Thurs: 4:00PM-9:00PM, Fri: 10:00AM-7:00PM, Sat: 10:00AM-7:00PM, Sun: 10:00AM-5:00PM

MASTER OF COSPLAY CONTEST

We have reached the end of the road on our 2019 edition of Masters of Cosplay Grand Prix! Our qualifiers from FAN EXPO Dallas, Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston & FAN EXPO Canada will be compete head-to-head for the ultimate prize of $7 500 and to be crowned as Fan Expo’s very first Master of Cosplay Champion.

Before crowning our Master of Cosplay Champion, contestants will compete in the Norther Qualifying round in order to determine FAN EXPO Canada’s winner. Contestants must pre-register in order to participate (see below for details) and will be pre-judged by a group of award winning cosplayers.

Once the Northern Qualifier has been chosen, the Central, Western, Southern and Eastern Qualifiers will compete one last time for the ultimate title of Master of Cosplay Champion!

Looking for something more casual? The Walk-On Costume Contest is for you! Click here for more details!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED! FURTHER SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ADDED TO THE WAIT LIST. SHOULD A SPOT OPEN UP, A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WILL BE IN TOUCH!

RULES FOR MASTER OF COSPLAY CONTEST

  • All contestants must have admission to FAN EXPO Canada.

  • All contestants must be 13 years of age or older to enter (groups with children under the age of 13 will not be allowed to enter the child that is under age).

  • All contestants must adhere to the costume and prop policy.

  • No live animals will be allowed on stage, except for seeing-eye dogs if required by contestant.

  • No electrical power connections will be provided. If your costume requires power, it must be part of your costume design.

  • All entrants MUST be able to move on their own. Costumes that require assistance will not be allowed entry.
  • All costumes MUST be at least 50% handmade OR altered. Commissioned costumes will only be allowed if the creator is present. All other store bought or commissioned costumes may only enter the Walk-On portion of the contest only (NOTE: It is at the discretion of the judges to decide if costumes are at least 50% handmade or altered).

  • Entrants in the costume contest CANNOT enter with the same costume that has won a major award at other costume contests. Entrants interested in entering with a costume for which they previously won an award may only enter in the Walk-On portion of the contest.

  • The Masquerade Director reserves the right to exclude any costume from the show that he/she deems inappropriate or for any reason the masquerade director determines to be sufficient.

  • Capacity for the “Master of Cosplay” qualifier is 60 entrants (15 entrants per division).

  • All entrants must PRE-REGISTER online prior to the contest.

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER

Each contestant must complete the ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION FORM to be entered in the event. There will be no on-site registration for the Master of Cosplay Contest. This year’s event will be capped at 60 entrants, with 15 entrants being allotted for each division (additional entrants may be placed in other divisions if another division does not reach capacity). We will be choosing the top 15 costumes for each division over the course of 30 days. After pre-registration has closed, we will be informing each entrant if they have qualified for the contest. Contestants who did not make it their division will be placed on a waitlist.

Contest Registration will require the following information:

  • Name(s)

  • Stage Name(s)

  • Age(s)

  • Division

  • Character(s)

  • Where the Character(s) is from

  • A single paragraph description of how you made your costume(s) (please note that we do need an actual description of the cosplay’s creation and will be part of our determination on which entrants will make it into the contest).

  • Photo of the character(s) that is being cosplayed

  • Photo of the costume’s current progress

PRIZING

The following prizes will be awarded to category winners:

* Winner details: 2 economy roundtrip airfares departing within North America to Orlando; 3 nights hotel (room & tax only, valid credit card must be presented for incidentals and other charges); 2 deluxe weekend passes to Megacon Orlando. Travel and hotel can only be used for travel between April 15 - 20. Not redeemable for cash.

DIVISION CATEGORIES

Divisions are categorized based on skill level as well as on the following criteria:

  • MASTERS DIVISION
    Entrant(s) in this division have won best in show awards at past events that had pre-judging.
  • JOURNEYMAN DIVISION
    Entrant(s) in this division won minor awards or have more than three (3) years of experience competing.
  • NOVICE DIVISION
    Entrant(s) in this division have never entered a costume contest before or have three (3) or less years of experience competing.
  • YOUTH DIVISION
    Entrant(s) in this division are between the ages of 13 and 17 years old. NOTE: Entrant(s) in the Youth Division who have won awards in the past will be entered in Journeyman or Master Division.

PLEASE NOTE: Those entering as groups or duos should enter in one of the above divisions that most fits the best craftsman in the group (e.g. a duo entering with a Master and a Novice would enter in the Master Division).


Contestants may be moved to different divisions based on experience.

PRE-JUDGING

Contestants will be judged on a point scale based of the following 3 criteria:

1. Craftsmanship – How the entrant made their costume, use of materials and creativity.

2. Likeness/Detail – How close the contestant resembles the character they are cosplaying/detail on costume.

3. Presentation – How the entrant presents their costume to the judges in pre-judging and how the entrant showcases their costume on stage during the contest.

DETAILS:

  • Contestants will be given a certain timeslot for pre-judging on either Friday or Saturday. The time and location of the pre-judging will be sent to you by email prior to the show. Be sure to arrive early to check-in as some contestants may finish quicker than others.
  • Each contestant will be given a maximum of THREE MINUTES with the judges. At this time, you will be judged on your craftsmanship and likeness.
  • All entrants MUST be in costume during pre-judging.
  • All entrants are required to provide a build book for the judges, as well as reference photos of the character and costume you are cosplaying. PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING THESE WITH YOU. Points will be subtracted if this is not provided for the judges.
  • Final points for judging will be awarded for stage presentation to the audience. Presentation is based on portrayal of the character on stage.
     

PLEASE NOTE: Entrants in the Walk-On portion are not pre-judged as winners will be determined based on a combination of audience reaction and team of judges.

ON-SITE CONTEST LOGISTICS

  • Contestants are asked to arrive at the designated area ONE HOUR before the contest begins. Failure to arrive on time can result in disqualification from the contest.
  • At this time, the organizer will introduce the emcee and judges, and give general instructions.
  • Contestants will be introduced on stage by the emcee, who will announce their name, character and where the character is from.
  • Contestants will have a maximum of ONE MINUTE on stage. Groups will be allowed more time. At this time, the contestants will interact with the host, and answer questions about their character.
  • All entrants MUST be in costume during the contest.
  • Entrants in costumes unable to go onstage due to size or maneuverability will be given directions at the contest where they will be going.
  • Entrants do not provide music for the contest.
  • Have fun and keep everything PG (profanity or crude language will result in disqualification from the contest).
  • Additionally, the throwing of anything at the audience is not allowed. This will result in disqualification from the contest.
  • Surprise the audience and judges but don’t surprise the organizer. Talk to the organizer beforehand to be given the approval to do certain things on stage.
  • Once the last contestant in the main contest has left the stage, the judges will deliberate and the Walk-On portion of the contest will begin.
  • Walk-On entrants will be instructed on directions prior to the contest.
  • Once all entrants have gone on stage in both portions of the contest, award winners will be announced.

 

GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONTESTANTS!  JUDGES CHOICES ARE FINAL. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THEIR DECISIONS!

 

Have questions about the costume contest? Please contact Pat Covey at [email protected]