Cosplay Masquerade

One of the biggest events of the convention, the Cosplay Masquerade is a showcase of costume-making talent and performance. The Masquerade is very similar to a costumed fashion show, with entrants coming on-stage to display their costume, pose for the audience and have pictures taken.


The Cosplay Masquerade will be a main stage event on Saturday afternoon. The judging panel will feature Amy King, one of our Cosplay Coordinators; Jessica Freeney, last year's Best Individual winner and EuroCosplay qualifier; with the third judge yet to be determined.

Cosplay Masquerade Timetable

Awards

• Best Individual Cosplay
  (winner also qualifies for EuroCosplay, if eligible - please check the EuroCosplay Qualifier page for more details)
• Best Group Cosplay
• Best Prop

Judging Criteria

All entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Attention to detail
• Presentation
• Styling and Make-Up
• Craftsmanship
• Performance

Rules

1. Group entries are limited to a maximum of five people, who must all be from the same published work.
2. The maximum allowed stage time is 30 seconds.
3. Costumes must be based from a published or broadcast source that has been commercially licensed. Original characters, or designs based on derivative works will not be judged.
4. Only self-made costumes and props will be judged for the Best Individual award and the Best Prop award.
5. No costume is no costume. Although there are many popular anime/fiction characters that wear what many would consider "street clothes", these costumes will not be judged.
6. All costumes must adhere to the guidelines as laid out in the Costume Policy, and all props must adhere to the guidelines as laid out in the Props and Weapons Policy.
7. All performance material must be suitable for a PG-13 audience. No harsh language will be permitted, and all music and pre-recorded materials will be screened prior to performance. Anyone violating this rule will be immediately disqualified, including mid-performance.
8. All material brought onto the stage must be brought off immediately after performance without causing any undue delay. For safety reasons, items such as food, lasers, flash paper, lighters, confetti, rose petals, water, and other small messy objects are strictly forbidden from the stage area.

How to Enter

To enter the Cosplay Masquerade, simply fill out a form at the event registration desk before the deadline on Saturday. All entrants must meet at the entrance to the backstage of the Theatre at a to-be-determined time before the Masquerade begins for an explanation of the rules, stage etiquette, health and safety, and an example dry run of the event.

In addition, when registering as an individual for the Masquerade, you may also express your interest in being judged for the EuroCosplay Qualifier. Entering the qualifier is not a requirement to take part in the Masquerade.