COSTUME CONTEST/COSPLAY

COSPLAY COMPETITIONS

  • Kids Masquerade –This category is for entrants 10 and under who already have a passion for dressing up as their favorite characters. Cosplay can be store-bought or handmade. All entrants must be accompanied by an adult at sign up and during the contest. Limited to 30 contestants
  • Adult Masquerade –This category is for all cosplayers, regardless of where the cosplay came from or how it was made. This category is much less intense than Craftsmanship, and a great way to dip your toes into competitive cosplay. Limited to 30 contestants
  • Craftsmanship – This category is for the cosplayers who make their cosplays from scratch and want to model them on stage for a chance to win. See division categories below. Limited to 30 contestants

 

Craftsmanship Divisions

  • Novice – This division is for cosplayers who are just beginning their journey. Contestants have won minimal awards and have made or heavily modified at least 50% of their cosplay.
  • Journeyman – This division is for cosplayers who have a few cosplays under their belts. Contestants have won some awards and have made or heavily modified at least 60% of their cosplay.
  • Master – This division is for the seasoned cosplayers. Contestants have mastered many costuming techniques, and have created many cosplays. Contestants in this division have won multiple awards and have made at least 70% of their cosplay.

 

Cosplay Contest Rules

  1. You cannot be the winner of the costume contest if you have been a guest at a Humble Enterprises event in the past two years. This also applies to the owner’s previous company AVC Conventions. We feel this would be unfair and could be misconstrued as favoritism, whether intentional or not. You can still enjoy the contest and have fun as a participant.
  2. You cannot enter a cosplay that has previously won an award. Violations to this rule are grounds for disqualification.
  3. The judges may suggest that a cosplay be bumped to a more advanced category than entered, but a contestant will never be bumped down. For example: If you’ve been cosplaying for a few years and have experience but have never competed and you enter into Novice, the judges may suggest that you move to Journeyman.
  4. Each Craftsmanship contestant must talk to the cosplay judges at prejudging or will forfeit their chance to win.
  5. Once your division ranking has been determined, you cannot be demoted.
  6. If you did not make your cosplay, the person who made the cosplay must be present. Claiming commissioned work as your own is grounds for disqualification.
  7. Please bring a high-resolution reference image of your character, as the cosplay judges may not be familiar. Judges also love to see progress photos during the making of your cosplay!
  8. Craftsmanship contestants will be judged based on their technical skills (sewing, armor making, etc), fit and proportions, accuracy, cosmetics (including wigs), and cleanliness.
  9. Stage presence matters! Show how proud you are of your cosplay! Don’t walk on and off the stage without striking a pose. If you use any sort of reference or catch phrase, please no profanity.
  10. All cosplays and props must follow all rules below, whether the venue or convention enforced.
  11. Harassment will not be tolerated. All inappropriate behavior will result in elimination or disqualification from the cosplay contest.
  12. Contestants are allowed a handler while waiting to go on stage.
  13. All items displayed during the Craftsmanship contest must be present on the contestant’s person during pre-judging.
  14. Cosplay Contest slots are limited. Register early to reserve your slot.
  15. Exhibit good sportsmanship! Have fun and don’t be a jerk.

 

Cosplay General Rules

1. Shoes are required at all times. Even if a cosplay character goes barefoot, the cosplayer must wear shoes.

2. Costumes and daily wear shall not expose the body in such a way as to be deemed indecent exposure. You must wear a shirt as per guidelines from the venue.

3. All costumes worn within the convention center must fit through a standard doorway. Any attendee wearing a bulky costume, or one with poor visibility, should have a handler available to escort him/her. In addition, please ensure any bulky costume is properly ventilated to prevent heat stroke.

4. Any metal items used for cosplays are not allowed to have sharp or pointed edges that could potentially cause injury. Real swords, bats, etc. are not allowed.  A safer material substitute, such as foam or plastic, is an alternate option.

5. No costume or prop may generate odor, smoke, or fog.

6. Cosplay props are to be checked in with security at the registration area before they will be allowed in the convention area.

7. All props must be non-working and peace bonded. Security will peace-bind any props, and attendees will assume responsibility that they have read this policy and agree to follow the rules as outlined in it.

8. Any violation of a peace-bind will result in an immediate loss of prop privileges.

9. No functioning projectile props.

10. If security deems a prop dangerous or harmful it will not be allowed. This will be decided on a case by case basis.

11. Attendees will not brandish, point, flail, play-fight, run with, or use their prop in any kind of threatening manner.

12. Inappropriate conduct with any camera (video or photo) will be grounds for removal of convention privileges, up to and including revocation without a refund.

13. If you want to take a photo of a cosplayer, it’s proper form to ask first. Most will be happy to oblige and pose fiercely.

14. These rules may be modified as needed to help protect the safety of all attendees.

15. If you are unsure if your cosplay abides by the above rules, it probably doesn’t. We can’t determine or judge that until we see the costume/item/prop/etc. in person.