Cosplay Contest Registration

Cosplay Contest Rules:

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1. Have fun, cosplay is all about putting your passion and joy into your character. Don’t be nervous, the judges are humans too as well as cosplayers or performers, we have all been in your shoes at one time.

2. Contestants under the age of 18 need a parent or legal guardian present at the cosplay competition and must register on behalf of the contestant for the cosplay contest.

3. All costumes must cover “swimsuit areas” – no nudity. 

4. The contest is open to characters from published works: movies, TV shows, comic books, cartoons, video games, card games and Original characters. If your costume has won an award before at a cosplay competition, you are not eligible for any awards in this contest. Rule breakers will be disqualified. (you may not enter a costume that has already won an award into this event)

5. Westside Comic Con adheres to the “PG rule” when it comes to language and hand gestures on stage. Violation of this rule may cause you to be disqualified from the competition.

6. During the contest enter and exit the stage at the designated points only. We are working on acquiring a wheelchair-accessible ramp for contestants, however if we can not acquire one, you can go around the front of the stage. We are working to improve this in the near future. 

7. Costumes must be handled by the contestant or by their handler, no contestant may have more than 1 handler. Westside Comic Con cannot provide on-stage assistants.

8. Contestants are not allowed to throw anything off the stage, nor use projectiles or use anything on stage that will leave a mess. This includes (but is not limited to) liquids, glitter, and confetti. If you have a question about something you want
to do, feel free to send an email with “Costume Contestant Question” as the subject. All participants are encouraged to always keep at least one foot on the stage.

9. No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals (only exception is a Service Animal), or similar special effects can be used during the competition; this includes smoke/smog machines and flash paper/powder. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and be asked to leave the convention area depending on the severity of the incursion. All prop weapons must conform to the Westside Comic Con prop policies, including being safety checked at the contest booth.

10. Each contestant may only enter one costume into the competition. You may have a model for the Craftsmanship category, however both creator and model must be present for judging and only 1 set of awards if any will be awarded.
11. If there are any other ADA needs we can help with to make your competition more accessible and safer, please email our cosplay contest coordinator.

12. The results of our judges are binding and final. Harassment of Judges or Event Staff over disagreement of awards will not be tolerated and may result in being banned from future Westside Comic Con costume contests.

13. Westside Comic Con reserves the right to turn away any contest entry it deems inappropriate or not in compliance with the rules.
 
If you have any questions regarding this year’s contest updates
and guidelines, please email our Cosplay Coordinator at: 
information@westsidecomiccon.com