Cosplay Contest

Posted by Proctors Web Team

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Fandom Fest’s Cosplay Contest is where cosplayers can show off their performance and craftsmanship skills in one exciting show! Performers will be judged for their ability to captivate and entertain a crowd, bringing their favorite series and shows to life through dance, song, or even comedy. While tailors and seamstresses show off their work by bringing beloved characters onto the MainStage at Proctors Theatre!

General Information:

All entrants must have a pass to Fandom Fest 2024. The Cosplay Contest is rated TEEN. Severely offensive language and overt sexual humor are not acceptable. Judgment on the appropriateness of material is left to the discretion of our cosplay staff. The contest is open to all ages (anyone under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).
All costumes entered must adhere to the dress policy. Click here to familiarize yourself with our policies and cosplay rules.

Entry Types:

** We are not currently accepting applications for the Cosplay Contest. Keep an eye out on social media for updates! **

Walk-on:

  • Contestants will walk onto the stage and do several poses for up to 45 seconds. Walk-on entrants will not be competing for awards or prizes.*
  • There will be no pre-judging.
  • Walk-On contestants MAY NOT submit their own music.
  • This entry type is for anyone who just wants to have fun and show off their cosplay-no pressure!
  • Open for day-of entries and any entries received after July 22, 2024.

*Walk-on entrants may be eligible for the Host’s or Judges Choice Award.

Craftsmanship:

  • Contestants will participate in the masquerade on stage and pre-judging will occur, the day of, where judges can get an up close and personal look at the entrant’s work.
  • Contestants may not enter a costume that was worn for any previous craftsmanship competition at Fandom Fest. Contestants are encouraged not to wear costumes that have been entered into other competitions.
  • Costumes may not be purchased or rented (i.e., they must be homemade). A minimal number of found pieces may be used and may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • If a single person in the group made all the costumes, inform the event coordinator. The person who made the costumes is required to be at Craftsmanship judging.
  • Contestants are required to provide a reference of the costume being judged. Minimum requirement: 1 colored full-length image of the character. Fan art is not accepted. Build books are encouraged.
  • Limited to 75 entrants. First come, first served.

Performance:

  • Contestants perform on stage.
  • Performance can be a skit, music, dancing, martial arts, etc.
  • Skits are restricted to 3 minutes on the stage.
  • Up to 8 performers per group.
  • Skits MUST provide their own audio track (mp3 or mp4, must be able to be submitted via entry form).
  • Limited to 25 entrants. First come, first served.

Divisions and Awards

Divisions are only intended for the fairness of the cosplay contest. Entrants are required to self-identify as one of the following:

Novice: Basically, a novice is an entry-level contestant (source). According to ICG, anyone can compete in the novice division except for:

  • A professional costumer
  • A contestant who has won in any division other than novice
  • A contestant who has won “Best In Show” or “Best Novice”
  • A novice who has won many awards in the novice division is encouraged to compete in the journeyman division.

Journeyman: A journeyman is most simply defined as a cosplayer who has won in a novice category in a bigger con (source). According to ICG, anyone can compete in the journeyman division except for:

  • A professional cosplayer
  • A contestant who has won in the Master Division
  • A contestant who has won “Best in Show” or “Best Journeyman”
  • A contestant who has won three major awards in the Journeyman Division.

Master: Master is the level you go to after journeyman (source). The ICG says:

  • Any competitor can compete in the master’s division.
  • Professionals MUST enter this category.

Awards

Best in Division
Given to any entrant who has shown an exceptional degree of craftsmanship and/or presentation for their division. Winners will receive a trophy and two tickets to Beetlejuice at Proctors!

Novice: Craftsmanship 
Novice: Performance 

Journeyman: Craftsmanship 
Journeyman: Performance 

Master: Craftsmanship 
Master: Performance 

* in the case that there is no entrant in a division for either craftsmanship or performance, the judges may choose two winners from the same division.

Best in Show 
This award is to be granted to the entry that shows an overall exceptional degree of craftsmanship and execution. This award may be given to any entry in any division, including both craftsmanship and performance entrants. The winner will receive a trophy and two tickets to Beetlejuice at Proctors!

“Magical” Host Choice Award 
Our host, Magical Lee, may grant an award to an entry that he feels is exceptional, can include walk-on, craftsmanship or performance entrants. The winner will receive a certificate and exclusive Fandom Fest merch item.

Judges Choice Awards
Each of our four judges may grant an award to an entry that they feel is exceptional, can include walk-on, craftsmanship or performance entrants. Winners will receive a certificate and exclusive Fandom Fest merch item.