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.
• 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.

If you have questions about the cosplay competition or whether your costume can be entered, please reach out to: conventioncosplay@gmail.com.

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 16×9 ratio and 1080p resolution.

For any other questions please contact Convetioncosplay@gmail.com