Getting There
Trains will be operating from Southern Cross Station (Platform 8) to the Melbourne Showgrounds every 20-40 minutes throughout the day. The same goes for the reverse trip. You can plan your trip via the PTV website.
If taking the tram is more your style, catch the 57 from Elizabeth Street/Flinders Street to Epsom Road/Sandown Road and walk 200 metres to the Showgrounds entrance. If your costume is going to give the ticket inspectors a fright, driving there means entering Gate 7 of the Showgrounds. It’s $10 per day. The Melbourne Showgrounds is also a fully accessible venue with access ramps to all pavilions and buildings.
Super Supanova Activities
Supanova proceedings officially kick off at 6pm on the Friday night and guests will be treated to an official opening ceremony, with appearances from some of the world’s most creative animated and non-animated screen virtuosos and a Q&A panel involving some of the stars from British science fiction television program Torchwood.
Later in the evening, the Cosplay Theatre will host the very best from anime production, including Dragon Ball Z’s Brina Palencia and Battle of the Planets’ Ronnie Shell.
There’s Supa-Concerts and Supa-Screenings Too
If you fancy yourself a bit of a Super-Saiyan then you can unleash your inner Dragon Ball Z at the Kamehameha Blast Off. The Australian Wrestling Federation will also be bringing their brute and brawn throughout three action-packed demonstrational shows. If you like a supa-concert, symphonic rock group Critical Hit will be performing in the Cosplay Theatre from 6pm on Saturday April 16. Geek-pop singer/songwriter Meri Amber will be running the Sunday 6pm set.
Supa-screenings are cool too. John Jarratt’s original Stan production Wolf Creek will be showcased from 8pm in the Cosplay Theatre. Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of upcoming sci-fi action film Garrison 7 will be revealed with director Scott A. Brewer and his cast in attendance.
Super Supanova Guests
Jack Gleeson
The Irish actor is the face of despicable boy-king Joffrey Baratheon in worldwide fantasy drama phenomenon Game of Thrones and will be in Melbourne for a Q&A session in the Cosplay Theatre on the Saturday. Capping it off, he’ll be involved in a signing and photo session on both Saturday and Sunday.
Allison Mack
She’s Clark Kent’s sidekick in the long-running critically acclaimed supernatural drama Smallville and happened to direct two episodes of the series. She’ll be talking small things in the Features Theatre on Saturday and will be signing autographs and taking photos on both Saturday and Sunday.
Manu Bennett
A New Zealander whose best known for his role as the Orc king Azog in The Hobbit Trilogy. He’ll be joined by Power Rangers kingpin Eka Darville for a question and answer session in the Features Theatre on Sunday.
Bonnie Wright
We all know her as Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter, now she’s an acclaimed director as well, having starred in and directed Medusa’s Ankles alongside fellow Potter star Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy). She’ll be open for questioning in the Cosplay Theatre on Sunday.
Cosplay, playa.
From Sydney Newman’s Doctor Who to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, costumes often shape the identity of a television show and sometimes a supporter base is created purely from what they see rather than what they hear. Cosplay represents a celebration of these costumes as fans compete for the top prize and eternal glory of Best Dressed.
The 2016 Supanova Cosplay Competition will incorporate six categories of the finest costuming, whether it be individual or group, the judges will be keenly watching for enthusiasm as well as glamour. The Cosplay competition kicks off on the Sunday.
