Section I. General Cosplay Runway Rules
[list][*]All Cosplay Runway participants must be members of AnimeFest 2017. Your badge must be present and visible at all times.
[*]Your costume must adhere to the AnimeFest Dress Code Policy.
[*]No costume is NO COSTUME.
[*]Per the Dress Code Policy, you must wear shoes at all times 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 may, however, remove your shoes for your on stage performance.
[*]All costumes must pertain to Anime, Manga, Video Games, Japanese artists (ex: J-Rock, J-Pop, Official Japanese Artbooks) and originate from one of these sources in order to qualify for Best in Show, First Place, Best Group, Best Youth, Creativity Award or Judge's Awards.
[*]You may enter a costume that originates from Western animated movies, Western cartoons, comics or web-comics, but we will only be accepting these entries on a limited basis. You will only qualify for Best in Alternate Media, Best Group, Best Youth, Creativity Award or Judge's Awards.
[*]Published fan art will be permitted as long as it's respective to the above categories and you must have permission from the artist, if it is not yourself. You will only qualify for the Best in Alternate Media Award Best Group, Best Youth, Creativity Award or Judge's Awards.
[*]Any other forms of media are not accepted at this time.
[*]If you have previously entered your cosplay into another competition and won an award, you will not be eligible to participate in the Cosplay Runway show. If the Cosplay Staff has determined that you have, you will be disqualified.
[*]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.
[*]No real weapons of any kind. Please read the convention Weapon Policy. If you have questions regarding the Weapon Policy specifically, please email safety@animefest.org
[*]Cosplay Runway groups are limited to 8 participants. If you have more than 8 participants, you will need to split up into separate groups. When you split into separate groups, you will no longer count as one entry, but two separate entries. Commissioned costumes may only be entered in a group that includes their creator.
[*]You are permitted to enter into Cosplay Runway or Cosplay Skit Contest, but not both. If you are participating in the Cosplay Skit Contest, you may enter the same cosplay for 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.[/list]
The AnimeFest Cosplay Staff reserves the right to disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.
Section II. Rehearsal Rules and Regulations
[list][*]Pre-Judging will be done prior to the Cosplay Runway contest and will take place at the hotel. BE ON TIME so the judges can look at your costume in detail. Please be aware that the pre-judging sessions are timed. If you go past your allotted time frame with the judges after being warned more than twice, you may be disqualified from the Cosplay Runway.
[*]There will be a mandatory dress rehearsal/walk-through at The Majestic. If you show up late and have not given adequate notification, you may be disqualified from the Cosplay Runway.
[*]Entry arrangements will be discussed at rehearsal.
[*]Music will be provided by the convention.
[*]Each participant will have approximately 45 seconds on the stage, regardless of group size. There are three points on the stage in which you must stop and pose. Each pose at these points must be unique (meaning each pose you make must be different). Failing to do so will result in points deducted from your overall judging score.
[*]Please do not throw anything onto the stage or at the audience. We WILL make you clean it up and it could also potentially get you removed from the convention.
[*]Absolutely NO skits. Skits will be for the Cosplay Skit Competition segment.
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Section III. Divisions
There are a total of three divisions when filling out the Cosplay Runway form and they will be as follows (loosely based off ICG Guidelines):[list]
[*]NOVICE:
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[*]The novice category is intended for costumes with little or beginner skills in making costumes.
[*]At least 35% or more of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned, otherwise you will not be able to enter in the Cosplay Runway event.
[*]No member could have won more than three minor awards and/or one major award at previous conventions.
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[*]INTERMEDIATE:
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[*]The intermediate category is intended for people with some to moderate skills in making costumes or having won few awards for costumes.
[*]At least 50% or more of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned, otherwise you will not be able to enter in the Cosplay Runway event.
[*]No member could have won more than 3 major awards at previous conventions.
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[*]MASTERS:
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[*]The master category is intended for people with extensive skills in making costumes or who have won several awards for costumes that do not fall into the other two classes.
[*]At least 80% or more of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned, otherwise you will not be able to enter in the Cosplay Runway event.
[*]It is suggested if entering in the Masters division to provide a portfolio of your cosplay for judging purposes.
[*]Anyone may register for this division.
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Performance only awards are not calculated in your Cosplay Runway 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 but no more than three, would be placed in the Intermediate Division.
If the Judges, Cosplay Manager, or Director feel that you should be placed in a higher division based upon your craftsmanship, presentation and/or history, you may be moved to a different division than for which you had applied.
Section IV. Awards
[list][*]BEST IN SHOW:
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[*]This is given to an exceptional entrant and can be a part of any division. This award determines that you are the best in the entire cosplay event, therefore you will not qualify to win any other awards. Only one Best In Show award will be given with a cash prize of $1,000.
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[*]FIRST PLACE:
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[*]This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for their particular class. Three First Place awards will be given, one to each division, with a cash prize of $400.
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[*]BEST GROUP:
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[*]This title is awarded to an entry that has at least three members within their group and demonstrates great presentation skills as a group. Any division qualifies for this award.
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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.
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[*]CREATIVITY AWARD:
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[*]This award is given to an entrant that shows exceptional use of materials and innovative use with those materials all around for their costume. Any division can qualify for this award.
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[*]JUDGE’S AWARDS:
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[*]Granted by the judges for an entrant they feel was exceptional. Any division may qualify.
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[*]BEST IN ALTERNATE MEDIA:
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[*]This award is given to an exceptional entrant and can be a part of any division. Only those that have a costume in relation to Western animated movies, Western cartoons, comics or web-comics are eligible for this award. A $100 cash prize will be awarded to the winner.[/list][/list]
Additional awards may be created at the convention itself at the discretion of the Judges, Cosplay Manager and Director.
Awards are announced after the conclusion of the event. All amounts listed are the total amount for that prize regardless of the number of members in an entry. All prizes must be picked up after the conclusion of the event, otherwise prizes will be forfeited.
Section V. Entry Form
[list][*]Cosplay Runway is full. Please see us at the convention to inquire about the waiting list..
[*]You must submit supporting character documentation. You will not be permitted to enter a judging session or the Cosplay Runway event unless you can provide reference images for your cosplay to the judges.
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Section VI. Other
Q: Where is this Cosplay HQ you speak of?The Cosplay HQ is on the 2nd floor of the hotel side in Pearl 1.
Q: What is Cosplay HQ's hours of operation?
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[*]Thursday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
[*]Friday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
[*]Saturday: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
[*]Sunday: Closed
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Please remember to use common sense. We want everyone to have a good time, so please respect the rules, other cosplayers, hotel and The Majestic.
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, please contact the Cosplay Staff at cosplay@animefest.org