Terms & Conditions General Public

ANIMANIA – INTENT AND POLICIES

Animania’s aim is to provide a fun and safe experience for as wide a range of attendees as possible. These Terms and Conditions (hereafter T&C) have been written to ensure that this happens. Please help Animania by reading up on T&C before arriving at the Festival and following them once you are there. We are all to have a good time, so please act responsibly.

A NOTE ON RATINGS

Most events at the Festival are rated G to PG. Certain events that may go beyond a PG rating will be clearly marked as such on the program. Please do keep in mind that as rating systems vary internationally, instances of profanity, nudity or extreme violence may be present in events. Therefore, we always recommend parental guidance in viewing choices.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

If your actions violate these T&Cs you will be asked to stop these actions. Aurora Entertainment Pty Ltd (hereinafter referred to as “the Organisation”) reserves the right to ask anyone violating the T&C to leave the Festival. The Organisation may disallow a person who continues violating the T&C to re-enter the Festival in future years.

Also note that if your actions cause any permanent damage to the Venue, regardless of whether they violate the T&C or not you will be charged to pay for the repairs.

The Terms and Conditions are divided into five sections for easy reference, with additional sub-headings within them. Note, the Weapons Policy is within Security and Legal Issues as weapons and fake weapons have potential legal ramifications.

1. Entry into the Festival
2. Security and Legal Issues
3. At the Festival
4. Occupational Health and Safety
5. Declaration

1. ENTRY INTO THE FESTIVAL

The PASS is your ticket IN and OUT of the Festival. Passes must be worn at all times and visible whenever possible. If you removed your Pass or tamper / damage the Pass in any way – you will be asked to leave and re-register again. The only time you need to remove your Pass is at the close of each Festival day. If you do not have a Pass when you leave, you will be directed to registration and the adult weekend pass will be payable before you are granted leave. If you fail to comply, you will be reported to the proper authorities for trespassing.

If a pass is revoked, the attendee can appeal the circumstances to the Executive Staff during the Festival. They will decide there and then (on the day) whether or not to reinstate the Animania attendee's pass privileges.

2. SECURITY AND LEGAL ISSUES

IMPORTANT: Violation of T&Cs which involve activities prohibited by law will result in notification of the proper authorities. See sections on Harassment and Assault, Indecent Exposure, Theft, and Drugs in particular.

A. SECURITY AT ANIMANIA

Security watches for both general offences and possible criminal activity. General offences are handled by Security, who can eject persons from the Festival. Criminal actions are handled by Security or Executive Staff. Regardless of who handles it, certain offences can lead to immediate ejection from the Festival regardless.

Removals can be issued for the following reasons but are not limited to:

• Harassment reports.

• Disorderly conduct / disruption of the Festival.

• Violation of any Festival Policies, and others Organisation Policies directly relating to Animania.

• Avoiding Security / Staff trying to speak with you about a policy violation, or running away from Security / Staff after a policy violation has been declared but before the issue is resolved.

• Violations of ANY Animania Festival’s Terms and Conditions.

For more minor offences, you will be warned. There is NO time limit between warnings.

Criminal actions, if they occur, should be reported to Security / Staff who will follow through with the appropriate course of action deemed necessary.

Security is not responsible for the running of the Festival or any aspect related to its events, but can choose to respond to any disruptive action occurring anywhere in the Venue. If Security chooses to remove an individual from the Festival Site, the Organisers will immediately revoke the attendee's pass.

The Organisation reserves the right to revoke Animania attendee pass and eject anyone at anytime from the Festival without refunds.

B. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

Please be warned that every inch of the Venue is under video surveillance. Therefore, any illegal act you commit is likely to be caught on camera. See IMPORTANT NOTE at the beginning of Legal Issues and Security.

C. ANY HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT

A person who harasses another is guilty of a gross misdemeanour punishable under the NSW Government Summary Offences Act 1988. Harassment is generally any behaviour that intentionally annoys, threatens, or alarms another person. This includes any unwanted physical contact, following someone around a public / function area without a legitimate reason, or threatening to physically attack someone. If you approach someone and they tell you no or to leave them alone, then you have to respect their request. If you do not leave them alone as they have requested, your actions may be grounds for a complaint of harassment.

Offenders will be given a verbal warning per the Security Policy or may be required to hand over their passes and will be removed from the premise if the offence warrants. A formal complaint may also be filed with local authorities. Their decision is final. If you feel that you are being harassed, you have a right to file a complaint at the Information Booth and investigation will follow suit. If you have been assaulted, please report the matter immediately to Staff.

D. INDECENT EXPOSURE

A person who is guilty of obscene exposure is punishable under the NSW Government Summary Offences Act 1988. A person is guilty of obscene exposure if they intentionally make any open and obscene exposure of their person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm. In keeping with this, we request that all attendees wear at suitable attire while in public (this includes Costumes, see Events section for more on this). Staff may at their discretion ask you to change your attire if you are not complying with this policy. Repeat offenders will have their passes revoked and asked to leave the Festival.

E. THEFT POLICY

Theft – or shop stealing is a criminal act that has a zero tolerance policy with the Organisers. The Organisation will seek criminal justice with local authorities for any person (regardless of circumstance) that is caught. You will immediately have your pass taken away and be removed by Security, and be added to a list of people for watch or banning from future Festivals.

F. DRUGS

The Organisation will not tolerate any use of illegal drugs or paraphernalia at the Festival. Any reports of drug use, anyone being under the influence of drugs or dealing in drugs will be turned over to authorities immediately.

G. WEAPON POLICY

We are encouraging attendees that have weapons as part of their costume to use cardboard / plastic / rubber / styrofoam "fake weapons" instead of hard, edged, dangerous "real weapons". (Besides who wants to carry around a 7 foot tall, 2 foot wide steel sword at a Festival?). Anyone caught with a real weapon will be asked to put it away (and deposit it in the cloakroom) for the first time. After that, they will likely have their passes revoked and be escorted out of the Festival by Security / Staff.

All functioning projectile weapons (eg. guns and rifles, including fake ones with plastic bullets etc.) are NOT allowed at all, this includes individuals who possess a weapons permit or concealed weapons permit. Keep them at home. Anyone found in possession of such a weapon will immediate be removed from the Festival. If caught in the illegal possession of a functioning projectile weapon, you will be reported and turned over to the proper authorities.

All allowable weapons will need to be inspected by Staff. Once you have checked into the Festival please head for the Cloakroom. (If you can't find it, please ask Staff for assistance.) Once there, Staff will inspect your weapons, and if the weapons are determined to be safe, you will be allowed to carry in and around the Festival.

Examples of what is NOT allowed:

• Bladed or edged weapons

• Live steel of any kind such as knives, swords, axes, martial arts equipment, shurikens, etc.

• Firearms (unless the owner is an authorised law enforcement official)

• Some wooden weapons such as bokken, staffs, etc.

• Liquid dispensing weapons. This includes spray bottles AND aerosol containers, (unless they are empty).

• Anything that shoots a projectile (this includes realistic and plastic guns)

• Anything that can be used like a weapon in the opinion of the Staff

• Anything the Organisation deems illegal or overly harmful

Things that attendees can bring along:

• Foam, cardboard, or styrofoam props.

• Soft wooden props if the item is fabricated from soft material such as balsa wood, etc.

Weapons should not at any time be waived around in a manner that may be construed as use of the weapon (this is considered brandishing).

If you are found with a weapon and it is drawn in a public / function areas, your pass will be immediately revoked. Keep in mind, NSW Police assume all drawn weapons are functional, and Police Officers will act accordingly.

If you are unsure that your weapon is acceptable in public/function areas, please ask Staff at cloakroom to inspect your item. Please, use good judgement when bringing props / weapons to the Festival. All weapons need to be checked by Staff.

3. AT THE FESTIVAL

IMPORTANT: Literature distribution / Promotion of ANY type without written consent from the Organisation is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with severely and to the full extent permitted under the Law in NSW.

A. COSTUMES

We are all excited about dressing up as characters and in costumes for the upcoming Festival. The Organisation reserves the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and request the wearer to make modifications as necessary. The Festival is a family-friendly event. Please keep this in mind when choosing your costumes and allow your common sense and good taste to prevail.

Do not show up naked, or nearly naked. Remember NO costume is not a costume!! If you want to be on stage during the cosplay a costume IS required.

Certain fetish items, such as collars and leashes - allowed entry by Staff, may be worn discreetly in the public / function areas. Foot coverings, per Bare Feet Policy (see Occupational Health and Safety), are required at the Festival.

B. AUTOGRAPHS

To allow as many attendees as possible to receive an autograph from Festival Guests of Honour, we ask that you please obtain only one (1) autograph per trip. We will not bar any attendee from re-entering the line to obtain additional autographs during the scheduled autograph times, but we ask that you allow others to receive their autographs in a timely fashion as well. Attendees, who arrive early, please respect those who are in line for an earlier session by following directions given to them by Staff present. Each Guest of Honour, whenever possible, will have designated scheduled autograph times during the Festival.

C. GUESTS OF HONOUR

All Guests of Honour for the Festival have taken time out of their busy schedules to attend. All our Guests love to mingle and chat, but how much they'll be able to do this depends on you. People will be able to gather autographs of the Guests during specified times. Mob scenes and other unruly behaviour will result in your pass (and yourself) being removed from the Festival, and the Guests will be sequestered for their safety. Photography is allowed, but please respect any requests our Guests of Honour may have regarding this issue.

D. MERCHANDISE

All merchandise must be paid for. Be sure to keep the receipts with you at all times. We know things can get crowded and busy, especially at a Festival. Please wait your turn and pay for the items that you wish to buy. Theft will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will be reported to the proper authorities (see Theft under Security and Legal Issues for specifics regarding this matter).

E. PHOTOGRAPHY

Cameras and camcorders are allowed at Animania.

Photography of original artwork in Artists Alley is not allowed without prior permission of the Artist.

Photography of all other aspects of the Festival is allowed, as long as it does not disrupt events or the flow of traffic and the subject does not object.

Please be considerate and ask first before taking pictures of Guests, Staff, other attendees or the general public.

All photographs and filming that is done at the Festival is authorised for personal use ONLY and is not authorised for use in Public Domain or Publication without the written consent from the Organisation.

F. SIGNAGE POLICY

Please refrain from wearing signs that offer services in public. Examples: "Glomp Me, Hugs For $1, Backrubs for Free, Follow me for Glow Sticks, Will Yuri for Yaoi". Any attendee carrying a sign deemed inappropriate by Staff will be asked to remove it immediately.

Decorations, signs and banners (and similar material) may not be taped, nailed, tacked, stapled, or otherwise fastened to ceilings, walls, painted surfaces, or columns in the Venue. No holes may be drilled, cored, or punched in the Venue. No sand, glitter or other miscellaneous decorations are allowed in the Venue. Remember, you will be charged for any damage you cause to the Venue.

G. VIDEO RECORDING POLICY

Video recording for all uses at main events is permitted. Video recording at the 'Meet the Guest' reception will be prohibited without prior approval from the Organisation. All video recorders will be strictly prohibited within the Art Show, Theater/Video Rooms, and Anime Music Video Contest. If you have already requested and obtained a media pass, you MUST sign in at the Entry Point. The Organisation reserves the right to grant or deny approval for all video recording requests. In addition, permissions may be retracted at any time.

4. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

A. FOOD

The policy of the Venue owners does not allow outside food items to be brought in to the Festival. There will be refreshment available for purchase onsite.

B. LIABILITY

Every due care has been taken to ensure that the Venue is optimally safe. However the Organisation and staff including its associates are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury. Attendees are responsible for their individual actions and any repercussions that may result. Staff are on hand for assistance in any situation, but any civil or medical emergency is to be handled directly by the relevant authorities. See the Festival booklet for more information on cloakroom, information booths, and first aid posts.

C. MINORS

We encourage people of all ages to come enjoy the Festival, but since some of our programming may be adult-specific (Rated R) and the Venue owners ask certain policies of us, it is necessary to confirm the status and place of minors.

Minor Policy Broken Down

? Minors Age 12 and under:

ALL children age 12 and under MUST be accompanied by a Parent / Guardian at all times!

Under no circumstances will Minors be allowed entry to the Festival unaccompanied.

When Minors pick up their pre-registration or registration pass, they are to be accompanied by their Parent or designated Guardian – who is also registered as an attendee of the Festival.

Any Guardian must be age 18 or over, and have written parental permission from the minor's Parent or Legal Guardian.

We are a family-friendly Festival and want everyone to have a safe and fun time at Animania.

D. ANIMALS

Animals are not allowed in the Venue. Nor will Animals be allowed to participate in any Cosplay event. The ONLY Exception to this rule exists for people who require a registered Guide Dog to assist with their mobility.

E. BARE FEET

Bare Feet are prohibited in any public/function areas of the Festival. All attendees whether they are in costume or not, are required to have some type of foot covering. Due to Public Health and Safety requirements, the Venue requires that all attendees abide by this rule. Acceptable foot coverings are shoes, socks, sandals, thongs and slippers. So it means when you enter, leave and during your time in the Venue, you must be wearing some foot covering. Those who do not comply with this rule may be approached by Staff to change their current attire to include some foot apparel. Failure to comply may result in your removal from attending or participating in the Festival. If you have no shoes or foot covering, you will be asked to put some on or you will not be granted admittance to the Festival.

Management reserves the right to eject anyone who does not comply with this policy.

F. CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL

No consumption of alcohol is permitted at the Festival! If you appear to be in intoxicated you will not be allowed into the Festival, and will be removed by Staff if found intoxicated inside the Festival.

G. SLEEPING IN FESTIVAL AREAS

Do NOT sleep in the Festival areas, halls, stairways, and other public/function areas. You will be asked to leave should this action persist.

H. SMOKING

There is absolutely no smoking permitted in public/function areas. It is against Australian Law covering all States and Territories. Do not smoke in the Festival Venue. Smoking will set off fire-alarms, even in the toilets, anyone found deliberately setting off the fire-alarms will have to answer to Security and the Authorities.

5. DECLARATION

I hereby hold Aurora Entertainment (and its staff and volunteers) harmless from all manner of damages and/or claims and agree to indemnify Animania (and its staff and volunteers) from any and all actions, claims or damages of any manner.

I understand that by entering Animania, I may be filmed or photographed by the Organisation and this may be used on future promotional materials the Organisation produces.

By attending and participating in the Festival, I hereby state that I have read and understood the Animania Festival Policies & Guidelines and agree to follow them throughout the duration of my Festival visit.