Below is last year's special guest information. Save the Date for This Year's Finn-Con on 6/15/24! Stay tuned for more information.
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Dr. Kazuko Suzuki Kazuko Suzuki (PhD, Princeton) is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University. She has research and teaching experience at various institutions such as the Department of Sociology, the Council of East Asian Studies, and the Program of Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale University, the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) and the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity (CCSRE) at Stanford University, the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, the Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI) and the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race (CSER) at Columbia University. She loves Japanese anime and manga, and adopts them in teaching courses such as Race & Ethnic Relations and Gender & Sexuality. She is currently working on a book manuscript on Japanese BL/Yaoi novels. |
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Sajad Shah Sajad Shah is a comic book artist best known for Brimstone and The Borderhounds. He also worked on Max Hunter, Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams, and Transformers: Lost Light. Born and raised in Miami (and former student at MDC North Campus), Sajad grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons and reading comics. Sajad is currently the artist on the indie title Zindan: The Last Ansaars. Other credits include: Variant Cover Artist for Team Kevin Eastman's Tennage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) cross over with Batman, screenplay adaptation to graphic novel of Prey for Angels, Heroes Initiative's The Walking Dead 100 Project, as well as IDW's JinnRise, Contraband Comics, and Zenescope. |
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Nerds Know Nerds Know is a premiere entertainment panel group of South Florida. This group of nerds has extensive knowledge in pretty much all things nerdy: Disney, Anime, Sci-Fi, Comics, Pop Culture, Cosplay and more! Their panels range from in depth lectures to highly interactive events. Chances are that their panels will have you shaking your head in disbelief or laughing hysterically in your seat! The group is made of convention veterans, college professors, and convention professionals. They have seen it all and want to share their love of all things nerdy with you! After individually hosting panels for more than a decade, they joined forces in 2016 to found Nerds Know. Since then, their content has exploded with their combined efforts. The Nerds Know sum is greater than the total of their parts. |
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Flynn's Gaming (Arcade & More) Flynn's Arcade & More is a legit old school meets new school arcade located in Margate, FL. Flynn's has everything from upright arcade games, video games, and much more. Flynn's hosts weekly fighting game tournaments of all of the latest and popular fighters in the South Florida fighting game community. Whether you're experienced or a novice, all levels of competitors are welcomed. So come out, invite your friends and join them on a exclusive experience you won't get anywhere else! |
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The Orange State Ghostbusters Founded in 2008, The Orange State Ghostbusters are a non-profit charity. This costuming fan-group of enthusiasts is comprised of like-minded people throughout the State of Florida that want to spread their love of Ghostbusters with the community. Their current charity is the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. |
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Miami Philharmonic Orchestra Founded in 2020, the Miami Philharmonic has been a dream in the works for more than 5 years. Founder and Director, Alberto Bade, wanted to unite musicians from all over the world to deliver a unique, powerful, and captivating orchestral experience. Living in South Florida for over 30 years, he understands the unique cultural needs of our community. The Miami Phil is also focused on providing children and their families with opportunities to learn and expand their appreciation for this genre of music through concerts, clinics, and mentorship programs. |
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The Graphic Novel Group The Graphic Novel Group (GNG) promotes appreciation of graphic novels, graphic non-fiction, comics, and related art and literary forms, and supports the use of these materials for interdisciplinary teaching, social awareness, and personal enrichment. The Group engages students and other members of the MDC community in co-curricular events (such as guest lectures, facilitated discussions, creative workshops, etc.), and makes recommendations for the MDC Libraries’ print and online collections of graphic novels and graphic non-fiction. Sponsored by the MDC Learning Resources Department, the GNG is a college-wide group of faculty, administrators, and staff. For more information, contact Jenny Saxton. To receive notifications about the Graphic Novel Group's events, sign up on their email list. |
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Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex Inaugurated in 2015, the Miami Animation and Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College is the first facility of its kind at a public higher education in Florida. Modeled after a feature production studio — MAGIC has positioned itself as a new animation and gaming industry hub and has gathered enthusiasts, studio executives, software specialists, artists and others from around the country to collaborate in different initiatives. Both academic programs “Animation & Game Art” and “Game Development & Design,” are industry focused, with a skilled training curriculum designed to fill jobs currently in demand by the industry. A college credit certificate is also offered on “Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies,” where immersive simulations can be designed not only for entertainment, but a range of other industries going from healthcare to logistics. |
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Miami-Dade Public Library System The Miami-Dade County Library System (MDPLS) includes most of Miami-Dade County with the exception of the municipalities of Bal Harbour and Surfside. Miami-Dade Public Library System maintains reciprocal borrowing relationships with each of the municipalities that operate municipal libraries. Throughout the past century, Miamians have watched their public libraries grow from a reading room in Lemon City to 50 libraries spanning the county’s southernmost point in Naranja to its northern reaches in Sunny Isles Beach. The library system has not only grown, but also dramatically evolved in the way services are provided—all in an effort to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the people of Miami‑Dade County. MDPLS invites you to visit any of their 50 locations in person, or to access the wide range of eBooks, audio books, research and learning materials, music, and videos that are available online. |
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Dade County Library Association DCLA (Dade County Library Association) is a community of Miami Dade information professionals ranging from academia to public to school libraries. They are an active professional organization composed of librarians and others interested in librarianship. With over 100 active members, DCLA is committed to promoting and advocating bibliographic and information services in Miami-Dade County. |
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Cybrarium The Cybrarium, a one-of-a-kind public library that breaks the mold of traditional learning, offers an exciting blend of cutting-edge technology and service delivery. Located in newly redeveloped Downtown Homestead, a bustling destination for entertainment, dining and retail, the Cybrarium presents a modern approach to education and enrichment. |
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Hyrule Winds Hyrule Winds is a woodwind quintet based in South Florida specializing in music from your favorite video games. Founder, flutist/oboist, and principal arranger William “Billy” Beamsderfer discovered his passion for music, learning first the flute, then oboe. He honed his skills performing classical music, and held principal positions in All-State Band, Broward Symphony Orchestra, and New Directions Chamber Winds. Though he enjoyed classical music, he always felt like something was missing. Then, just by chance, he came across a video game concert on YouTube. Hearing his favorite music performed live gave him an “aha!” moment. He realized he could combine his musical training with a lifelong love of video games into a unique niche. Not long after that, Hyrule Winds was born. Featuring music from Super Mario Brothers, Halo, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, and Undertale, Hyrule Winds will take you on a memorable journey through your favorite video game worlds. |
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S15 Costuming Steven Rodriguez (S15 Costuming) is an award-winning cosplayer and prop-maker based in Miami that is known for his Fallout and Nintendo cosplays, winning various cosplay awards at anime and comic cons in South Florida over the past 10 years. S15 has had his cosplay work featured by Bethesda, The Wand Company, and Nintendo Life, just to name a few. When he's not cosplaying, he's streaming on Twitch. He also raises money for Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, FL via Extra Life, an organization that brings gamers together to raise money for their local children's hospitals. |
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Anime Iwai Anime Iwai is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Southeastern Florida with over a decade of convention experience. Funded by their attendees and board of directors, their staff works tirelessly on a volunteer basis to produce conventions and events focused on building friendships and positively contributing to their community. |
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Weeb Warfare Weeb Warfare is a Miami based organization that specializes in the creation of battle arenas for participants of all ages, including activities for Live Action Role Play (LARPing), as well as teaching the art of how to craft boffer (foam) gear and make padded armor. |
