#SFM5: when the Stranger Things mania takes over Paris

Everything officially started at 7am (9am for us) with the staff handing over the passes and tickets for extras in the hall of the Palais des Congrès in Paris. It’s a tradition for the Stranger Fan Meet events, many parents are accompanying – with more or less reluctance, admit it – their children.

Next to the pass distribution, some goodies stands are installed… And they work very well if we believe the crowd gathered around.

Meanwhile, the big room were people can follow the panels and the animations is filling up little by little. And the young people are getting into the mood by turning on their phone lights, taking pictures with the fans recognized in the room, doing a giant karaoke on the hits of Madonna, Limahl or The Cash (a positive thing with Stranger Things: musically speaking, the parents are not disoriented).

At the end of the morning, Clemy (host) and Fanny (host and translator) go on stage to officially open this convention. After some explanations and the broadcasting of the opening video, the moment is finally here: Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp and Raphael Luce enter on stage for the opening ceremony under the shouts, tears and “I love you” of an entire room.

Right after the ceremony, Millie Bobby Brown goes to the photoshoot area to take pictures with her fans.

At the same time, a “French voices” Q&A is happening on stage with, among others, the dubbing actress Clara Soares, voice of Millie Bobby Brown in the french version of Stranger Things.

Around 1pm, we meet Raphael Luce – accompanied by his mother – for an interview (in French!). The opportunity to talk with him about his experience in the series. The interview is to be discovered here (in french).

On stage, while waiting for the panel with Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp, the hosts propose games and prizes to the audience.

Under a horde of screams (and music), Millie and Noah enter the stage for a Q&A session interspersed with countless “I love you” and “Je t’aime” making the panel very jerky.

Just after the two actors, it’s Raphael Luce‘s turn to answer some questions. With fans clumped against the stage, it was hard to know if we were attending a panel or, again, a concert, but Raphael Luce was very professional and answered (also in French!) the improvised questions of the two hosts.

Extras with Noah Schnapp then Raphael Luce were happening backstage…

… while the two cosplay contest sessions and the Tik Tok contest were taking place on stage. People Convention had set up an online voting system allowing the audience to rate each performance and making the choice of the winners more objective.

Before ending our day (our train didn’t allow us to follow the closing panel), the actors signed autographs and the fans got their photos, already printed.

Tell us about your day in comments and your favorite part of this event!