COSPLAY/COSTUME CONTEST

Last Updated 2023

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Welcome to the Imagi-Con Cosplay Contest!
Subject to Change

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While we make every effort to have the complete and final rules published, we may need to make adjustments or modifications to the rules at any time to improve the clarity of the rules or the operation of the cosplay events.

Judging Divisions

• Kids: 12-
• Youth: 13-18
• Adult: 19+
• Group: Must have 2 or more entrants for the group division. All members in the group must be entered on application and cannot be added later on. Each member of group must present a photo release form.

Other:

• Exhibition - Exhibition is any costume that you wish to still showcase to the rest of the con without going through judging. Any age may enter. No prizes will be given to exhibition.
• Honorable Mentions: This division is not eligible for a prize, but anyone, staff included, may win.

Prize Categories:
1st: $50, Winner's Certificate
2nd: $25, Winner's Certificate
3rd: $10,  Winner's Certificate

Best Overall Costume: $100, Winner's Certificate

Each contestant will be judged on the following categories:

• Accuracy (how accurate your costume is to it’s original image)
• Creativeness (how creatively you constructed/designed your costume)
• Craftsmanship (How much of your costume you created/altered yourself)
• Polished (Having clean seams, paint job and having an overall polished look)

Averages will be used to score groups. 

Please remember we do not supply participants with any of the following: make-up, make-up applicators and/or removers, paint, etc. Please come to the convention with everything you need to complete and/or assemble your cosplay.

Cosplay Contest Regulations

1. There will be a limit of 50 entries this year, but judges have the power to adjust the number of entries throughout the day as they see fit or if time allows.
2. Failure to follow these rules and guidelines can result in disqualification from the contest and the forfeit of any prizes.
3. This is a family friendly event, so all competing in the contest will abide by all of our rules and regulations as set forth by the convention’s committees, and the rules of our facility.
4. Props and replica weapons cannot pose a threat to anyone’s wellbeing. Nothing may leave your person or prop during contest. No actual Firearms and no projectiles or thrown objects. *Refer above for consequences.
5. No Nudity. No costume is no costume, and can result in the removal from the facility.
6. One entry per-person (you may not be a single entry and part of a group.)
7. No flashpots, confetti cannons, explosive devices, or similar special effects are to be used. *Refer above for consequences.
8. *All contestants must bring their photo release form and completed registration form to the judges at the time of judging. 
9. *Please bring at least one half sheet high-quality, color reference image of your character, does not have to be a glossy print. (If unable to print, please have an image ready to share digitally with judges, via Email or other)
10. *Reference images will not be returned, so please don’t give us anything you want to keep.
11. All Awards are at the judge’s discretion.
12. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a Legal Adult (with a purchased ticket/badge). This is for the safety of our young cosplayers. 
13. With the exception of Exhibition, you must attend the judging session if you wish to be entered for a chance to win a prize. 
14. Any personal items you bring to the Parade will go with you on stage. We do not hold personal items while you go on stage. Ask a friend to hold personal belongings
15. No food or drinks, or anything that may ruin your or someone else’s costume will be allowed at the judging or backstage at the parade.
16. Unless otherwise specified, skits will not be accepted into the Costume Contest unless discussed with judge's/staff before hand. Acting in character while posing on stage does not count as a skit, but must remain under a reasonable time limit in order for the parade to continue on schedule.
17. During lineup for the parade please keep noise levels down, listen and follow directions of all staffers.
18. All Cosplay participants must be registered attendees of the convention.
19. The same costume CANNOT win more than once at Imagi-Con.
20. TLML board members, city employees and their immediate family members (spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild) are not eligible to win in any category, though they can earn honorable mentions / “shout outs”​
21. Your entry must be finished before you register. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed after entry. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
22. All contestants must be able to move their costume on their own or with ONE handler. So please no 80 lb wings or giant mecha unless you can walk up stairs in it.
23. It’s okay for entrants to have help from a relative/friend, but the contestant must be honest with judges about the extent of the involvement anyone else had in the construction of their costume. 
24. Store bought costumes MAY be entered, but additional points are given for handmade/partially handmade. 
25. Audience members are not allowed to run up to the stage area for any reason.
26. You must be present at the time when winners are announced to claim your prize, or easily reached. If convention staff cannot reach you within a reasonable amount of time, your prize may be passed on.
27. Audience members should be courteous and respectful. Please do not boo or shout negative things to cosplay contestants.
28. The Cosplay Director or judges have the right to eliminate any entry from the competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience, building or yourself, violation of any of the above rules, or any other reason deemed sufficient.
29. Best overall will not receive a prize from any other category.
30. If there are only 2 entries in a category, only 1st place will be awarded. If only 3 entries, only 1st and 2nd, etc.
    
    

Forms 

All participants will be required to sign a photo release form to participate in the contest.
Minors under 18 years of age may participate in the Cosplay Contest only if a photo release form signed by the minor’s legal guardian is provided. Forms will be accepted between 9 am and noon at the registration desk.

Required:

• Photo Release Form
• Registration Form - Single or Group
• Reference image of character:
  • At least half sheet in size
  • High-quality (no blurry images)
  • Color Image
  • Does not have to be glossy print.
  • Image will not be returned, so please do not bring anything you wish to keep
• Reference images may also be emailed to BRUNDIDGELIB@gmail.com

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Adapted from Causeacon Cosplay Contest and Annicon Cosplay Contest