COSPLAY
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.
Official Craftsmanship Costume Contest Rules & Guidelines
This is a craftsmanship-focused costume contest featuring Youth, Group, Novice, Journeyman, and Master divisions. Judges may also present additional special awards at their discretion to recognize exceptional work outside standard categories.
General Requirements
● All contestants must have handmade the majority of their costume.
● Costumes that have previously won a major award with that costume(Category Winner or Best in Show) must include significant upgrades or changes to be eligible.
● Costumes that have placed or won at this convention’s previous contests are not eligible even with changes made.
● Honesty regarding costume construction is required. Contestants are not required to have made every element themselves, but all purchased or commissioned components must be disclosed.
Contest Divisions
Novice Division
● Intended for contestants new to competition
● Maximum of two (2) prior category wins or Best in Show awards
Journeyman Division
● Intended for contestants with developing skills
● Three (3) to five (5) prior category wins or Best in Show awards
Master Division
● Intended for highly experienced competitors
● Five (5) or more prior category wins or Best in Show awards
Contest staff reserves the right to reassign divisions to ensure fair competition.
Awards
● Judge’s Award – Judge 1
● Judge’s Award – Judge 2
● Judge’s Award – Judge 3
● 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
——-Prizes TBA——
Registration & Check-In
● Pre-registration is strongly recommended and available online using the link below
● https://form.jotform.com/261608792739168
● Limited walk-in registration may be available if space permits.
● Check in at the cosplay information table for both the masquerade and craftsmanship contests.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for judging and awards, contestants must:
● Be a registered convention attendee with a valid badge
● Have personally made the following minimum portion of their costume:
○ Novice: 50%
○ Journeyman: 70%
○ Master: 85%
● Attend both prejudging and stage presentation at assigned times
● Submit required documentation (build book) at pre judging for craftsmanship contest.
Group entries must meet the same requirements. Each member must contribute to their own costume or shared group elements.
Ineligible Entries
The following are not eligible for prizing:
● Primarily purchased or commissioned costumes with minimal modifications
● Store-bought costumes
● Costumes lacking sufficient documentation or explanation of construction
● Costumes that violate convention conduct, safety, or weapons policies
● Costumes that have previously won a major craftsmanship award at this or another convention (which is to include a Best in show or category award
● Entries submitted with false or misleading information regarding authorship or construction
Costume Content Restrictions
The following are not permitted:
● Hate symbols, extremist imagery, or offensive content
● Costumes intended to harass or intimidate individuals or groups
● Costumes that violate general audience standards
● Costumes that significantly obstruct vision, breathing, or mobility without prior approval
Safety & Construction Rules
For safety reasons:
● All props must be non-functional and comply with convention weapons policies
● No real weapons of any kind are permitted
● Sharp edges, exposed metal points, flames, liquids, smoke effects, or pyrotechnics are prohibited
● Replica firearms must include a visible orange tip
● Large or heavy costumes must be manageable without assistance
● Stilts, wheeled elements, or mechanical components require advance approval
● Electrical components must be battery-powered and fully enclosed
If you would hesitate to carry an item in public, do not bring it.
Stage Presentation Rules
During stage presentation:
● Dangerous actions (running, jumping, combat choreography, throwing props) are prohibited
● Props must remain under the contestant’s control at all times
● No liquids, glitter, confetti, or messy materials
● Costume pieces must not be left behind on stage
● Contestants must follow all stage staff instructions
Prohibited Actions
The following may result in disqualification:
● Misrepresenting costume authorship
● Harassment of judges, staff, or other contestants
● Use of unsafe materials or behavior
Judges’ Discretion
Judges and contest staff reserve the right to disqualify or reclassify entries as needed for safety, fairness, or rule violations.
All judging decisions are final.
Judging Process & Prejudging
Contestants must check in at the registration desk for prejudging. Prejudging is required to place in the contest. People that would like to take to the stage without being judged, who just want to walk the stage may be permitted. Please check with the registration.
What Is Prejudging?
Prejudging is a private session held before the stage show where judges closely examine each costume’s construction, materials, and finish. Contestants may explain their process and highlight details not easily seen on stage.
Judges may ask permission to touch parts of the costume for inspection. Consent to touch your costume is not required, but appreciated.
Judges evaluate the following in the judging process:
● Construction quality and finishing
● Material choice and techniques
● Complexity and difficulty
● Accuracy or interpretation of design
● Detail work and embellishments
● Fit, tailoring, and mobility
Honesty is essential. You do not need to have made every component yourself—just be truthful.
Documentation
Documentation helps judges understand how your costume was made and what work was done by you.
Recommended materials include:
● Reference images (character or design inspiration)
● Progress photos showing key construction stages
● Build Book should include both of those elements
A build book typically combines photos, descriptions, and references in a printed or digital format. Please do not bring your documentation on your phone.
Additional Notes
● Nude is not a costume. Skimpy or edgy designs may be acceptable within general audience standards. Use common sense.
● If a prop could realistically injure someone, it will be considered a real weapon and must be removed.
● Most importantly—have fun and celebrate craftsmanship.
Questions
For additional questions or clarifications about rules, general information, or for information on Ada accessibility, please contact:
info@cincyexpos.com or marymarycosplay@gmail.com
The Masquerade Performance Competition
The Masquerade Performance Competition is where cosplayers bring their characters to life through performances of all kinds, and runs alongside the Craftsmanship Contest. Contestants will be judged based on their costumes and their performances. Some types of performance in character (dance routine, skit, lip-sync, singing, martial arts demonstration, etc) alongside your costume is required.
Pre-registration is required. Contestants can sign up in advance online or in person during the convention at the contest Contest Registration/Check In table. There is no pre-judging for this competition, however, all acts will need to check in with contest staff at the cosplay information table. Timeslots will be assigned to all contestants. Costumes can be store bought or home-made as there is no craftsmanship requirement but should reflect the character(s).
Contestants may compete in both the Performance and Craftsmanship Contest as long as either entry does not conflict with the other during the convention. (i.e. costumes worn during the Performance must be the costume being judged for Craftsmanship)
PERFORMANCE & AUDIO RULES:
● All performance/audio length must be 2 minutes (120 secs) or under.
● Contestants can submit their audio as .MP3 files to through the online registration form.
● https://form.jotform.com/261608168075158
● Please include your contestant number if you have already received it.
● Audio can be dropped off on a USB/Flash drive in person at the Convention if contest doesn’t fill online and space is available. Please make sure your audio is already trimmed to the time limit.
● Since this is a family-friendly event, performances and lyrics must be PG-13 or under.
● Microphones will be available to use on a case-by-case basis. They will only be provided to performers who require them due to their performance type (such as singing performance or skit). Microphones will not be provided if they are solely going to be used as props.
● All performances must be confined to the stage and the area immediately adjacent (Stage Left or Right)
● Throwing or tossing anything off stage and into the audience is not allowed.
● Including any person not listed in your entry form in your performance is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to: members of the audience, the judges, other contestants, staff/volunteers, and the stage crew.
COMPETITION RULES:
● This contest is open to all attendees of this convention with an event badge or bracelet.
● One Entry per person or group
● No separate entries from the same person.
● Groups are limited to a maximum of NINE people for performance.
● There is a limit of 15 entries. Last minute entries will not be accepted.
● Each Contestant/Group must fill out an entry form.
● All costumes must come from an established cartoon, comic book, anime, video game, tabletop game, television show, manga, novel, movie, etc.
● All costumes and performances must be PG-13 or less. This includes, but is not limited to: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing (i.e. Seven Forbidden Words of TV). If it cannot be performed for a first grade class or your grandmother’s friends, it’s probably not acceptable
● 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 substances that can be fired or launched.
● What comes on stage must also come off the stage.
● In the interest of safety, stage combat is severely restricted. All prop weapons must be used with extreme caution and never used in a manner that may cause injury to another. No projectile weapons. No throwing objects (even soft ones) into the audience. Whips may be carried but not used/cracked.
● Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Cosplay Staff. If you are planning something “unique” you must get it approved IN ADVANCE.
● All props and costumes used in the competition must adhere to the convention’s [1] weapons policy (insert link here) and costume rules and 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.
● If necessary, handlers and “Stage hands” are allowed to join contestants backstage during line-up. However, if they are not part of your performance, they are not considered a contestant and will not count toward a group entry. One handler or up to 2 stagehands for props are allowed per entry.
● Be aware of floor stand microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc. If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities or cause any other damages, then you will pay to replace what you damaged. No exceptions.
● NO MIC DROPS!
PRIZES:
Prizes for the Masquerade portion of the Costume/Cosplay Competition will be as follows. The convention reserves the rights to include additional awards or remove awards at convention’s discretion.
● Judges Choice(s)
● Best Musical Act (Lipsyncing, Singing)
● Best Skit (Acting/Story)
● Best Dancing Act (Idols/Dancing)
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Contestants who register online will receive a confirmation email once their entry has been processed, which can take up to 48 hours. Once at the convention, contestants should check in at the Cosplay Contest Registration/Check In booth.
In-person sign up can be done at the Contest Check In booth once the convention begins If there is space still available and contestants should check in on Sunday. Line-up instructions and other updates will be given once registered.
All contestants must be at the designated line-up area 45 minutes prior to the start time as listed on the official schedule (or the provided updated time if applicable).
Contestants will line up and appear on stage according to their contestant number. After the emcee announces them, the contestants will enter the stage and start their performance. Once finished, contestants will exit the stage, and may find a seat in the audience to watch the rest of the contest. Directions will be provided on the best route to get to seating.
If you need assistance or accommodations, please mark that on your registration form and let the contest staff know during registration/check in.
If you have any questions, please email us at info@cincyexpos.com or tehdybcosplay@gmail.com. Please include the specific contest you are inquiring about.
Cincinnati's First & Original Premier Comic Convention and Pop Culture Expo!
