Entry age:

All entrants must be 18 or older.

Sign up time:

Sign-ups begin at 10AM and ends thirty minutes before prejudging starts

Sign-up sheets:

Sign-up sheets must be completely filled out in order to be given a pre-judging slot.

Conflict of interest:

Employees, staff, crew or guests of Promoter or any associated company and their immediate families, and persons connected with CONTEST (e.g. prize sponsors or judges and their agents) are not eligible to enter CONTEST.

Single Entry Only:

Entrants may only enter one cosplay or group cosplay per event contest. Any entrant will be disqualified if found entering multiple cosplays or groups. You will only be judged once per contest. If a cosplay “transforms” it must go from one form of a character to another, not change characters.

The CONTEST is open to cosplayers of all skill levels. For the sake of fairness, contestants will be separated into divisions based on skill and experience. Contestants are expected to register under the division they believe fits them best. However, if the judges believe your work/experience dictates that you should be in a different category or division, they reserve the right to move contestants to a different category or division. Deciding factors can include hours invested in the costume’s construction, techniques utilized, and years of cosplay/crafting experience

Novice Division:

For beginners just starting their cosplay journey.

The Novice division is designed for newcomers to the cosplay world—whether you’re just starting to create costumes or are entering your very first competition. This category is perfect for anyone who has little to no experience with cosplay competitions or has only crafted a few costumes. Contestants who have not placed in a Novice or Beginner category at any previous competition are eligible to compete here. This is a fantastic opportunity to test your skills, receive feedback, and celebrate your progress as you begin your cosplay journey!

The Novice division is specifically set up for your entry-level contestants. You want to attempt to enforce whether they have placed in a show before, and make sure your judges and staff understand they have the leeway to “bump someone up” to a higher division if they stand out too much in this division.

Journeyman Division:

For intermediate Cosplayers with a growing skill set.

The Journeyman division is for those who have been cosplaying for a few years and have gained a solid understanding of costume creation. Contestants in this category typically have 3 to 5 years of experience and have crafted a number of costumes, with a focus on developing intermediate-level techniques such as patterning, sewing, and prop making. If you’ve competed before but have yet to place in the Novice or Journeyman divisions, or if you’ve created multiple costumes and are looking for a more competitive level, this division is for you. It’s a great opportunity to show off your improving skills and receive constructive feedback from judges and peers!

The Journeyman division will always be the category that has the most contestants. Most cosplayers believe they are to be considered in this division. Feel free to “bump” contestants up to the master division if they have never placed before, but their craftsmanship stands out.

Master Division:

For Expert Cosplayers Who Have Refined Their Craft.

Master division is the highest level of competition and is reserved for cosplayers who have honed their craft over many years. Contestants in this category typically have five-plus years of experience and are skilled in advanced costume construction techniques such as complex armor-making, elaborate prop creation, detailed sewing, or intricate special effects. If you’ve created multiple high-level costumes or have professional-level skills, this division is where you’ll want to compete. While prior competition experience is not required, your costume must demonstrate advanced techniques and exceptional craftsmanship. The Master division is a space for seasoned cosplayers to push the limits of their creativity and expertise.

Group entries are welcome, and members can belong to any skill division. When registering, groups should select the skill division that best represents the overall skill level of the entire group. However, if the judges determine that the group is better suited for a different category, they reserve the right to move the group to another division at their discretion.

Entrant’s cosplay must be at least 85% crafted by themselves. In Terms of these rules, “Crafted” is described as: Combining or modification of raw materials into a complete cosplay.

a. It is acceptable to use bought wigs, shoes, and small accessories such as spectacles, greebles, and small props. Simple, largely insignificant base layers such as a leotard or pantyhose are similarly permitted.

b. All significant parts of the cosplay must be constructed entirely by entrant. if a part of construction is deemed unsafe or impossible without assistance, then assistance (i.e. holding a part in place) is allowed.

Cosplay Size:

Any cosplay entered may not exceed eight feet in any dimension. Cosplayer must be able to walk in cosplay with limited to no assistance (that is not deemed necessary due to any disability or physical impediment). Cosplayer must be able to get on and off of stage under their own power. CONTEST judges and event staff reserve the right to intervene should they believe a cosplay is not safe to participate on stage.

Coverage:

All cosplays should provide enough coverage to be worn in public and in good taste that is in tune with a family-friendly show. CONTEST Judges and event staff reserve the right to intervene if a cosplay is deemed unfriendly to a family-friendly event. All cosplays must meet all local/state/federal laws involving obscenity/nudity.

Offensive Material: 

Cosplays must not be obscene or offensive to any group, individual, or organization. This includes any insensitive or unnecessary use of makeup, nor should any cosplays endorse any form of hate or any group deemed “Hateful”. Encouragement of Graphic violence or any element deemed objectionable by CONTEST staff or event staff will be disqualified.

Dangerous Material:

Cosplays cannot promote any form of drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons, or any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous to a political agenda or message.

Material Detrimental to Event:

Cosplays must not defame, misrepresent, or contain disparaging remarks to any event, promoter and their products or sponsor of CONTEST or associated event. An attempt to communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill of CONTEST will be met with disqualification.

Material against the law:

Cosplays cannot depict and cannot themselves be in violation of any applicable law associated with the state/province or governing body where event is held.

Footwear:

Contestants must always have full footwear on while on stage and during pre-judging. This is for the health and safety of Contestants, judges, and attendees. Full footwear is described in this case as anything that completely covers the bottom of a contestant’s foot with some variety of solid sole.

Models: Contestants may model a Cosplay made by another individual. The original creator of said costume must be present during the entire judging process. Cosplay must adhere to all rules. Points earned from any contestant “winning” at an event will go to the creator. Creators can enter only one cosplay per event.

All entrants must take part in prejudging the day of the contest.

1. Either a CONTEST representative or event staff will notify contestant during sign-up of their designated time slot for Prejudging.
2. Each event will have a finite amount of time slots available. Please note the communicated times when sign-ups start, so you can sign up before all slots are filled.

iii. All entrants are encouraged to arrive to pre-judging five minutes before their scheduled time slot. All members of a group must be present for the full length of prejudging during your allotted time slot. If a group, cosplay, model, or creator is more than one minute late for their assigned prejudging slot, they will be considered disqualified.

1. Contestant must arrive to prejudging in cosplay they are competing with at their designated time of pre-judging. Failure to arrive at prejudging in your completed cosplay will result in disqualification due to incomplete costume.
2. All accepted entrants may bring a “Build Book” documenting their cosplays. This build book can be printed, or handmade.
3. Each contestant will be given NUMBER minutes for Pre-judging. Any contestant attempting to distract, disrupt, or request more time with the judges during prejudging will be disqualified.

vii. During Prejudging, a contestant’s cosplay is scored by the following: Technique, Ambition, Originality, Build book and craftsmanship. This is sixty percent of the entrant’s overall score.

viii. All questions must be answered truthfully to the best of the Contestant and collaborator’s knowledge at the time of pre-judging. Any information found to be incorrect due to misleading the judges will be met with disqualification.

Entrants are not required to prepare a choreographed skit or performance. However, contestant is expected to prepare a brief series or poses or set of movements to showcase their cosplay on stage.

1. Each entrant will be on stage for a minimum of one minute, and no more than two minutes.
2. During your stage presentation, a contestant’s cosplay is scored by the following: Adaptation, creativity, and stage presence. This is Forty percent of the entrant’s overall score

iii. Presentations must be suitable for a family audience

1. Entrants will be provided music. No music is allowed to be submitted.
2. All Props must comply with rule seven: Props and weapons. In addition, any solid projectiles, pyrotechnics, or items that can be “shot” from any cosplay or props is prohibited. 
3. Any smoke, glitter, bubbles, or item that dissipates must be completely cleared from stage within the time allotted for each presentation. Any materials that are left on stage after the two minute mark will be subject to disqualification of the offending cosplayer. 

vii. CONTEST, Judges, venue, security and event staff reserve the right to interrupt any performance due to safety reasons.

By Entering the contest, you agree to the following:

1. All selected entrants are responsible for all expenses related to competing in any contest run by CONTEST, including all admission to event, food, lodging and travel to and from the event venue. This includes costs associated with construction of any and all cosplays entered.
2. All entrants must have a badge valid for the day of the event where the contest and pre-judging are held. No vendor, sponsor, or guest badge will be allowed to enter. CONTEST does not charge for entry to its contests.
3. Entrants are responsible for their own belongings. CONTEST or event promoter is unable to provide a secure area for personal items.
4. Judges decisions are final on the day of event. There is no obligation on CONTEST, event promoter or the judges to provide feedback at any time.
5. The safety of the audience, staff, and other participants must not be compromised. Any projectile, flame, explosion (physical or chemical) or liquid must be assessed by a CONTEST representative and event staff before it is used on stage. If you are using a chemical outside of water, you must provide CONTEST Staff with an applicable SDS sheet for all chemicals used in this way.
6. Each entrant grants to Promoter, its employees, agents, and assignees, the absolute and irrevocable right and permission to photograph, film, reproduce, portray and/or otherwise exploit the name, voice, appearance, photograph, image and/or likeness of such entrant in the Competition(collectively, “Likeness”), and to use the results and proceeds, without limitation, in materials produced by the Promoter in all media, in perpetuity. Entrant hereby waives any claim to compensation for use of such Likeness. Entrant agrees that Management owns the images, and all rights related to them. The images may be used by the Promoter in any manner or media without notifying the Entrant, such as the CONTEST website, publications, promotions, broadcasts, advertisements, and posters, for advertising or other related purposes. Entrant waives any right to inspector approve the finished images or any printed or electronic matter that maybe used with them.
7. By accepting a prize, each winner agrees to release and hold harmless Promoter and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies, and prize suppliers (if any), and each of their
   respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the CONTEST or receipt or use or misuse of any prize.
8. Promoter reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify CONTEST  or any part of it, if any fraud or technical failures or any other factor beyond Promoter’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the CONTEST, as determined by promoter in its sole discretion.
9. Event promo and CONTEST staff reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of CONTEST or to be acting in violation of the Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. This includes any tampering or damaging another entrant’s cosplay in a malicious manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the CONTEST may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and should such an attempt be made, Promoter reserves the right to fully seek damages from any such person permitted by law. Promoter’s failure to enforce any term of these Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
10. Limitation of Liability: Promoter or CONTEST Staff is not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, typographical errors, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in event; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or CONTEST; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of CONTEST or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from an entrant’s participation in the CONTEST or receipt or use or misuse of any prize (provided always that Promoter or its employees or contractors are not negligent in any way in relation to such injury or damage). If, for any reason, an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, that entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in CONTEST, if feasible. If CONTEST, or any part of it, is discontinued for any reason, Promoter, in its sole discretion, may elect to hold a random draw from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for the prize(s) offered herein.
11. In the event of any dispute arising, these Rules are to be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the country where the contest takes place.