Event Kicks Off: Comic Con Annual Gathering in Astana, 2025
In the heart of Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, a vibrant spectacle of pop culture is set to captivate over 70,000 attendees, including 10,000 international tourists, from the 9th to the 13th of July. Comic Con Astana 2025 promises an unforgettable experience, hosting a plethora of events at two iconic venues: Barys Arena and Astana Arena.
Three renowned Hollywood stars will grace the festival: Esai Morales, Andy Serkis, and Scott Adkins. Esai Morales, with a 40-year career in Hollywood, is best known for his roles in the hit TV series *Ozark* and *Titans*, as well as the two most recent *Mission: Impossible* films with Tom Cruise. Andy Serkis, a British actor and director, is celebrated for his work in "The Lord of the Rings", "Planet of the Apes", "Star Wars", and "Batman". Scott Adkins, an actor and martial arts master, is known for his work in the "Undisputed" series, "John Wick 4", "Doctor Strange", and "Ip Man 4".
The international cosplay competition, a traditional part of the Comic Con Astana-2025 programme, will offer a prize fund of 15 million tenge. The jury for this competition includes renowned cosplayers from around the world, such as Yaya Han (USA), Cinderys (France), Ran Hime (Kyrgyzstan), and others.
At Barys Arena, show programs, an international cosplay competition, meet-and-greets with headliners, and a main stage with autograph sessions and Q&A sessions will take place. Astana Arena will host a large exhibition zone with thematic booths, branded installations, a minor stage, a gaming zone, and Pop Asia.
Moreover, the film "La Tregua" (The Truce) will be presented at the festival, marking its first co-production between Kazakhstan and Spain. Miguel Ángel Vivas, director of "The Paper House", and Emilio A. Pina, producer of Premios Goya, are expected to attend the festival.
The festival will also host the official stage of TEKKEN World Tour 2025, an international tournament for the fighting game Tekken 8. More than 90 players will compete for ranking points and a prize fund of 400,000 tenge.
Special guests of the festival include Marmok, Qewbite, Anton Mills, Johan, Eugene Sagaz, Nastya Jackson, Big Gleb, authors of Metal Family, and others. All headliners will participate in autograph sessions, Q&A sessions, and press conferences, ensuring an unparalleled opportunity for festival-goers to interact with their favourite stars.
Comic Con Astana 2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable event, bridging the gap between pop culture enthusiasts and Hollywood icons, while showcasing the vibrant and growing pop culture scene in Kazakhstan.
- The international cosplay competition, a traditional part of Comic Con Astana-2025, will offer a prize fund of 15 million tenge, attracting renowned cosplayers such as Yaya Han (USA), Cinderys (France), and Ran Hime (Kyrgyzstan) along with other international judges.
- Events like the TEKKEN World Tour 2025, an international tournament for the fighting game Tekken 8, the film "La Tregua" (The Truce) co-production between Kazakhstan and Spain, and panels featuring Hollywood stars such as Esai Morales, Andy Serkis, and Scott Adkins will delve into various aspects of pop-culture, entertainment, sci-fi-and-fantasy at Comic Con Astana 2025.