Charlotte Comicon Official Cosplay Contest Rules

Con staff and affiliates of Be Your Own Hero Productions are ineligible to compete in the Cosplay contest.

Costumes and props must be worn and carried with no risk to property and people.

Registration and Final Judging will occur in the Carolina Room.

1. REGISTRATION:

a. All participants will be required to fill out pre-registration forms.
b. Eligible Cosplayers will register at the registration table prior to competition from the hours of 11 am until 1:30 pm (no exceptions).
c. Technical judging will occur during registration with judging based off of three categories:

i. Detail: Closeness of Costume to Character
ii. Craftsmanship: Effort and Overall Quality
iii. Presentation: How Well the Character is Presented to the judges.

d. Participants need to be prepared to briefly explain the process through which their Cosplay was inspired and created and why it was chosen.
e. Judges can view but not touch your costume from all angles.
f. Paid professional Cosplayers or models cannot compete in the Cosplay Contest or Cosplayers who are represented or representatives of a nationally recognized Cosplay group or association (i.e., The 501st).
g. Original and/or amalgam Cosplay Characters may be entered.
h. Representatives of the Con may disqualify a contestant at any time if they feel that contestant represents a violation of the rules, regulations, standards, integrity, environment, or creates a disturbance or disruption to the business and brand of the Con.
i. You assume all risk and responsibility of using a Commissioned piece and the Con, all staff, volunteers, vendors, and judges are waived from any responsibility of the contestant using such items.

2. JUDGING:

a. Final Judging will take place from 2pm until 3pm.
b. Judges consist of a 3-person panel who will determine final placings.
c. Winners will be announced at 3:30 pm.
d. Contestants must be present to claim prizes.
e. All decisions of the costume contest judges are final.
f. All participants will be showcased on stage during judging (from 2 pm until 3 pm).

3. CATEGORIES:

a. Master Class – ages 12 and up
b. Adult Category – ages 17 and up
c. Teen’s Category – ages 12 to 16
d. Kid’s Category – ages 11 and under
e. Judge’s Choice

4. DIVISIONS AND PRIZES:

a. Master Class – $50 and Framed Certificate

b. Adult’s Category
i. 1st – $30 and Framed Certificate
ii. 2nd – $20 and Framed Certificate
iii. 3rd – $10 and Framed Certificate

c. Teen’s Category
i. 1st – $30 and Framed Certificate
ii. 2nd – $20 and Framed Certificate
iii. 3rd – $10 and Framed Certificate

d. Kid’s Category
i. 1st – $15 and Framed Certificate
ii. 2nd – $10 and Framed Certificate
iii. 3rd – $5 and Framed Certificate
iv. All children 11 and under who participate receive a free gift.

e. Judge’s Choice
i. Adult, Teen, and Kid’s – Framed Certificate

5. MASTER CLASS DEFINITION :

a. Are designated at Judge’s discretion and all decisions are final.
b. Master Class designation can and may be based on the following criteria.
i. Skilled cosplayers with cosplay experience, recognition and/or awards.
ii. Professional actors and actresses or groups who perform outside the convention circuit.
iii. Professional costumers, seamstresses or people who take commissions for creating costumes, props, or other clothing.
iv. Anyone who has won awards at one of our shows in the Adult and/or Teen divisions.
v. An individual who has achieved “Master” status at any other major convention.

6. ELLIGIBLE COSTUMES :

a. Any individual can only enter the contest one time – an individual cannot enter as an individual AND as part of a group.
b. Groups:
i. Groups count as ONE entry and may have no more than 5 members.
ii. Groups that may place in any category will share place prize.
iii. All members must be present when signing in for judging and again when awards are distributed in the event they are called to the stage.
c. Costume contest judges will do their best to accommodate contestants who need extra time due to cosplay emergencies and malfunctions.
d. Purchased costumes are allowed but they will affect results of technical judging.
e. No electrical power or additional lighting effects will be provided for props and costumes.
f. All costumes must allow freedom of movement so as not to create a hazard to individual or others.
g. Commissioned pieces are allowed but credit must be documented on your pre-registration form.

7. INELIGIBLE COSTUMES :

a. No loose glitter and/or confetti, slime, pyrotechnics, live flame, or smoke generators of any kind are allowed.
b. Professionally rented costumes, paid models, or Cosplayers who are represented or representatives of a nationally recognized Cosplay group or association (i.e., The 501st).
c. Overly sexual, profane, or otherwise inappropriate costumes will be ineligible for entry – this is a family show.

8. PHOTOGRAPHY :

a. 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 please review our Photography Policy Page.
b. Pictures will be taken during judging of all participants and these pictures will be used for record and promotional purposes.
c. By entering the costume contest, you are agreeing to allow your image to be used in future advertising efforts.