There will be three steps to the lottery system: Application, Lottery & Registration

Step 1: Application 

Online application is open from 1st November 2024 to 14th November 2024. 

The form will require the following information:

• Contact information
• Your preferred type of Overload table (Standard/Special)
• Social media link/s
• Photographs of items you intend to sell (incomplete work, similar items you sold at previous Overloads or other events are acceptable) Please refer FAQ for more details.
• Any special requirements regarding table allocation (e.g. access for disabled, etc.)     

All applications will be screened to ensure adherence to the terms and conditions (i.e.: appropriate for Overload, no bootleg, no commercially produced items, no traced artwork, etc.). Fan art and fan crafts are acceptable. Your art style and skill level do not affect eligibility.

Please note: only 1 entry per artist, multiple entries will be discarded. If you are sharing your table with another artist (secondary artist), please provide the secondary artist information on the Application form.

We do our best to ensure plenty of Overload Artist Tables are available for our more enthusiastic and dedicated artists, especially local, independent and creative amateurs. 

Step 2: Lottery 

Once the application period has closed and the screening procedure is complete the eligible applications will be entered into the lottery. A randomiser will select 258 applicants from the lottery pool (22 Overload Special Tables & 236 Overload Standard Tables). All lottery applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, can expect to be notified by 20th of November 2025. Unsuccessful applicants will be added to the Waitlist.

Step 3: Registration

Successful applicants will receive instructions for the next steps to complete Artist Registration and secure a table. Special Table registration must be completed on 1-2 December and Standard Table registration on 3-7 December. Failure to complete registration will result in your table being offered to an artist randomly selected from the waitlist. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Yes. We want to ensure that applicants meet Overload Artist Table criteria, which allows us to make more tables available for dedicated and creative local artists. Your art/design styles and skill level will NOT affect your application.

Examples of your work do not have to be new work. 

You can use photos or images of your artwork (goods) you sold at previous Overload or other conventions.

The Overload Artist Table is how we support our community of Anime and Manga creatives, by providing an affordable platform for fans and enthusiasts to sell their artworks and goods to the New Zealand Anime and Manga community – think Comiket! We welcome artists both local and international, amateur and professional.  Registering for an Overload Artist Table is a fantastic way to connect with the community and your fellow artists.

All items sold by you must be designed or created by you. Fan art and fan crafts based on Asian media (i.e.: anime, manga, manhwa, manhua, donghua, live action TV shows, video games, phone games, etc.) and western pop culture series are accepted. Overload Committee defines fan art and fan crafts as your original work based on licensed, copyrighted material and characters. Overload Artist Tables are not for companies selling commercially licensed goods.

Please bear in mind that our Overload Community’s interests are Anime, Manga and Japanese games.

Popular goods sold at previous years’ Overload Artist Tables include illustrations, posters, comics/manga, key chains, charms, games, book-marks, buttons, badges, plushies and portrait services – our artists bring a lot of variety, so feel free to experiment with your creativity!

While most artists use their tables to sell art, we do allow artists to hold other activities at their table. However, please remember that you must not block your neighbours’ tables. When conducting any kind of activity which will draw an audience or queue (portrait art, games, giveaways etc.) you must be mindful of guests, attendees, and fellow artists.

Yes. If you are an artist wishing to support Overload in a different capacity, you can enquire about booking an Exhibitor stand by contacting us at [email protected]

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the registered artist cannot attend the event, your registration can be transferred ONLY if there is an artist from the waitlist who is willing to take your table – the waitlist artist will be selected at random by Overload Committee.  Only then can your registration be transferred and registration fee refunded (excluding processing fees). Contact [email protected]

Important:

• No transfers of tables will be considered after 1st of April 2025.
• If you transfer table after the event program deadline, updates cannot be made.

We are sorry to hear that you can not complete the registration. The lottery is not transferable to a nominated artist of your choice, however, it will be offered to an artist randomly selected from the waitlist.

Thank you for showing interest in having a booth at Overload. Yes we have a Exhibitor Stand option for companies, schools and artists. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

If we are unable to hold Overload due to an emergency, we will postpone it.

Your registrations will still apply for the new date. If the new date isn’t suitable for you, you must request a refund of registration fee within two weeks of the postponement announcement.