Cosplay Contest Application (FIRST COME FIRST SERVE)

Thank you for wanting to take part in our cosplay contest!

The Weebcon cosplay show divides entrants into four competitive classes and two performance divisions. While entrants may enter any class they qualify for, judges reserve the right to bump up a competitor’s class anytime. Entrants may only enter one class and one division.

Class restrictions are strictly enforced. If any competitor is found to have entered a class below their skill level, they will be immediately moved to a higher class. If a competitor is found to have intentionally entered a class below their skill level, they risk immediate disqualification.

When entrants are in the cosplay room, pre-judging panels, and backstage for the show, the staff and judges monitor their sportsmanship. Rude remarks, put-downs, or other unsportsmanlike conduct will have consequences. Egregious cases may result in immediate disqualification. Respect the staff, the judges, and your fellow competitors. Competitors will not be notified if they have been disqualified, and judges are not permitted to discuss the judging process or the results. This is to protect entrants, judges, and staff, as well as to maintain the professionalism of the contest.

Any information in your online entry may be changed on-site when you check in. If you wish to guarantee your spot in the Cosplay Contest then you are required to sign up online in advance.

Please complete the following form to be considered for entry.
Keep in mind that cosplay sign up is on a first come first serve basis, and you must be the age of 13 or older.

Once a category or class is full, it is full. Please do not enter in another class and then email that you want to be in another class but it was full at sign up. 

Entries will be capped as the following:
30 Novice Walk-ons
20 Journeyman Walk-ons
15 Master Walk-ons
10 Skits (total)

CLASSES
Novice

This is for newer competitors and crafters who wish to compete but don’t feel they’re quite up to journeyman standards.

Examples:

• You are new to costuming and/or to competing
• You have competed in the Novice division but have not won any major awards.

Journeyman

For competitors with more experience in crafting and/or competing, or competitors who have won any of the following:

• Multiple major awards in novice category
• Multiple awards in Hall contests

Master

For competitors who are professional seamstresses, tailors or customers, or competitors who have won:

• Best in Journeyman/Masters multiple times
• Best in Show (In Conventions with more than 15 thousand attendees)
• Best in Show (Hall)

DIVISIONS

Walk-on

• Competitors have 30 seconds of stage time beginning when the competitor crosses onto the staging area from backstage.
• Competitors are allowed custom audio.
  Audio must be music and is preferred to be from the series being cosplayed.
• No microphones will be available for walk-on competitors.
• Competitors are highly encouraged to upload or submit files in .MP3 format when signing up for the competition.
• Tracks are limited to 1:00 in length and may be cut or faded.
• No YouTube rips are allowed due to low-quality output.
• Staff may contact you about your file if it is too low-quality for stage. If you do not submit custom audio, music will be chosen for you.
• Audio must be rated TV-PG.
• Entrants with bulky costumes or other concerns crossing the stage will be allotted time within reason to clear the stage outside of their 30 second performance window.

Skit

Competitors have 3 minutes and 30 seconds of stage time beginning when their audio starts. (not required to be the full 3:30 in length)

• All introductions, if applicable, must be made by the MC.
• All skits must submit scripts to be screened by staff on content, coherence, originality, and entertainment value.
• All dance skits must be originally choreographed by the entrant.
• Skits are required to submit pre-recorded audio, as microphones will not be available.
• Skit entrants may be contacted if their audio is too low-quality for the stage.

Craftsmanship

All competitors are required to construct their own costumes. No store-bought costumes are allowed in the show. Cosplay staff and judges may disqualify any entrant at any time for not meeting craftsmanship requirements.

• If the competitor’s costume was constructed by a third party, the third party must be present at the competition. The third party, not the model, will be eligible for all awards.
• As a general rule, at least 75% of the costume must be constructed or heavily modified by the competitor. Borderline costumes will be accepted or declined by staff or judges on a case-by-case basis.
• Craftsmanship requirements may be waived for skit entries only.

PREJUDGING:
All competitors are required to be pre-judged before the cosplay contest begins. Pre-judging panels will be scheduled throughout the weekend.

• All competitors are required to sign up for a specific time slot for pre-judging. Time slots are 3 minutes for individual entries and 5 minutes for groups. If you are not present when your time slot is called, you will be moved to the end and called when all assigned time slots have been completed if time allows.
• At the time of pre-judging, the costume may be brought in on a hanger and is not required to be worn.
• Competitors who have not been pre-judged when the lineup begins for the competition will be disqualified.
• Competitors who are entering as the model for a present commissioner/tailor/seamstress must have the commissioner/tailor/seamstress present during pre-judging.

AWARDS*

*Title of Awards, Quanities, & Descriptions may be updated closer to the show

Best Paragon Award(s)

Awarded to contestant(s) that have signed up for the cosplay contest representing one one of the Four Paragons at Weebcon. 

360 Character refrences found here 

PRIZE: TBA (Up to 4)

Judge’s Awards

Personal awards acknowledging costumes favored by a particular judge. The number of judge’s awards will be announced when judges are announced.

PRIZE: $TBA (4 total)

Best Walk On

Awarded to entrants who showcase standout performance on the runway. This category honors three levels of skill: Novice, Journeyman, and Master.

PRIZE: $TBA  (Per Division - 3 total)

Best Craftsmanship

This award is given to entrants who exemplify excellence in craftsmanship. There are three craftsmanship awards; Novice, Journeyman, and Master.

PRIZE: $TBA  (Per Division - 3 total)

Best Performance

This award is given to entrants who exemplify excellence in presentation on stage. There are three performance awards; Novice, Journeyman, and Master in the Walk-on and Skit divisions.

PRIZE: $TBA (Per Division - 3 total)

Best In Class

Winners exemplify the best combination of craftsmanship and performance. There are three best in class awards; Novice, Journeyman and Master. The winners of these awards will be presented TBA prizes.

PRIZE: $TBA  (Per Division - 3 total)

Best In Show 

The cosplayer or group selected for best in show represents the best in craftsmanship and performance across all classes and divisions. There is only one Best in Show award. The winner of this award will be presented with TBA prizes.

PRIZE: $TBA 

PRE-SHOW APPLICATION TIMELINE:

Applications will be tenatively accepted at the time of the application submission.

• By December 1st: Applicants will be sent an email cofirming their attendance and entry into the show.
• By January 1st: Prejuding time slot information email will be sent. Applicants will have until March 10th to select a time
• By February 1st: Official closing of the Cosplay Applications, waitlist applicants will be notified of their acceptance or if category is filled for 2027
• By March 1st: All changes to the entry (character, music, graphics) must be submitted.

• Day of walk up sign ups will not be permitted out of respect to all prepared participants, cosplay coordinators and show schedule
• WHILE COMPETING AS A WALK-ON, IT IS REQUIRED THAT AT LEAST 75% OF THE COSPLAY BE MADE BY, OR HEAVILY ALTERED BY, THE WEARER OR THAT THE CREATOR IS PRESENT FOR THE CONTEST AND PREJUDGING
• Entrants are not granted a free badge to the contest show date and must purchase or obtain one on their own
• Build books are not required by HIGHLY suggested. Please bring them to prejudging to show the judges
• Cosplay does not need to be worn for prejudging.
• Entrants may not be a Weebcon staff member or volunteer.

By filling out an application you agree that you have read all the rules in this form and on the weebcon website.