Calling all cosplayers! Get ready for Ozokucon's Cosplay Contest! The Ozokucon Costume Competition is our biggest cosplay event featuring cosplayers of ALL skill levels and ages competing for multi-tiered prizes.
Pre-registration is required for all levels with prejudging required for Knight and Lord ranks. Contestants can sign up in advance online or in-person during the convention at the Information Booth.
Each division has its own guidelines so it is imperative that contestants enter in the category in which they are best suited:
SKILL DIVISIONS:
[APPRENTICE]
+ Novice/Beginner
+ Just for fun
+ Eligible for Judge's choice awards
+ All skills allowed
[KNIGHT]
+ Intermediate
+ 50% or more of cosplay is handmade
+ All skill levels allowed
+ Store bought pieces/cosplays are allowed
+ Less than 2 awards
+ Pre-judging required
[LORD]
+ Advanced/Master
+ 70% or more of cosplay is handmade
+ All skill levels allowed
+ More than 2 awards
+ Pre-judging required
COMPETITIVE DIVISION GUIDELINES:
- All costumes entered must be at least 50% handmade (made from scratch) by the competitor.
- Store-bought costumes, or costumes consisting mostly of store-bought garments, are not allowed in the Lord-rank. This includes costumes from stores like Amazon, Spirit Halloween, Walmart, MicCostumes, EZ Cosplays, thrift stores, etc.
- The following store-bought items are allowed: wigs, notions, trims, belts, shoes, jewelry, and most accessories. Other items will be allowed at the discretion of the judges.
- Contestants are highly encouraged to bring reference and progress photos of their costume to pre-judging. These images can be brought physically (as print-outs or assembled in a build book) or digitally (on the contestant’s personal phone or tablet device). Images shown digitally should be assembled in a designated folder/album on the device so that no time is wasted sorting through photos during prejudging.
- Competitors are expected to bring multiple progress and reference photos.
- Commissioned costumes may only be entered if the creator of the costume is able to attend prejudging.
COMPETITION RULES:
- This contest is open to all attendees of Ozokucon with an event badge or wristband.
- No separate entries from the same person.
- There is a limit quantity of entries. People on the waitlist will only be called if enough registered contestants fail to attend pre-judging.
- Individual entries are limited to one person. Group entries can include 2-10 people.
- All contestants must fill out the entry form.
- All costumes must be PG-13 or less. Nudity and risqué costumes are not allowed.
- Bad behavior of any kind is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: trash talking, sabotage, poor sportsmanship, and bullying (in person or online). Improper behavior will get you removed from the competition and possibly the convention.
- No harmful or potentially harmful materials are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: water, cigarettes, flames, fireworks or sparklers, smoke, silly string, confetti, and any other substance that can be fired, launched, or dropped.
- All props and costumes used in the competition must adhere to Ozokucon’s Prop and Costume Rules. Props must be tagged by Prop Check.
- Cosplay is NOT consent! Taking photos of other contestants while in line and/or backstage without consent is not allowed. Inappropriately touching or speaking to other contestants is not allowed and will result in disqualification and possible expulsion from the convention.
- No Sandbagging (previously awarded cosplays equal to or greater than 'Best In Show, '1st Place', 'Various Placements')
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Contestants who register online will receive a confirmation email with their contestant number and prejudging information once their entry has been processed, which can take up to 48 hours.
- Once at the convention, contestants should check in at the Information Booth. This can be done at any time before the contest while the booth is open.
- Directions to the prejudging room will be given at check-in, as well as any time or location updates. In-person registration can be done at the Info Booth once the convention begins. An Ozokucon volunteer or staff member will provide assistance. Check-in will be done simultaneously, so contestant numbers, prejudging information, and other updates will be given once registered.
- Please arrive at the Prejudging Room at any time within your 30-minute prejudging window. Contestants will be seen in order of arrival. The judges will speak to individual contestants for about 3 minutes and to groups for about 5 minutes. Please have any reference/progress photos ready to show.
- Every contestant will be photographed by an Ozokucon photographer before meeting with the judges. Once done with prejudging, you are free until it’s line-up time.
- All contestants must be at the Main Stage for line-up at least 45 minutes prior to the start time as listed on the official Ozokucon schedule (or the provided updated time if applicable). Arrivals any time later than this may not be accommodated and may result in disqualification.
- Contestants will line up and appear on stage according to their skill division line-up number (provided during prejudging).
- Once on stage, the Emcees will announce the contestant’s name and character. They will strike 3 poses and then exit. Contestants should find a seat in the audience to watch the rest of the contest.
- Anyone not present for the awards ceremony will be disqualified and will not receive the award if chosen.
PRIZES:
[LORD] CHAMPION:
- $1500 Cash Prize
- Custom Medal/Trophy
- 3-Day Weekend Badge for Ozokucon 2026
[KNIGHT] CHAMPION:
- $350 Cash Prize
- Custom Medal/Trophy
- 3-Day Weekend Badge for Ozokucon 2026
[APPRENTICE] CHAMPION:
- $150 Cash Prize
- Custom Medal/Trophy
- 3-Day Weekend Badge for Ozokucon 2026
JUDGE'S CHOICE:
- Ribbons awarded to hand-selected contestants by the panel
If you have any questions, please email us at ozokucon@gmail.com.
