FanimeCon Stage Zero Application form

In a land clogged with attendees, artists, dealers, and cosplayers, where does one turn for comfort, relief, and entertainment? Stage Zero, of course!

Stage Zero is located smack dab in the middle of the San Jose Convention Center Concourse for your random entertainment needs. Watch events and performances, or listen to fantastic music while you plan out which panel to attend. Have a seat, watch the wackiness, or participate in games for prizes while you wait for friends to come back from the bathroom.

Let Stage Zero be your information nerve center to the rest of the convention by way of its talented staff. So don’t be afraid to take a load off your feet for a while and absorb the amazing that is Stage Zero!

Stage Zero will be returning for FanimeCon 2026, and we hope that you’ll come and join us.

The deadline is March 15, 2026. Industry requests are not being accepted at this time.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at stagezero@fanime.com.

All fields with a * are required.

About You

  1. This will be how we refer to you.

  3. This should be your at-con phone number, in case we need to reach out to you during the convention.

About Your Event

  1. Panel Titles must be 30 characters or less, including spaces.

  2. Please select any or all styles that apply to your event.

  3. This is the text that will go on the website, as well as our Stage Zero schedule. Descriptions must be 140 characters or less, including white spaces.

  4. Explain to Stage Zero Staff what you want to do on stage and how you plan to do it.

  5. To help us have an idea of what you would like to do on Stage Zero, please list any video references you may have to your performance/event here.

Technical Needs

  1. Please list the songs or videos you are planning to perform to.
    Stage Zero wishes to showcase a variety of music.

  2. Stage Zero can provide up to eight wireless microphones. However, we cannot accommodate personal equipment.

  3. Picture files should be 1920 x 1080 pixels. Pictures and images should not include references to websites or promotions of companies, contact information, or social media other than the names of your group, performers, and/or song name.
  4. Audio files must be provided on a USB flash drive, 320kbps Constant Bit Rate Stereo Quality .mp3.
  5. Video files must be provided on a USB flash drive, .mp4 or .mov container, with the h264 codec. 1080p is recommended, but 720p and 480p are accepted.
  6. Performances involving live instruments (including electric guitars, amplified instruments, et al.) are not permitted at this time. An acoustic instrument (one) is allowed, however, it cannot be amplified via a microphone, a personal amplifier, or through the sound system. Stage Zero cannot accommodate multiple instruments on stage.
Scheduling Preferences

  1. All scheduled events between 10am-6pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be in 15 minute time slots. Friday 6-7pm and Sunday 6-7pm will be a 30 minute slot. Monday time slots will be 30 minutes.

    Please choose a preferred starting time for your event from the available time blocks.

  2. Choosing time slots on other days will increase your chances of being selected.

  3. We will adjust to fit the schedule and needs of Stage Zero and FanimeCon 2026.

Closing Thoughts
  1. Our stage is 12 feet deep by 24 feet wide by 24 inches high, with a projection wall in the rear, and stairs on stage left.
  2. The floor is sectioned and cannot take too many people or too much stress. It is recommended that you refer to videos of performances on Stage Zero from previous years of FanimeCon to understand how our stage works. Please set your performances to cater to the safety of your performers, the stage, and the attendees of FanimeCon 2026
  3. A maximum of 10 performers on stage at any time during a performance. If you have more than 10 performers, please adjust your transitions to fit the limit of people who can be on stage. Requests for larger groups on stage at the same time will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  4. Performers on Stage Zero are expected to be registered attendees or staff of FanimeCon 2026, as following the mantra of “By Fans For Fans”.
  5. Should your performance include members who are not registered attendees of FanimeCon 2026, and/or parents/guardians would like to view their child(ren)'s performance, please specify the number of non-registered viewers on the application. Stage Zero will have a limited number of performance-only badges available for non-registered viewers.
  6. Non-registered visitors and parents will be escorted from the badge check entrance below Stage Zero to Stage Zero and back by Stage Zero staff for their performance. Once the performance has been completed, all performance-only badges must be immediately returned to Stage Zero staff.
  7. Stage Zero does not have a dressing room available for costume changes. Please be ready in your costumes prior to or during your performance.
  8. Any performances that might cause damage or harm to Stage Zero, Stage Zero equipment, the attendees, staff, and others participating in FanimeCon 2026, and the San Jose Convention Center are subject to immediate shutdown. Failure to inform Stage Zero of any changes to the performance will lead to your performance being canceled.
  9. All performers are subject to the COVID-19 Policy of FanimeCon 2026. Please refer to the FanimeCon 2026 COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for details.
  10. Your performance on Stage Zero is a voluntary (unpaid) performance.

  11. Is there anything else you wish to add to this application?

  13. If you have any questions, please email stagezero@fanime.com.

    Thank you very much for your interest in FanimeCon 2026 and we hope to see you soon!