Cosplay Contest

Posted by Proctors Web Team

Saturday, August 26, 2023

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 2023. 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 entrants must have a pass to Fandom Fest 2023.
All costumes entered must adhere to the dress policy. Click here to familiarize yourself with our policies and cosplay rules.

Entry Types:

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 August 16, 2023.

*Walk-on entrants may be eligible for a Judges 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.

Entrants must complete and submit the online form by August 16, 2023. Any entry received after August 16, will be entered as a walk-on contestant.

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.

Entrants must complete and submit the online form by August 16, 2023. Any entry received after August 16, will be entered as a walk-on contestant.

Click here to fill out the Cosplay Contest Entry Form

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 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 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 an entry in any division.

Best in Division
Given to an entrant who has shown an exceptional degree of craftsmanship and presentation for their division.

Excellence in Needlework
Given to an entry that displays an exceptional degree of craftsmanship with special care given to technical sewing.

Excellence in Construction
Given to an entry that displays an exceptional degree of craftsmanship with special care given to armor and specialty builds.

Best Performance
Given to an entry which demonstrates exceptional performance and execution.

Judges’ Award
Each judge may grant an award to an entry that they feel is exceptional.

Prizes

1st place winners of each category will receive a Trophy and 2 tickets to Beetlejuice at Proctors Theatre! All award categories will have a runner-up (except the Judges award) who will receive a Proctors Collaborative gift card.