have time to chat to each fan, this is something that will happen at an autograph session (see below). Fans will be moved through into the photograph area, have their photo taken with the guest, and then be shown the way out where they can then collect their printed photograph. It sounds rather clinical but we have found that it is the most effective and efficient way to have your photograph taken with minimal fuss.

 

If you have any more queries on photograph sessions please see our AUTO & PHOTO FAQ page.

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HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH PER TICKET?

Each photograph ticket will allow TWO people over the age of 5 to have a photo taken. If you have a child aged 4 or under then they are free in the photo and do not require a ticket.

 

If you have any more queries on photograph sessions please see our AUTO & PHOTO FAQ page.

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HOW DO AUTOGRAPHS WITH GUESTS WORK?

If you have purchased an autograph opportunity with one of our special guests you can join the queue at their table at any time during the event. If a guest is away on lunch, having a break, at a panel, or at a photo shoot, you will be informed and asked to come back shortly so as to not waste your time at the event.

 

When the guest is at their table, you will queue as usual and then be able to approach them, pay for any additional extras you may want and speak to the guest freely, have your items signed, and in some cases have a selfie (this is at the discretion of the guest and may be at an additional charge). You won't be asked to move along unless you are taking a rather long time and there is a queue forming behind you!

 

If you have any more queries on autograph sessions please see our AUTO & PHOTO FAQ page.

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WILL I GET AUTOGRAPHS AND PHOTOGRAPHS INCLUDED WITH MY DIAMOND PASS?

Diamond Passes DO NOT include photographs or autographs as part of the price, the pass is simply to allow you to queue jump for these, for example, let's say you were attending a 10am photo shoot and you arrive at 10.05, rather than go to the back of the queue you will be able to show your pass, and be moved to the last spot on the priority queue instead, similarly, if you are early for a photo shoot, you will go right to the front of the queue. The pass is designed to allow you to construct your time at the event more efficiently rather than spending a lot of it queueing.

 

For more information on the Diamond Pass or to purchase yours now, please visit our DIAMOND PASS page.

HOW DO THE Q&A PANELS WORK?

At For the Love of Sci-Fi we host all of our question and answer panels with our special guests on our For the Love of Sci-Fi LIVE stage in the main arena.

 

As with the photograph sessions, individual panel times will be advertised for you both in our official programme available at the door and on schedules displayed throughout the event throughout the day, and will also be announced on the tannoy as and when they are about to happen so you do not miss them. About 10-15 minutes before the panel is due to start, you should walk over to the stage area and find a seat, the guest will then come onto the stage for the panel (which will be run by one of our official convention hosts) and you will be free to listen to them talk and potentially have any questions you may have for them personally answered.

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DO YOU CHARGE FOR Q&A PANELS?
A lot of our Q&A panels will be included in the price of your entry ticket but for some of our guests that are in high demand, there will be a charge to secure your place in the panel audience. Tickets for these panels will go on sale closer to the date of the event (usually 1-2 months beforehand), to keep yourself up to date with all of our announcements, we advise you to subscribe to our newsletter and also follow us on our scoial media channels for more information and updates. Click HERE to subscribe now.

WHEN ARE PANEL SCHEDULES RELEASED?
The Q&A panel schedules are put into place closer to the event date, roughly 1-2 months before the date of the event, when released we will always send out a mailer to our subcription database and also post the schedules on our social media. Please subscribe and follow to keep up to date. Click on the social media buttons at the footer of our website to follow us and also to subscribe.

CAN MY CHILD ATTEND THE CONVENTION ALONE?
If your child is over the age of 16 then yes, they may attend the convention without adult supervision, any younger than this and a full paying adult MUST attend with them, please see our TICKET FAQ page for more information.

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CAN MY CHILD ATTEND THE AFTER PARTY?

Absolutely! Our For the Love of Sci-Fi after party will be held in the Cantina Space Bar on the top floor, please note that we do allow children but no toddlers or babies. Please see our AFTER PARTY page for more information and to buy your tickets.

 

You can find more information on various aspects of the convention throughout our website and you can also purchase both entry and photo/autograph tickets by visiting our TICKETS PAGE.