Means Furry News
Calling all Evil Mixologists: we need YOUR help crafting the most diabolically delicious cocktail for our Villainous Vacation! 🍸🍹🏴☠️
Submit your villain-themed cocktail or mocktail recipe and you can win an MFF t-shirt and have your recipe featured at the Hyatt.
Enter here: https://ow.ly/FtGl50XmT19
MFF has finally made their schedule OFFICIAL, despite being listed on Sched for the last few weeks. The most notable changes is the Furry Variety Show is on the same time as Friday’s Fursuit Games. In addition MFF has literally gone from all you did on Thursday was get your badge and head back to your hotel. To a full blown schedule, of no less than 49 panels. Not even joking see for yourself
https://midwestfurfest2025.sched.com/
There is a lot, but that isn’t the only change this year…
Hall F is the biggest change. They moved the Dealer’s Den to the largest space it ever had. But also a space where a lot say it should have been for years. Can’t wait to see who is going to be there. Adult Annex also has a larger space as well as the Art Show. Both got moved.
I would also say more of the convention is at the convention center. Not that is a bad move, it’s dealing with the crowd. Something the anime convention have been doing for years.
There has been some insane bottlenecks with the crowd over the years. Last year it was Artist Alley, which I could not get into on Friday. A friend and I had to wait until Saturday Morning.
Another thing I noticed is that the more popular events for the most part at the convention center. Save for Main and Secondary stage events they are both still at the hotel. I think there will be less traveling in The Corridor of Death AKA The Skybridge. Still hope for good weather, what really helped was sunny skies and more taking the outside route. Which for the record is shorter.
As for me I am working on what I want to see and that Corridor video I do that is still quite popular. I think I have no choice but to start at the hotel. As for the rest that is still pretty much TBA for now.
As far as the Picks for Panel. They are quite good. More comedy this year, although I wish Alkali makes a come back. Those running similar panels do quite a good job. You got an amazing range we got everything from Circus Furs to a Plush meet, at least 1 game show, and a meet for furries in business. I said it was a good range.
So who are MCP?
Mission Compassion Paw (MCP) is a nonprofit dog rescue and humanitarian organization, uses the international language of art to imprint compassion for animals into urban youth culture.
MCP Rescue is a Chicago-based animal rescue that finds Forever Homes for the overlooked, abused, neglected, in need, at-risk dogs (and cats). They believe every animal is an individual with their own idiosyncrasies, gifts, likes and dislikes, just like humans. MCP is the opposite of a revolving door type of rescue model.
MCP may not have the large numbers monthly but they have a return rate lower than 3% and they know where their dogs are and how they are. 85% of the dogs MCP bring into the Pack are considered true underdogs and harder to adopt, whether the dogs be of Pitbull types dogs, XL breeds, bonded pairs, seniors, major medical, or hospice. MCP looks at this process as adopting new humans into the Pack vs adopting the dogs out.
Did you submit a panel or live performance application? Emails have gone out to all applicants regardless of outcome (check your junk mail just in case)!
If you haven’t received an email, please email us at programming@furfest.org and we will confirm the outcome of your application!
Editor’s Note:
Yes I know not getting a chance to do your panel sucks. Getting turned down is not the greatest feeling. But as I am so often reminded. That you have a better chance of doing that panel at a smaller con. Many of whom often have a shortage.
The link is legit although nothing official has been posted. But it does give a look at what is to come. But keep in mind changes will be made, so this isn’t set in stone. In fact there are a few errors, I noticed. But this years crop of panels look pretty good.
If you ever wondered what a rejection letter from MFF ever looked like
Dear Guest:
Thank you for submitting your application for a panel/event or live performance for consideration at this year’s Midwest Furfest.
This year, we received a record number of applications. In fact, we received so many that only about half the submissions we received could be scheduled. And, in the Live Performance category, only about a third of the acts have been provided a spot to perform.
If you are receiving this email, we regret that it is because one or more of your submissions will not be part of our schedule this year. (You may have also received another email indicating that one or more of your submissions was approved if you submitted more than one event.)
Our review process, completed by our Programming Team, considers a wide range of factors including, but not limited to:
· Historical data on attendance, feedback from Guests, etc.
· Balancing a desire to provide first-time panelists an opportunity at MFF vs. providing space to perennial presenters/performers
· Feasibility of the panel/performance based on technical, logistic, or other aspects
· Requested day/time and type of space required
· Anticipated crowd management concerns
Already, we are looking to 2026 to see how we may provide more panel and live performance spaces within our current venues. We are hopeful that with some changes, we’ll be able to improve on the number of panels and performances that we can host.
We are always willing to answer any questions you may have about the process we use in planning our programming schedule – a process which takes a team cumulatively over one hundred hours to complete. You are welcome to contact us at programming@furfest.org and we will reply as soon as possible.
Thank you again for being willing to provide your time and energy to making MFF an amazing entertainment event for our Guests.
Sincerely,
Fernando “bcbreakaway” Po
Director of Programming – MFF 2025
Yes it hurts and I am disappointed I really was looking forward to doing this panel.
But as we always say here in Chicago. “Wait to next year”.
What some have been waiting for THE HOTEL BLOCK IS OPEN!!! https://www.furfest.org/attend/hotels
Frankly we are getting to CRUNCH time for MFF and the hotels. Even though the con is still 2 months away. You might think that is crazy since there are 11 hotels on that list. Believe me they will go fast. If your going to try for one of these I am not joking when I say you have to act NOW!!! The more people know about this the more they will want it. Last year I heard 3 hotels sold out with in 24 hours of the hotel block being open. 5 more in 72. MFF is a popular con, I won’t get into the crowd.
Even with 11 hotels there are no guarantees I can not say for certain that a hotel you want isn’t already sold out. Frankly a lot of hotels in the area already are, and they are not on the Hotel Block. Even the hotel where a friend and I are planning to stay is already sold out.
Located near O’Hare airport and also in an area where conventions take place. There are a lot rooms in the area. Doubt it pull up The Convention Center on Google Map and click on that tab for hotels. Go back about 5 miles. That is how many hotels are sold out by Nov 1st. I really wish I was making that up. Last year I spoke to someone who was staying at a Downtown Chicago hotel for MFF because they couldn’t find anything closer.
Seriously the only way to get a room for MFF is book it was early as possible. I made my reservation back in April.
I wish you all Good Luck, you will need it
As they been doing for the last few years MFF is having shuttle buses take furries to the major hotels
1 thing I know lovers of Public Transit (Cheap) don’t want to hear. But due to possible lack of funding all buses and subways may stop running at 9PM.
Stand by for updates
We are now ✨OPEN✨ for Panel and Live Performance Submissions!!
From now until 11:59pm September 30th you can submit your ideas.
Bring your most creative collaboration, most fun-filled meetup, most melodic performance, and apply below: https://ow.ly/ChtC50WWn6X
And yes I submitted a panel will let you know once it’s approved (I hope) for the upcoming MFF
They are now OPEN for Dance Competition Sign-Ups!
https://www.furfest.org/events/dance-comp
DJ Submissions are also open
