Anime Weekend Atlanta 2024
December 12th-15th, 2024
Atlanta, GA

 

So… AWA is different!

But oh so familiar lol. It’s hard to describe but I’ll get to that a bit later. This year I stayed at the Signia by Hilton Hotel next to the GWCC. Just like Momocon, I ran a boudoir promo during the con and put in some work while actually taking time to enjoy the actual con. A big shoutout to all the awesome people who booked a shoot with me this year! I’m really proud of the work we created! Hopefully, with their blessing/consent, I’ll be able to share some more of that work in the coming weeks!

So back to AWA… I’m kind of in that weird in-between of people who attended AWA throughout the years. I haven’t been going for over a decade like some of you, however, I do remember how it was in the “before times” (especially pre-pandemic when it was the week after DragonCon). It was an intimate con. Crowd was smaller and it felt like a good place for adult geeks to really connect. Dragon Con was fun times but I made some of my most solid connections with people I met at AWA. That said, I like what AWA has become. I wasn’t crazy about it last year but I can see they’ve taken feedback from the attendees and honestly gave us a SOLID con. There are some things I miss from the Cobb Galleria era (like the courtyard, weather, and Renaissance Waverly Lobby), but overall it was a great con where I never had that “there’s nothing to do right now” feeling. I think if we can have a designated area for vibes/impromptu turnups, that will be all I need to solidify it as a “can’t miss” con.

Also, big shout out to the people who handled programming. DragonCon is a bit better about this now but this is the first time that I’ve been to con outside of BlerDCon and Dream Con that I heard music at official parties that wasn’t just songs out of current/former Top 40 charts lol. TrapSushi was a vibe (pictures below) and InvAsian was a great time. Saturday’s Rave was also solid (I liked the later DJs). It was also great to see amapiano and afrobeats being featured at an official party too.

Overall 7.8/10 con for me this year. That score isn’t based on anything beyond 8/10 feels slightly too high and 7.5/10 feels too low lol.

As always, if we met for the first time, DON’T BE A STRANGER! If you see me and recognize me say wassup! I’ll do the same! Remind when we met if I’m a lil slow. Vibe with ya boy! It was a pleasure meeting you all.

Feel free to download and share but please credit @GXFTD as the photographer if you’re posting on IG (or @iamGXFTD on Twitter).

Right-Clicking and selecting ¨Open Image In New Tab¨ will allow you to see the larger version of the images (long press if you’re on mobile for the download option).

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