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Cosplay


The application for entering the Cosplay Runway is now open. Please read all the rules before entering. Strut Your Stuff entries will only be taken on-site on Sunday.
The online application for Cosplay Runway will close on July 20th, at 8pm CDT. There will be limited on-site signups.

AnimeFest's annual cosplay events spotlight our cosplay community and gives our attendees to show off their latest costumes. Our panel of judges will award prizes for notable costuming work and performances.


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Cosplay Runway



The Cosplay Runway is where con goers get to show off their craftsmanship and skill in re-creating a costume of their favorite character. There have been some changes to the cosplay rules this year so please look them over carefully. Cosplay Runway will be held at Main Events on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 at 7pm.

This page was last changed on June 19th, 2023.

  1. Cosplay Runway Rules
  2. Cosplay Rehearsal Rules and Regulations
  3. Cosplay Runway Divisions
  4. Cosplay Awards
  5. Cosplay Entry Form
  6. Cosplay Runway FAQ

Section I. Cosplay Runway Rules

  • With the creation of GameFest, costumes from Video games, tabletop games or media that utilizes tabletop RPG systems at its core (The Adventure Zone, Critical Role, Harmonquest ETC.) will be permitted in this year’s cosplay runway contest, provided there are established reference images for these characters. We will not accept Original Characters or gijinkas for this portion of the cosplay contest; original characters and gijinkas may be submitted to Strut Your Stuff. If you are uncertain if your cosplay is allowed for Cosplay Runway, please contact cosplay@animefest.org.
  • All other costumes must embody the spirit of the AnimeFest convention and celebrate Japanese culture and ALL that it touches and influences. If you have any questions regarding this, do not hesitate to email us at cosplay@animefest.org.
  • All Cosplay Runway participants must be members of AnimeFest/GameFest 2023. 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. This will not be counted against you in the judging process.
  • Your costume may not render you immobile. AnimeFest/GameFest believes that cosplaying involves behaving like a character while wearing your costume, not being a costumed mannequin.
  • No real weapons of any kind. Please read the convention Prop Weapons Policy. If you have questions regarding the Weapon Policy specifically, please email safety@animefest.org
  • If you have previously entered your cosplay into another competition and won a major award, you will not be allowed to enter the Cosplay Runway with that cosplay. If the Cosplay Staff has determined that you have entered a cosplay that won a major award at another contest, you will be disqualified.
  • Use of a live cosplay model in place of yourself is permitted as long as the entry is submitted in your name and you are present for the judging.
    Commissioned cosplays are only permitted if the creator is part of the group or using a cosplay model.
  • Disrespecting or assaulting AnimeFest staff members, volunteers, hotel employees, cosplay judges, or other contestants during and after the contest, including via social media, is strictly prohibited, and will result in disqualification.
  • Unsolicited interactions with the emcee are prohibited. The emcee is not a prop. Failure to abide by this will result in disqualification.
The AnimeFest Cosplay Manager reserves the right to disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.

Section II. Rehearsal Rules and Regulations

  • Pre-Judging will be done prior to the Cosplay Runway contest and will take place at the Cosplay Judging Room. BE ON TIME so the judges can look at your costume in detail. Please be aware that the pre-judging sessions are timed. You will be given a warning before your time expires and then you will be asked to leave when your time is complete
  • There will be a mandatory dress rehearsal/walk-through at Main Events. All questions pertaining to the actual Runway portion of the contest will be addressed at this rehearsal. If you show up late and have not given adequate notification, you may be disqualified from Cosplay Runway.
  • Rehearsal starts at 5pm on Sunday.
  • 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.

Section III. Divisions (Cosplay Runway)

You will select a division upon registration.

YOUTH:
  • The youth category is intended for minors who have not won major awards at previous conventions.
  • At least 35% or more of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned. Parental/family assistance in making the costume is acceptable.
  • We ask that the parents/legal guardians of the entrant be present during the pre-judging and during Cosplay Runway.

NOVICE:
  • The novice category is intended for those with minimal crafting experience experience, or beginner cosplayers.
  • At least 35% or more of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned. If you do not meet this requirement you will be disqualified.
  • Participants can not have won more than three minor awards and/or one major award at previous conventions.

JOURNEYMAN:
  • The Journeyman category is intended for those who have won a limited number of awards in cosplay contests or those with moderate costuming ability.
  • At least 50% of the costume must be handmade and not store bought or commissioned to qualify for this division.
  • No member could have won more than 3 major awards at previous conventions.

MASTERS:
  • The Masters category is intended for people with extensive costuming ability 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 to qualify for this division.
  • It is suggested if entering in the Masters division to provide a portfolio of your cosplay (in addition to the reference images you provide upon registering) for judging purposes.


Examples of Minor Awards:
Honorable Mention, Judge’s Award, Best Prop, Unconventional Material, etc.
Examples of Major Awards:
Best in Show, Best in Division, Best Craftsmanship, or First Place, Second Place, etc.

Performance only awards are not considered in determining your Cosplay Runway division.

In the case of a group, a division will be determined by the awards won by the majority of the contestants. 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.

You may be moved into a different Division than what you selected at registration to ensure you are competing against those of a similar skillset. If this occurs, cosplay staff will relay this in a timely manner.

Section IV. Awards

BEST OVERALL:
  • 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.
  • $1000 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

BEST MASTERS
  • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the masters division.
  • $500 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

BEST JOURNEYMAN
  • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the journeyman division.
  • $250 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

BEST NOVICE
  • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the novice division.
  • $150 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

EXCELLENCE IN ARMOR
  • This award is given to an entrant the judges feel had the best armor in terms of materials and techniques used. Any division can qualify for this award.
  • $200 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

EXCELLENCE IN NEEDLEWORK
  • This award is given to the entrant the judges feel had the best needlework in their cosplay. Any division can qualify for this award.
  • $200 and other items will be rewarded for this prize.

JUDGE'S CHOICE
  • These awards are given by each judge to whichever entry should be specially acknowledged.

Additional awards may be created at the convention itself at the discretion of the Judges, Cosplay Manager and Programming Director. Awards for the cosplay contest will be picked up Sunday after the event. For accounting purposes, you will need a valid photo ID for cash prizes. Please be sure to use the name that is on your ID when registering for the contest.

Section V. Entry Form

  • You must submit supporting character documentation. You will not be permitted to enter a judging session unless you can provide reference images for your cosplay to the judges.
  • SIGNUPS ARE IN THE COSPLAY OFFICE IN CITY VIEW 2.

Section Vl. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Cosplay HQ?

The Cosplay HQ is on the 4th floor of the hotel side in City View 2. Take the elevators from the North Tower, then follow the signs over to Cosplay HQ.

Q: What is Cosplay HQ's hours of operation?
  • Friday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
We all enjoy coming to the Sheraton every year for this convention so be sure to treat the hotel and its staff with the same respect you would like to receive.

While no changes to these rules are foreseen, certain circumstances may require that the rules be changed. Any updates 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.

Strut Your Stuff



Strut Your Stuff is where members get to show off their costumes without having to meet the craftsmanship requirements of Cosplay Runway. Join us to watch these members show off their personality on Sunday, July 30th in Main Events, during the Cosplay Runway!

  1. Strut Your Stuff Rules
  2. Rehearsal Rules
  3. How to Enter
  4. Frequently Asked Questions

Section I. General Strut Your Stuff Rules

  • All Strut Your Stuff participants must be members of AnimeFest/GameFest 2023. 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. Your costume can be based from an anime, manga, original design, just about anything goes.
  • Per the Dress Code Policy, you must wear shoes at all times even if your character does not wear shoes.
  • Commissioned costumes or closet cosplay is acceptable.
  • 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
  • You may enter individually or as a group, but groups are limited to 8 participants.

Section II. Rehearsal Rules and Regulations

  • There will be a mandatory dress rehearsal/walk-through Sunday at 5:00 pm at Main Events. If you show up late and have not given adequate notification, you may no longer be allowed to enter in Strut Your Stuff.
  • 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 may stop and pose. We ask that each of these poses be unique, but not required.
  • 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.

Section III. How to Enter

You will need to enter in person at Cosplay HQ to make us aware that you’re looking to show your beautiful self on stage in costume! Times that you may check-in:
  • Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
You only need to check-in once during the above time frames. You will need to be available for the mandatory dress rehearsal/walk-through which is Sunday at 5:00 pm in Main Events.

Section IV. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is this Cosplay HQ you speak of?

The Cosplay HQ is on the 4th floor of the hotel side in City View 2. Take the elevators from the North Tower, then follow the signs over to Cosplay HQ.

Q: What is Cosplay HQ's hours of operation?
  • Friday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

We all enjoy coming to the Sheraton every year for this convention so be sure to treat the hotel and its staff with the same respect you would like to receive!

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.