Section I. General Hall Cosplay Rules
[list][*]All Hall Cosplay participants must be members of AnimeFest 2013. Your badge must be present and visible at all times.
[*]All costumes must pertain to Anime, Manga, Video Games, Cartoons, Comics or Sci-Fi. Original design costumes are permitted, but you must submit supporting documentation of the design.
[*]No costume is NO COSTUME.
[*]You MUST wear shoes at all times as this is a hotel regulation. Even if your character does not wear shoes, please bring something as simple as a flat or even a pair of tennis shoes that you might have. This will not be counted against you in the judging process.
[*]You MUST be able to move/walk primarily on your own in your costume. AnimeFest believes that cosplaying involves behaving like a character while wearing your costume, not being costume mannequin.
[*]At least 50% of the costume must be handmade or significantly altered and not store bought or commissioned, otherwise you will not be able to enter in the Hall Cosplay event. Props do not count toward this rule.
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[*] For children ages 12 and under, at least 25% of the costume must be handmade. A family member may make your costume, however the 50% rule will apply.
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[*]No real weapons of any kind. Please read the convention Weapon Policy and if you have questions, contact the Cosplay Manager.
[*]Hall Cosplay groups are limited to 6 participants and will be judged as a single entry. Groups may split and be judged as individuals, but only if they made at least 50% of their own costume. Commissioned costumes may only be entered in a group that includes their creator.
[*]You may only enter the Hall Cosplay contest once for the entire weekend.
[*]You are permitted to enter into all three cosplay events. If you are participating in the Cosplay Skit Contest, you may enter the same cosplay for either Cosplay Runway or Hall Cosplay, since the competition does not rely upon the craftsmanship of your costume. However, you may not enter the same cosplay from Cosplay Runway into Hall Cosplay and vice versa.
[*]The AnimeFest Cosplay Staff reserves the right to disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.
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Section II. Divisions
Costumes entered into the Hall Cosplay Contest will be judged within divisions, and those divisions are as follows (loosely based off ICG Guidelines):[list]
[*]OPEN:
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[*]The novice category is intended for costumes with novice to intermediate skills in making costumes.
[*]No Open Division entrant may have won more than three minor awards or more than one major awards at previous conventions.
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[*]ADVANCED:
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[*]The intermediate category is intended for people with advanced formal training in costuming or fashion, extensive skill or experience in making costumes, or who have won several awards for costumes (more than 1 major or 3 minor awards).
[*]Anyone may register for this division.
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Performance only awards are not calculated in your Hall Cosplay Competition division. Awards of ranking commonly include Best in Show, Best in Division, Best Craftsmanship, or First Place, Second Place, etc. These types of ranking in a craftsmanship type of cosplay competition are considered “major awards.” Honorable Mentions, Judges’ Awards and/or other similar forms of recognition are not considered “major awards”, but “minor awards.”
An entrant’s appropriate division will be determined by the awards won by 50% or more of the group. For example, if an entry consists of 3 participants, one participant with zero craftsmanship awards, and two participants that have won more than two major awards, they would be placed in the Advanced Division.
If a Judge, Cosplay Manager, or Director feel that you should be placed in a higher division based off the craftsmanship and presentation of your costume, you may be moved to a different division in which you had applied for.
Section III. Awards
[list][*]FIRST PLACE:
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[*]This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional degree of craftsmanship and execution for their particular class. Two of these awards will be available, one to each division in which a certificate is awarded.
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[*]SECOND PLACE:
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[*]This is given to an entrant who has shown a high degree of craftsmanship and execution for their particular class. Two of these awards will be available, one for each division in which a certificate is awarded.
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[*]HONORABLE MENTION/JUDGE’S AWARDS:
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[*]Granted by the judges for an entrant that they feel was exceptional. Any division may qualify. A certificate will be awarded to the winner(s).
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[*]BEST YOUTH:
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[*]Granted by the judges for an entrant aged 12 or under that they feel was exceptional. A certificate will be awarded to the winner.
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Awards will be announced after the conclusion of the event and will be posted outside the room. Times TBD.
Additional awards may be created at the convention itself at the discretion of the Director, Cosplay Manager and Judges.
All prizes, including certificates and medals, must be picked up by Monday, September 2nd, by 3pm, otherwise prizes will be forfeited.
Section IV. Entry Form
[list][*]Form information can be found here
[*]Should you decide not to fill out your form to sign up for the event online, there will be sign-ups available onsite.
[*]You must submit supporting character documentation. You will not be permitted to enter the Hall Cosplay event unless you can provide reference images for your cosplay to the judges.
[*]If you are unsure about what division to enter in, please do not select one of the two divisions. After you've gone through judging, you will then be informed of your division.
[*]The form deadline has now passed. Please see us in Cosplay HQ at the convention to inquire about signing up.
Section V. Other
Q: Where is this Cosplay HQ you speak of?The Cosplay HQ is on the 3rd floor of the convention center in State Room 2.
Q: What is Cosplay HQ's hours of operation?
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[*]Friday: 12pm - 6pm
[*]Saturday: 11am - 6pm
[*]Sunday: 11am - 3pm
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Please remember to use common sense. We want everyone to have a good time, so please respect the rules and the other players.
While no changes to these rules are foreseen, certain circumstances may require that the rules be changed. Any changes to the rules will be noted in bold red print. A complete set of the rules will be available at Cosplay HQ throughout the convention.
If you have any further questions regarding the Hall Cosplay contest, please contact the Cosplay Manager at cosplay [at] animefest [dot] org