Original post written by Ahmar Wolf
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”.
Hear ye, hear ye! 
Read the full announcement: 
seasonally spooky 
