COSPLAY DIVISIONS! As of 2017, our Adult Division will be divided into Pro/Am registrations. Our Kids Division will be divided into Boy/Girl, and Teens Division will also be split into 1st and 2nd Place. This will allow us to acknowledge even more of the amazing cosplayers we see at our shows! After our Judges have made their choices, the prizes will break down as follows:

Kids <12: 1st Place Girl $10 and 1st  Place Boy $10

Teens 13-17: 1st Place $20 and 2nd Place $10

Adults 18<: 1st Place PRO/AM-$50; 2nd Place PRO-$25/AM-$25; 3rd Place PRO-$15/AM-$15. Winners in the PRO-division will also receive free admission to the next Charlotte Comicon show, as well as gift certificates TBD. Additional prizes may also be given in addition to those listed, as we love surprises!

Honorable Mentions: Special recognition will be given to Best Group/Duo; Best Crossover/Hybrid (as chosen by judges); and one Hero’s Choice per age group, (as chosen by CCC Staff). Please note, honorable mentions [other than those receiving an award] will only be recognized on stage as time permits, with no more than 5 groups or crossovers brought to the stage on such occasion. Every one who signs up for the costume contest is judged individually, but can ask to be flagged as part of a group for the additional opportunity to be recognized.

PLEASE NOTE: The cut-off time for Costume Contest Registration is 1:30pm-No Exceptions! This will allow adequate time for our judges to review the entries and make their final decisions. We had nearly 200 registered competitors at our last show, and expect even more this time. Setting a cut-off time for registration will allow us to streamline the process and provide a better experience for all of our guests.

• Registration With Judging: On-site at the stage from 11am through 1:30pm- You will have one-on-one discussion time with your division judge at the time of registration. As always, our judges will select a Top 10 in each division, based on overall scores tallied during registration/judging period. The audience then votes for the final winners. Hero’s Choice awards are chosen by our staff. Pro-Division Award winners will be selected by the Judges. 

Our Pro-Division is intended for those competitors who fit one or more of the following criteria:

1. Skilled cosplayers with cosplay experience, recognition and/or awards.
2. Professional actors and actresses or groups who perform outside the convention circuit are required to compete at this level.
3. Professional costumers, seamstresses or people who take commissions for creating costumes, props or other clothing are required to compete at this level for Construction. If someone else made your costume for you, you must credit that person.
   
4. Anyone who has won awards at one of our shows in the Adult division.
5. An individual who has achieved “Master” status at any other major convention.
6. Any cosplayer who meets the criteria and who chooses to compete in this division may do so.
7. Once a cosplayer has won (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in the Pro-division, they may not compete as the same character again. There is an expectation at the Pro-level of talent and personal growth, and we love having seen each past Pro winner return with something new to WOW us with.

• Photographers and guests are welcome to take photos at their leisure, so long as they respect the show guests, hotel guests and management as well as hotel property and grounds. Thank you in advance for your cooperation
• Winners Announced: 3:30 on stage
• As we work to ensure that all entrants compete with their peers and not against more experienced entrants, categories have been established. While Adult contestants may pick their own level, an entry may be reclassified by the Judges or the Cosplay Program Director if they feel it is appropriate.
  

We have always been impressed with the quality and variety of costumes that come through the door at each of our shows. Many are store bought, and even more are homemade. But, there are a few things to keep in mind before you arrive to the show.

• No functional weapons are allowed at the Charlotte Comicon. DO NOT BRING REAL SWORDS, GUNS OR ANY TYPE OF AUTHENTIC WEAPON TO THE SHOW. Only props are allowed. Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as part of your costume. No projectile weapons (including but not limited to airsoft or paintball weapons) will be allowed!
• All simulated or costume weapons are subject to inspection by security or convention staff. Participants found to be in violation of these rules will be subject to removal from the show. Please note, the rules of the venue trump the rules of our show in any situation regarding costumes and props. If the venue does not allow something, we will not allow it either.
• Also, please keep it “clean”. While it has become common practice at some larger conventions for cosplayers to come dressed scantily clad, we ask that you respect that we are a Family Friendly show. Cosplay entries should not go beyond PG-13, including, but not exclusive to: Offensive language – no racial or sexual epithets; no profanity, etc. No excessive violence. No nudity – all costumes and cosplays must adhere to the official convention rules as well as NC state ordinances on indecent exposure. If you have a question about your costume, please ask the Cosplay Program Director. There will be children of all ages in attendance. That being said, it is understandable that many comic characters are drawn in tight-fitting and, well, tiny outfits [ie., Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Black Canary, Poison Ivy, and many, many more…]. There is a distinct difference between paying homage to a character and intentionally making it “dirty”. Some cosplays are better suited for after-hours or shows with an older audience. All we ask is that you use common sense and be considerate of our other attendees. CCC Staff reserves the right to request that attendee/s cover-up if a costume is questionable, causing any discontent or concern with regards to other attendees or hotel staff. If covering up is not possible, the attendee may be asked to leave (and may return in proper dress). This is as much for your protection as it is the integrity of the show.
• While we understand that those participating in cosplay love to have their picture taken, please respect that we are a Family Friendly show. It is within your right to pose however you see artistically fit, however, it is within our right to protect the minors attending our show. Use discretion when opting for suggestive or lewd poses. Those types of photo-shoots must be made outside. We don’t need our youngest attendees trying to understand why Deadpool is acting as a “human bra” for Black Widow (something that happened years ago at our show). Show some character as you know your character and honor their traditional poses while inside the hotel.
• Our staff want you to have a good time, but please be aware of your surroundings. Have fun, but be safe while doing so. And always look out for your fellow cosplayers. If you see someone who only takes photos with a “down-blouse” angle, step in or say something to our staff. If you see a fellow cosplayer being harassed or bullied in any way, step in or say something to our staff. It is unfortunate that we even have to say it, but there are people in this world who would take advantage of a situation where a cosplayer (most commonly young females, due to the way many characters were created) are vulnerable. We will not tolerate anyone using any person’s innocence or love of the character they are cosplaying, as a means to take inappropriate photographs, or to stalk and harass our cosplayers a the show or on social media. Cosplay is NOT Consent.

If you wish to compete in the costume contest, you must stop at our table and sign in for judging during the designated times, no exceptions.

Thanks for your cooperation!

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