ALL COSTUMES WILL NEED TO MEET GENERAL COSPLAY RULES!
Some exceptions apply to larger props and accessories that will only be worn or carried during the contest.
Want to show off your costume or awesome performance on stage? Why not participate in our Saturday night Cosplay Contest? We will have online sign-ups for the contest available until 1 week prior to the convention. For those who wish to sign up at the convention: Friday allows for craftsmanship and exhibition while those who sign up on Saturday are automatic exhibition only. Everyone entering the cosplay contest will need to check-in with cosplay staff to sign up for scheduled time slots, which are first-come, first-served. You do not have to be in costume during this time. Judging will take place on Saturday. If you do not arrive on time for your prejudging time slot, you will automatically be disqualified. No exceptions unless previously discussed with staff.
Information on the times and locations of cosplay registration and judging will be available as the convention date draws near.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE A BADGE: EvilleCon requires that all participants have a valid badge prior to cosplay registration or check-in. Affiliates of EvilleCon are not permitted to enter into the cosplay contest (Staff, Guest, Featured Cosplayer, Featured Panelist, etc.). If you have any questions please contact cosplay staff.
For those of you who have never competed in a cosplay contest before, you may be wondering how this is done. You will be going on stage to show off your costume for the audience. You will have already been judged at this point, but this is for the audience to see all the amazing cosplays! You are not required to perform a skit, but you are required to go on stage!
Walk On: You will be going on stage for a few brief seconds, posing, and showing off your costume to the judges and audience. It’s a low-stress and fun way to participate in a cosplay contest. Think of it like a fashion runway show!
Performance: A cosplay based performance such as a skit or reenactment from a show or movie. Singing and dancing are also permitted. All performers are required to be in cosplay.
When you register for the cosplay contest, you will be selecting your division as described below.
Everyone entering the cosplay contest is required to choose a division. A division is simply your placement and competition level. Here’s what each division entails:
The following divisions are for those who want to compete for awards with their costumes
Chibi- For juniors 12 and under. We do ask that if your costume was made by a parent or friend that you enter the Exhibition division.
Exhibition- For those who wish to go on stage just to show off their cosplay! In this division you are ineligible to receive any awards outside of Best Stage Presence. This division is designed for those who wish to compete in the future or for those with cosplays they would like to show off
Craftsmanship- In order to compete here, your costumes must adhere to the following criteria:
Original Design- A cosplay made based on an original idea or concept. The following are examples of such things. If you have any questions please contact a cosplay staff member.
Performance- You will have 3 minutes to perform and 30 seconds for any setup before and teardown after. Your total time should not exceed 4 minutes and points will be deducted after you reach 5 minutes. All performances should maintain a PG or PG13 rating. Any adult themes or profanity will result in disqualification and, if severe enough, badge revoking and an escort out of the convention. All performances will be screened prior to the contest. Sign-ups are limited based on time constraints.
You will be judged based on the craftsmanship and accuracy of your cosplay. This is not a look-a-like contest, it is a skill contest. These divisions are meant to separate you based on your level of skill so that you can be judged accurately. If you have any questions please contact cosplay staff.
Novice- This division is intended for those new to making their own costumes or performing on stage and has not competed much, if at all.
Criteria for Novice Division
Journeyman- This division is intended for those who are more experienced with creating their own costumes or performing on stage.
Criteria for Journeyman Division
Master- This division is intended for those who have adequate experience with creating their own costumes or performing on stage.
Criteria for Master Division
Exhibition- This division is intended only for people who wish to show off their costume on stage for fun but are not interested in competing for awards.
Criteria for Exhibition Division:
Major Awards:
Minor Awards:
Awards as applicable:
Chibi:
Exhibition:
Remember that, in order to have your costume judged for craftsmanship, you must enter for one of the competition divisions: Novice, Journeyman, or Master. It also must meet the criteria listed above.
When you register/check-in for the cosplay contest, you will be able to schedule an appointment to have your costume judged for craftsmanship. Here are some things that you need to know about the judging process!
Judging Appointments: There will be a limited number of judging appointments available. They will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis! We will give each entrant roughly 5 minutes for individuals and 10 minutes for groups and masters for the judging process as a guideline. Generally, the time is spent half discussing your costume, and half looking at your costume up close.
Judges reserve the right to move you up a category based on your experience or prejudging. Typically this is done with the consent of the contestant, though other times it is not.
Please direct any questions or concerns to cosplay staff.
Remember to have fun!!