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Colossal Cup Cosplay Circuit

What Does Competing Look Like at the Con?

  1. Check-In
    1. You will receive an indicator (sticker, badge, etc.) marking you as a contestant in the Main Cosplay Contest. This is your backstage pass to get into the Green Room. 
    2. You will be given instructions on where you need to report for the show.
  2. Craftsmanship Pre-Judging
    1. On the day of your pre-judging (either Friday or Saturday), you must meet with the judges, fully-dressed in competition costume. 
      1. You will be assigned a scheduled timeslot sometime after receiving an acceptance email for the contest. If you have a preference, please notate it in your application, but understand that we cannot accommodate everyone’s requests.
    2. The judging session is 5 minutes and timed by a staff member (to keep us on schedule). Your time begins when you start speaking.
    3. You will be brought to get your photo and video taken by our media team.
  3. Post-Judging
    1. We will hold onto your build books until the show. They’ll be available to pick up during Green Room!
    2. This is your time to make sure you’re refreshed, fed, hydrated, and ready for the show later!
  4. Green Room
    1. We will be seating everyone in order for the show and organizing any pre-show needs.
    2. The beginning of Green Room is a time to be attentive to instructions, where the later part is to relax and hang out with your fellow contestants.
  5. Main Cosplay Contest (Order)
    1. Performances (judged live)
    2. Craftsmanship and Circuit Walk-Ons
    3. (ONLY AT PRIME) Colossal Circuit Finals Presentations
    4. Half-Time Show
    5. Awards
  6. Feedback
    1. There will be scheduled time to receive feedback, advice, and generally learn how to improve with the judges.
    2. Details will be emailed out prior to the convention.
    3. This is for constructive feedback only. This is time to learn how to improve. Harassment of the judges during this time will not be tolerated. 

 

Colossal Cup Cosplay Circuit Information 

This competition spans all four of the mainline Colossalcon events: Prime, Texas, East, and North. We are looking for the best of the best in our Prelims to represent each of the Colossalcon events at the Finals at Colossalcon Prime. 

 

In short- this is a craftsmanship and walk-on contest. We are looking for cosplayers to bring their A-Game to become the representatives of our events to travel and compete at Colossalcon Prime in our Finals to win our Grand Prize. 

 

Prizing for Prelims

  • Nomad Booking saved for them at Colossalcon Prime 2027 for themselves and up to 3 friends
  • $500 travel Stipend
  • Full VIP Badge
  • Sponsor Prizes
  • $1000 Cash Prize

 

Prizing for Finals 

  • Champion Title to defend (making them the 5th entry for 2028)
  • Nomad Booking for Colossalcon 2028
  • $750 travel stipend
  • Full VIP Badge at all Colossals that offer VIP/Season Pass
  • Sponsor Prizes
  • $3000 Cash Prize

 

Colossal Circuit Rules

(in addition to the base craftsmanship rules)

Starting this year, Craftsmanship and the Colossal Circuit pools are “combined”. 

 

You may “opt-in” on the application if you would like to be considered for the Circuit. However, this will NOT mean that you are ineligible for other awards in the main craftsmanship contest! You will be considered for both the Circuit and Craftsmanship awards (without receiving multiple awards across these 2 contests).

 

You will attend the normal judging panel for the craftsmanship contest. However, we have extended the number of judges from 3 to 5 to capture a larger breadth of experience and skillsets. If you have opted-in to be considered for the Circuit, you will be considered for the 2 awards given for the Circuit. 

 

To be eligible, the below rules should be followed for specifically the Circuit along with your opt-in to be considered:

  1. All Entrants must be 18 years or older to compete in the Colossalcon Circuit. 
  2. Group and/ or Duo entries are not eligible for Circuit consideration.
  3. Entries cannot have been awarded a major award (Best of Category/Best In Show/ Best of Level, etc.).
  4. Build Books are required for the Circuit. Contestants must record their construction progress to give the judges as much detail into their builds as possible.
  5. Costumes in the prelims will be judged purely on their accuracy and construction techniques. The walk-on will not be part of the final score but may be taken into consideration if the staging showcases flaws or benefits of the construction. 
  6. The winners of the prelims are to wear their winning costume for the finals at Colossalcon Prime. Improvements or adjustments may be made to elevate the overall final product.
  7. Video Submissions are recommended, but optional for this competition.
    1. Note: Your video does not have to be completed upon submission of your application. However, we ask that your video be sent to our staff at the appropriate con’s email. Please see the video details section for more information. 
  8. If you have opted-in for the Colossal Circuit, you must walk during the Masquerade as it is part of the showcase of your competition piece.
    1. We do not advise wearing a different cosplay for performance and circuit if you would like to participate in both. 
      1. We cannot guarantee changing space or time to accommodate.
      2. Failure to participate in the walk-ons can result in disqualification from the circuit.

 

The Basic Craftsmanship Contest Rules

  1. You must be a registered attendee of the Colossalcon Event.
  2. Costumes must be at least 75% made by the contestant/ maker. If the maker is having a model wear their costume, the maker must be present in the judging session. Fully commissioned costumes or mass-produced costumes are not eligible for craftsmanship judging.
  3. All costumes must meet the ‘Colossalcon Dress Code’.
  4. Colossalcon Staff are not permitted to enter any cosplay competition.
  5. We accept all forms of media for our contest. The following are permitted: 
    1. A published source material (anime, video games, comics, TTRPG, live-action film/series, western animation, etc.).
    2. Original design/ fanart (non-published art, such as your own drawing or another artist’s work with permission. Examples are Sakizio, Sunset Dragon, etc).
    3. Mash-ups/ different takes on pre-existing characters.
  6. Costumes cannot be obscene or offensive, including insensitive or unnecessary use of makeup, nor endorse any form of hate or hate group. Gore, graphic violence, or other objectionable elements may also be grounds for disqualification.
  7. Items such as shoes, wigs, and certain undergarments do not need to be constructed from scratch. Any modifications to said items must be noted in the contestant's build book.
    1. Disability aids are not taken into account with scoring.
  8. In-color printed references are required.
    1. We gladly accept Build Books as well (the more references and build references you can provide, the better!)
  9. No Show/ No Contact= Disqualification. 
    1. Colossalcon’s staff is available through email communication before the show.
    2. You will receive your judging time, locations, and information through email before the event.
    3. If you need to drop out of the competition, please reach out to the staff so that another contestant on the waitlist can have the opportunity. 
    4. We ask that you respect your fellow contestants and the cosplay staff by appearing when expected (for example: pre-judging sessions, Green Room, etc.).
  10. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and can result in automatic disqualification.  Whether it’s your fellow contestants, guests, staff, or judges- all Colossalcons have a zero bullying and harassment policy. Please see the sportsmanship section below for more.
    1. This includes reaching out to the judges, or department heads, prior to the show for coaching or advice.
  11. You cannot enter costumes that have won a major award (Best in Show, Best of Division, etc.). Minor award-winners (Honorable Mention, Judge’s Award, etc.) are permitted. Please reach out if you are questioning any eligibility.

 

Contest Skill Divisions

A division is simply your placement and competition level. All entrants should enter at the division/ skill level they feel comfortable (within reason).

Novice Division: 

  • New to making your own costumes and have not competed much.
  • No more than 1 major award was won previously at a comparable-sized convention or larger for their costumes. 
    • These include “Best Of” awards (“Best Overall” or “Best in Class”) only.
    • At your discretion, “Placed Award” (such as a 2nd or 3rd place award) and Honorable Mentions or Judges Awards, do not have to be considered.

Journeyman Division: 

  • More experienced with creating your own costumes.
  • No more than 2 major awards were won previously at a comparable-sized convention or larger for their costumes. 
    • These include “Best Of” awards (“Best Overall” or “Best in Class”) only.
    • At your discretion, “Placed Award” (such as a 2nd or 3rd place award) and Honorable Mentions or Judges Awards, do not have to be considered.

Master Division:

  • Advanced experience with creating your own costumes.
  • More than 3 major awards were won previously at a comparable-sized convention or larger for their costumes. 
    • These include “Best Of” awards (“Best Overall” or “Best in Class”) only.
    • At your discretion, “Placed Award” (such as a 2nd or 3rd place award) and Honorable Mentions or Judges Awards, do not have to be considered.

 

Note: The Cosplay Staff has the right to place a competitor in an appropriate division at their discretion.

 

Sportsmanship In Cosplay Events

At numerous events across the country, displays of poor or unsportsmanlike behavior have been rampant. Like any competition, some will win, and others will not. At all Colossalcon events, any and all displays of Poor Sportsmanship will not be tolerated. 

Feedback sessions will be available with judges and you may discuss your questions there. However, this is not the time or place to blame the judges for your loss. You may ask for advice and feedback. If you are not prepared for any type of constructive feedback, this may not be the panel for you. 

 

AI-Generated Images and Audio

Colossalcon does not support the usage of AI-generated music, video, and images. Usage of these things for any of our cosplay contests is not permitted and usage of said things will result in being disqualified.

Apply for the Circuit!