This cosplay contest is for all cosplayers. One aspect of this contest is for handmade costumes, those who have made at least 80% of their costume. The other is a category for assembled costumes which is not primarily handmade. This is a pre-judged competition. Contestants will be led into a judging room, have their photo taken, and will be given 5 minutes to present their work to the judges. Judges will get to closely inspect the costumes and ask questions. Awards for this contest will be presented on Sunday.
Sign-ups will be on location at the cosplay judging room which is Annapolis Registration Desk.
Friday from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm
Judging will be from 2:00pm Saturday to 5:00pm (more time will be added based off of need) located in Annapolis Room 4.
Rules:
- All participants must have reference pictures of their costume character; without proper reference material, the judges cannot assess the accuracy of a costume. Please bring printouts, manga, art books, or any other form of reference material for the Judges to use to aid them in their task. Digital references are fine, please place these images in a separate folder on your device.
- Original Characters and book characters are permitted; however, reference art or other materials must still be provided.
- Craftsmanship is the assessment of the costumer’s skill at making a costume.
Any costume that consists mostly of bought items will fall under the best assemblage (ie. buying regular street clothes that require no alterations).
Only 20% of your costume may consist of bought items. 80% must be created by you to be able to compete under craftsmanship awards.
If you commissioned your costume, it will not be considered for craftsmanship judging. You cannot receive credit for another person’s work unless that person is present for judging.
- Poor sportsmanship is grounds for disqualification from future Station Unity contests. Be a gracious winner and loser. Additionally, bullying another contestant is strictly prohibited. If the contest coordinator finds out that bullying has occurred, the bully will be disqualified. Be kind to your fellow contestants.
- No entries may contain religious, political, insulting, or offensive statements. We utilize the following definition of offensive cosplays: cosplays that incite violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, ageism, and bigotry. This includes race-facing (e.g. blackface/brownface/yellowface) as well as costumes that replicate or make light of historic or current international or national tragedies (this includes depictions of the novel coronavirus in any way).
- Judges’ rulings are final.
- Costumes that have previously won a major award in any competition are not eligible unless 50% of the costume has been remade and that status disclosed to the judges. Failure to disclose may result in disqualification from this year and future Station Unity contests. A major award is classified as a “Best” or “First Place”.
- Costumes must follow the code of conduct as set in Station Unity Rules as well as local laws. No costume is no costume.
- Use of latex balloons and gloves are not permitted. This is a disability/accessibility rule. Failure to comply may kill contest staff. We like our staff alive. Latex alternatives like silicon or mylar are permitted. You will not be penalized for not including props like latex balloons in your costume. If you have a question about what could be considered dangerous, please email the contest staff at: (insert email here).
- Groups are permitted! If you worked on your costume as a group effort, all parties must be present. Special allocations due to illness may be permitted. Speak to contest staff if you have any questions about the absence of a team member.
- Each contestant may have a handler or buddy in the judging room if needed.
Categories:
Beginner- Has never competed in any craftsmanship contest before.
Novice- Has won less than 2 awards.
Journeyman- Has won between 3-5 awards.
Master- Has won 6 or more awards.
Awards:
Best Youth
Best Beginner
Best Novice
Best Journeyman
Best Master
Best Assemblage
Judge’s Awards (3)