Cosplay Contest Rules

St Joesph Retro Con Main Stage Cosplay Contest

RULES:
All Contestants MUST adhere to all applicable General Cosplay Rules and the dress code
Cosplay based on unlicensed characters and original characters MAY enter the cosplay contest, but will be placed into the Masquerade category UNLESS they have made 50% or more of their cosplay.

Art of these characters is HIGHLY suggested to show to the judges. Please inform our cosplay coordinator if you have any unconventional plans besides just walking on and off the stage.

Things that will NOT be allowed:
GymnasticsRoller skates/ blades/ wheels of any kind. 
Open flames
confetti
Anything we have to sweep or mop up.

Please don't make a mess. 

All contestants are expected to have excellent sportsmanship and respect for one another.

If it is found that a contestant is acting in an unsportsmanlike manner towards the audience, fellow contestants, judges, or cosplay staff, they will be disqualified and barred from any future SJRC related cosplay contest. 

Contestants must be over the age of 18, or 16 with a parent or guardian present. This is for safety. If you are under 16 and would like to compete, please enter our Family and Kids cosplay showcase on Sunday. Duos of parents/gaurdians and children may enter craftsmanship this day if they so choose, but will not be allowed to renter the next day. 

Your cosplay must not have won a major award at another convention, and if it has it must have been atleast 50% altered or redone with proof to qualify for craftsmanship. Sandbagging is not allowed.

If found to be lying, cheating, or anything of that form the contestant will be disqualified and denied access to future SJRC cosplay contests. 

Contest Categories:
The cosplay contest will feature 2 main categories for entrants:

Craftsmanship: This category is intended for those who have handmade 50% or more of their cosplay. Duos/ Small Groups are allowed to enter. Our judges have requested if you enter this category please bring a build book with at least 1 reference photo and 5 progress photos, the more the better! Highly recommend looking at some examples online if you have never made a build book! 

Masquerade:This category is for those who aren’t as crafty, but still want to work the stage! If you have a store bought or closet cosplay this category is for you! We will not be holding a prejudging for those in this category, and will be scoring based on stage presence alone. We highly encourage everyone in this category to be in character (within reason) and really use that stage!!! 

Awards
We know this is what you want to know about…. Prizes for this con look a little different than your average contest. Here’s how it works: Both Craftsmanship and Masquerade entrants will have a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd ranking, with 6 winners in total.

Prizes will be announced when awarded. Additional to those 6 winners, 3 judges' choices will be selected, given out by each of our 3 judges. These awards include the entirety of both contest categories. 

Our convention special award… we’re calling it the Best Retro Cosplay award! To qualify for this award your cosplay needs to be from a media that is considered retro! This award is open to both contest categories as long as it fits the retro criteria. 

General Info:
To apply for the cosplay contest, please use this
link: https://forms.gle/xUZ8wKzXJWkmtCan9         

By applying you are agreeing that you will have valid credentials to the show the day of the contest. We will NOT be providing contestants with credentials at this time, but would love to offer this in the future. Contestant spots are limited to 50 contestants, 25 in craftsmanship and 25 in masquerade. We highly encourage signing up with the link by April 20th, so you will ensure you receive an email from us giving you more important info, times, and locations.

In-person sign ups will be allowed during the event but will close at 1pm*. Those who apply online and are competing in craftsmanship will receive Prejudging times early, and those who sign up day of will be assigned into spots reserved for in-person sign ups.

Please make sure you keep an eye on your email between the dates of April 20th to the day of (May 2nd) so you don't miss any important updates. 


SJRC Family Cosplay Showcase 

The SJRC Family Cosplay Showcase and Parade is a family and kid focused cosplay contest. There is no craftsmanship judging here, and gives families an event to do together! Hosted on Sunday, families or kids (anyone under 15) will need to sign up in the cosplay sector. At that time we will assign you a number and give you a time/location to meet. When the time comes, families and kids will meet up in the given location, and proceed to do a parade around the vendor hall, ending at the stage. Our panel of judges will then watch as everyone walks the stage. Make sure you stop and pose for a fun family photo!

Our judges will then determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Scoring consists of how clever your family cosplay is and stage presence. Goody bags will be given to all children, and adults if they would like one, with prizes announced during the contest given to those who place. Please remember this is a family oriented event, although children may enter alone!

Be good sports! We’re here to have some fun!