Global Rules:
- All costumes and performances must adhere to the convention’s cosplay rules:
- Costumes must be appropriate for wear in public. No public indecency. We are a family-friendly event.
- No hateful, offensive, or provocative symbols, designs, text, or audio are to appear on your costume or in your performance
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially with large, bulky, and extravagant costumes and props.
- If you need assistance or extra accommodation please make us aware, though you can ask any staff to get assistance
- Be polite and courteous
- Entrants who are rude, hostile, harass, or stalk cosplay staff, judges, and/or other cosplayers will be removed from the event lineup.
- This may include disqualification from entering future events.
- This extends to online interactions before and after the event.
- Entrants who are rude, hostile, harass, or stalk cosplay staff, judges, and/or other cosplayers will be removed from the event lineup.
- No Show/ No Contact= Disqualification
- You will have all the information communicated to you to rely on, as well as means of contact in the event of problems arising
- We ask that you respect your fellow contestants and the cosplay staff by appearing when expected (for example: during judging sessions, mandatory green-room seating, and performance rehearsal)
- Failure to show up on time without communication may result in disqualification or removal from the line-up.
- Assessment of entries is at the full discretion of the judges' panel. They hold the right to disqualify any contestant per the rules laid out on this page.
- Performances are judged live during the Cosplay Contest
Craftsmanship Rules:
- Please be aware that signing up puts you in line; it does not guarantee entry. All entries are recorded, and acceptance emails will be sent closer to the convention date.
- Your costume must be, at minimum, 70% handmade by you
- Store-bought costumes are not permitted
- Your costume must be made or modified by you
- Modifications or altered items on the costume must be a minimum of 50% or more altered from their original state to count towards the overall 70%
- Any assistance in making the costume must be below 30%
- Any disability aids will not be counted against entrants
- The maker of the costume must be present and entering their work
- Entrants may use someone as their model or wear it themselves
- Costumes may not be presented on a mannequin
- Many sources for costumes are accepted. All are judged as craftsmanship divided by skill division (Novice, Journeyman, Master). They may be from any of the following:
- A published source material
- Original design/ fanart (non-published art, such as your drawing or another artist’s work with permission)
- Mash-ups/ different takes on pre-existing characters
- You must provide references at your pre-judging appointment
- Physical references are preferred (printed photos, sketches, etc.)
- You will be docked points if you do not provide a reference
Performance Rules:
- Please be aware that signing up does not guarantee entry. Acceptance emails will be sent closer to the convention date.
- Performances are limited to 1-3 minutes to perform.
- You do not need to make your cosplay if you’re performing, you are not judged on that criteria.
- What goes on stage with you must come off
- No glitter, confetti, etc.
- Please make sure to grab props and such left aside once your performance has ended
- We do not allow improvised performances, all entries must be set/ rehearsed
- You aren’t limited to what you may present. Common performances are dance, skits, and singing. Bring your creativity!
- If you have been waitlisted, please be available for contact at the appointed cut-off time for accepted performance check-in (this information will be relayed via email)
- When our initial acceptance emails go out to entries, waitlisted emails will also be sent out
- If someone drops or doesn’t check in by their appointed time, we will start reaching out down the waitlist.
- If you miss our attempt to contact you (to offer a spot in the contest) we will continue to move down the list in the order submitted
- There will be no changes made to your performance’s audio and tech needs after the end of the morning rehearsal. There will be no exceptions.
Stage information:
Stage Size: 32' wide x 16' deep
Catwalk Size: 4' x 8' bump
LED Wall Dimensions: For any performance wanting or requiring an interactive backdrop the LED wall will be available. The wall is 8'x15' with a 16x9 ratio and 1080p resolution.
If you have questions about the cosplay competition or whether your costume can be entered, please reach out to: conventioncosplay@gmail.com.