Cosplay at Cincinnati Comic Expo
BE THE ALTER EGO YOU WANT TO BE! You’ve spent hours researching, designing, sewing, gluing and duck taping your costume. Now it’s time to strut your stuff and show us what you’ve got. From Kaylee’s coveralls and parasol, to Captain America with his iconic shield, bring your best and don’t skimp on the detail. Whether you spent months building every detail or you are ready to bring your favorite character to life on stage, Cincinnati Comic Expo has a place for you. Compete for craftsmanship, perform in the Masquerade, or simply come celebrate the creativity of the cosplay community.
Craftsmanship Costume Contest
Built it yourself? Show the judges the work behind the look. The Craftsmanship Contest celebrates construction, technique, creativity, detail, and the skill that goes into creating a costume.
- Youth, Group, Novice, Journeyman, and Master awards.
- Prejudging is required to compete for awards.
- Construction documentation or a build book is required.
Performance Masquerade
Cosplay meets performance. Bring your character to life through a skit, dance, lip-sync, song, or another approved performance for the Cincinnati Comic Expo audience.
- Performances may be up to two minutes long.
- No craftsmanship requirement.
- The competition is limited to 15 entries.
Craftsmanship Costume Contest
This competition focuses on costume construction and craftsmanship. Judges evaluate the work contestants personally completed, including construction, materials, finishing, complexity, fit, detail, and interpretation of the design.
General Requirements
- Contestants must have handmade the majority of their costume.
- Costumes that previously won a major category award or Best in Show must include significant upgrades or changes to remain eligible.
- Costumes that have previously placed or won at this convention's contests are not eligible.
- Contestants must honestly disclose which elements they made, purchased, altered, or commissioned.
- Contest staff may reassign a contestant to another division when necessary to maintain fair competition.
Contest Divisions
Novice
Intended for contestants new to competition with no more than two prior category wins or Best in Show awards.
Journeyman
Intended for contestants with developing competitive experience who have earned three to five prior category wins or Best in Show awards.
Master
Intended for highly experienced competitors with six or more prior category wins or Best in Show awards.
Youth and Group
Youth and group entries may also be recognized. For group entries, contestants should enter at the experience level appropriate for the group's most experienced member.
Eligibility
To be eligible for judging and awards, contestants must:
- Be a registered Cincinnati Comic Expo attendee with a valid event badge.
- Personally make at least 50% of a Novice costume, 70% of a Journeyman costume, or 85% of a Master costume.
- Attend both prejudging and the assigned stage presentation.
- Provide required construction documentation or a build book during prejudging.
Group entries must meet the same requirements. Each member should contribute to their own costume or to shared group elements.
Entries That Are Not Eligible for Prizes
- Primarily purchased or commissioned costumes with only minimal modifications.
- Store-bought costumes.
- Costumes without sufficient construction documentation or explanation.
- Costumes that violate convention conduct, safety, or weapons policies.
- Entries containing false or misleading information about authorship or construction.
Prejudging & Judging
Prejudging is a private session held before the stage show. Judges will examine construction, materials, finishing, techniques, and details that may not be visible from the audience.
Judges may consider:
- Construction quality and finishing.
- Material choices and techniques.
- Complexity and difficulty.
- Accuracy or interpretation of the design.
- Detail work and embellishments.
- Fit, tailoring, and mobility.
Judges may ask permission to touch part of a costume during inspection. Contestants are not required to grant permission.
All judging decisions are final.
Build Books & Documentation
Documentation helps the judges understand how a costume was made and which work was completed by the contestant.
Useful documentation includes:
- Character or design reference images.
- Progress photographs from important construction stages.
- Descriptions of materials, methods, or techniques.
A build book may be printed or digital, but documentation should not be presented solely from your phone.
Safety, Props & Stage Presentation
- All props must be non-functional and comply with Cincinnati Comic Expo's Weapons Policy.
- No functional weapons are permitted.
- Sharp edges, exposed points, flames, liquids, smoke, or pyrotechnics are prohibited.
- Electrical components must be battery-powered and safely enclosed.
- Large costumes must be safely manageable.
- Stilts, wheels, or mechanical costume components may require advance approval.
- Running, jumping, combat choreography, throwing props, or other dangerous actions are prohibited during the stage presentation.
- No liquids, glitter, confetti, or other messy materials may be used on stage.
- Everything brought onto the stage must leave the stage with the contestant.
Awards
- Judge's Awards.
- Best Youth.
- Youth Runner-Up.
- Best Group.
- Best Novice.
- Best Novice Runner-Up.
- Best Journeyman.
- Best Journeyman Runner-Up.
- Best Master.
- Best Master Runner-Up.
Additional awards may be presented at the judges' discretion. Prize information may be announced separately.
Performance Masquerade
The Performance Masquerade is about bringing your character to life. Dance, lip-sync, sing, act, tell a story, or create another approved performance. Costumes may be handmade or purchased because craftsmanship is not judged in this competition.
Performance & Audio Rules
- Performances and audio must be two minutes, or 120 seconds, or less.
- Audio should be submitted as an MP3 file.
- Audio should already be trimmed to the required length.
- Performances and lyrics must be appropriate for a family-friendly, PG-13 audience.
- Microphones may be available when required by the performance, such as for singing or spoken dialogue.
- Performances must remain on the stage and immediately adjacent designated performance areas.
- Nothing may be thrown from the stage into the audience.
- Only registered participants may take part in the performance.
Competition Rules
- Contestants must have a valid Cincinnati Comic Expo event badge or wristband.
- One entry is permitted per person or group.
- Performance groups may contain up to nine performers.
- Each contestant or group must complete an entry form.
- Costumes should represent characters or designs from established pop-culture sources such as comics, animation, anime, games, television, manga, novels, or movies.
- Costumes and performances must remain appropriate for a PG-13 audience.
- Harassment, bullying, sabotage, or poor sportsmanship may result in removal from the competition or convention.
Stage Safety & Props
- Water, flames, fireworks, sparklers, smoke, cigarettes, silly string, confetti, or other potentially hazardous materials are prohibited.
- Everything brought onto the stage must leave with you.
- Stage combat is heavily restricted.
- No projectile weapons or throwing objects into the audience.
- Whips may be carried when otherwise permitted but may not be cracked or used.
- Unusual performance elements must be disclosed to and approved by Cosplay Staff in advance.
- Props and costumes must comply with Cincinnati Comic Expo's Weapons Policy and any required prop-check procedures.
- Contestants must remain aware of microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, and other stage equipment.
- No microphone drops.
Handlers & Stage Assistance
A handler or up to two stagehands may accompany a contestant backstage when assistance is needed. If they are not part of the actual performance, they are not considered contestants and do not count toward the performance group limit.
Awards
Current Masquerade award categories include:
- Judges' Choice.
- Best Musical Act.
- Best Skit.
- Best Dancing Act.
Cincinnati Comic Expo may add or modify awards at the convention's discretion.
What to Expect on Show Day
Registered contestants should check in with Cosplay Contest staff after arriving at the convention.
Contestants must report to the designated line-up area 45 minutes before the scheduled contest start time unless staff provides an updated time.
Contestants will generally appear according to their assigned contestant number. After being introduced by the emcee, contestants will enter the stage, perform, exit as directed, and may then watch the remainder of the competition.
Anyone requiring assistance or accommodations should indicate that need during registration and speak with contest staff during check-in.
Cosplay, Conduct & Safety
Costumes are encouraged throughout Cincinnati Comic Expo, but cosplay never overrides convention safety requirements, attendee conduct standards, or another person's personal boundaries.
Costume Content
- Hate symbols, extremist imagery, harassment, or intimidating content are not permitted.
- Costumes must remain appropriate for a general convention audience.
- Costumes that significantly interfere with safe vision, breathing, or mobility may require staff approval.
Cosplay Is Not Consent
Always ask before photographing or touching another attendee or their costume. A costume is not permission for physical contact, photographs, recording, comments, or harassment.
Respect a person's answer immediately and follow all instructions from Cincinnati Comic Expo staff.
Questions About Cosplay?
For general Cincinnati Comic Expo and Craftsmanship Contest questions, contact info@cincyexpos.com or marymarycosplay@gmail.com.
For Performance Masquerade questions, contact tehdybcosplay@gmail.com.
If you require ADA accommodations, include that information with your registration and speak with Cosplay Staff during check-in.
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