Room

Salon 13/14
 

Times

Sunday, August 11th. The event is from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

10:00 am to 12:30 pm - Check in and judging (contestants)
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm - Judge's deliberations (private)
1:00 pm - Awards presentation (public)
 

Cosplayers

This is a Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest. Judges are interested in how you made your costume, what you used, how neat your construction is and how accurate the end result is. If you can tell them why you chose your character that's also good to hear. You need to have made most of your cosplay yourself. If you make a cosplay and have someone else wear it, then you are the entrant, not the model.
 

Spectators

The Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest is not a spectator event. Both contestants and non-contestants are asked to wait outside of the room.

1.1 Contestants should come to the Contest Room (Salon 13/14) in person on Sunday from 10:00-12:30 to be judged. It would be helpful to bring reference photos of your character so the judges can assess your accuracy. Photos can be on your phone or you can upload them when you sign up using the online form.
 

1.2 If you choose to sign up in person, you will be asked to fill out a short form with your contact information and cosplay details. You can fill out the form online and upload photos ahead of the event if you wish to save time. In person registration will be open from 10 am to 12:30 pm. You are encouraged to sign up online.
 

1.3 Contestants who pre-register online will be given priority for judging over those who register in person. 
 

1.4 Contestants will line up outside Salon 13/14 until called in by a cosplay staff member. After you have been judged we ask that you leave and return at 1:00 pm for awards. Tip: Bring something to do to occupy the time while you wait. Waiting times of up to an hour are not uncommon!
 

1.5 Contestants will have up to 3 minutes to chat with the judges about their cosplay and then pose for a photo. We have to keep things brief to give everyone a fair chance but we'll do our best to let you explain important details. Contestants will not be asked to perform. If you want to perform then check out the Cosplay Contest.
 

1.6 The winners will be announced at the end of the contest. Contestants must be on hand to accept the awards.
 

1.7 Prize categories are:

Categories are primarily determined by past contest award wins:

2.1 Contestants must be a registered convention attendee in order to participate.
 

2.2 Costumes and props must be suitable and appropriate for all ages. Costumes and props should adhere to general Animethon rules and regulations including the weapons and props policy. Exceptions may be made by the Cosplay Craftsmanship Coordinator or Director of Programming.
 

2.3 Contestants must have made at least 80% of their costume themselves. It's okay if you followed a guide or had instructions/tips from someone else but you need to be able to prove you did most of the work yourself. This is a craftsmanship-only contest.
 

2.4 Contestants will be judged on accuracy, workmanship and fit.
 

2.5 You may enter a cosplay which has also been entered in the Cosplay Contest. However if your cosplay has already won a Craftsmanship award at Animethon it can not be re-entered, regardless of who wore it.
 

2.6 Categories are determined by contestants' previous awards. To be considered a Novice, contestants must have no previous awards for any costumes. Journeymen have won 1-4 awards and Master 5 or more awards. Performance-only awards do not count.
 

2.7 Contestants agree to have their photos taken for judging and prize-giving purposes.
 

2.8 The Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest is not a spectator event. 
 

2.9 Contestants will be disqualified if they show disrespect to other contestants, attendees and Animethon staff. 
 

2.10 Contest entry may be capped if there isn't enough time to judge new sign-ups. Please sign up online. Arriving early at the event increases your chances of being judged.
 

2.11 Costumes that have won any major award in the past will not be eligible to win prizes but can participate as an exhibition entry. Major awards include but are not limited to:

Permissible awards include:

3.1 Sign-up online to save time or you can sign up on the day in the contest room. It is strongly recommended that you use the online form and provide a reference photo.

3.2 Come to Salon 13/14 from 10:00am -12:30pm on Sunday, August 11th.

3.3 If you have any questions or concerns, please email Cosplay staff at cosplay[at]animethon[dot]org