1) All applications must be submitted via the below form prior to pre-judging. Contestants will have a scheduled pre-judging time arranged prior to the event. The cut-off date for application submission will be publicly published well before the cut-off date. Late applications may be submitted at the discretion of the judges as schedule allows. If the judges reject your late application this is a final decision and may not be appealed.
2) All judging will be conducted prior to the stage show off stage according to the pre-judging schedule. If you are late or fail to show up for your pre-judging appointment, you will be disqualified and forfeit all potential prizes and services offered to contest participants. If you will be late for your appointment it may be rescheduled at the discretion of the judges as time allows if, and only if, you contact the judges prior to your appointment time, and another appointment time is available. If the judges reject your attempt to reschedule, this is a final decision and may not be appealed.
3) Contestants may only enter one category. Judges may, at their discretion, place you in a category higher than you chose for yourself if they observe that your costume meets a higher degree of technical difficulty, they will not, however, place you in a category lower than you chose for yourself if your costume does not meet the level of technical difficulty defined below. Categories available are:
--- Child: Any individual under the age of 18 may enter as a child, and all individuals under the age of 12 must enter as a child.
--- Exposition: Any costume more than 30% bought, thrifted, or put together from the closet (closet cosplays), without modification. This category does not need to attend prejudging, but must still register for the contest before the cut-off time.
--- Novice: Any costume the contestant considers to be at a beginner, apprentice, or entry level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain little to no technical precision and will be comprised mainly of simplistic forms and materials.
--- Journeyman: Any costume the contestant considers to be at an intermediate, middle, or average level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain a moderate degree of technical precision and will be comprised of a mix of simplistic and more complex forms and materials.
--- Master: Any costume the contestant considered to be at an experienced, exceptional, or mastery level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain a high degree technical precision and will be comprised of mainly of intricate, elaborate, or challenging forms and materials.
4) Contestants must choose to enter as either an individual or as a group, but the same costume may not be entered for both. If choosing to enter as a group, please be aware due to the unpredictable size of groups, prizes for each member are not guaranteed.
5) Contestants may only enter one costume for consideration.
6) Submission of a visual reference material is preferred. In order for the judges to accurately judge your work, it is recommended that you submit a conceptual image along with your application or in person at your appointment. The judges prefer this image include both a front and back visualization of your concept, and that the image be in color. Electronic media will not be accepted at the time of judging. Unacceptable media include but is not limited to: CDs, laptops, video devices, iPods, iPads, iPhones, and flash drives. Submission of reference material is not required, however, if the judges are unfamiliar with your reference you may lose accuracy points without a visual reference for your character.
7) No skits or performances during judging or while on stage.
8) No nudity. At minimum your nipples and genitals must be covered.
9) No profanity while on stage. This rule applies not only to your individual actions, but your costume as well. Please ensure that all messages on signs or clothes are not obscene or derogatory in nature.
10) No political or religious statements while on stage. This rule applies not only to your individual actions, but your costume as well. Please ensure that all messages on signs or clothes are politically and religiously neutral in nature.
11) No projectiles of any kind while on or off stage. No object may leave your person or your direct control while at the event.
12) No flash-pots, explosive devices, or similar special effects while on or off stage.
13) All prop weapons must conform to the Mobicon, Inc. Weapons Policy.
14) All costumes must be self-contained.
15) All costumes must enter and exit the stage at the designated locations only.
16) All costumes must be handled by the contestant or their handlers. If your costume is larger or elaborate and requires helpers or handlers, you must provide your own. Mobicon, Inc. and its event staff or not able to provide handlers or assistants. Judges are not allowed to assist with your costume.
17) A costume that has won any major award at any previous cosplay contest is not eligible to compete.
Categories available are:
--- Child: Any individual under the age of 18 may enter as a child, and all individuals under the age of 12 must enter as a child.
--- Exposition: Any costume more than 30% bought, thrifted, or put together from the closet (closet cosplays), without modification. This category does not need to attend prejudging, but must still register for the contest before the cut-off time.
--- Novice: Any costume the contestant considers to be at a beginner, apprentice, or entry level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain little to no technical precision and will be comprised mainly of simplistic forms and materials.
--- Journeyman: Any costume the contestant considers to be at an intermediate, middle, or average level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain a moderate degree of technical precision and will be comprised of a mix of simplistic and more complex forms and materials.
--- Master: Any costume the contestant considered to be at an experienced, exceptional, or mastery level of difficulty. This level is likely to contain a high degree technical precision and will be comprised of mainly of intricate, elaborate, or challenging forms and materials.
