Costume Contest

Cosplay Competition Rules

*Application to open on Friday August 16, 2024.

Entry Requirements

• Entrants must have a badge for the day of the convention that the Contest will be held on.
• Characters being costumed must have been created and illustrated by a 3rd party. Original characters are not allowed, unless created by a notable artist that is not yourself.
• To enter the competition, your costume must fall into one of these two categories:
  1. Majority of your costume was created by you. This may include reworking and modifying ready-made parts (such as boots, wigs, and gloves) as part of your costume.
  2. Your costume was assembled from at least 3 different sources of pre-made pieces, and you must have created at least one aspect or piece.
• Nudity or the showing of nipples, regardless of gender, is not allowed. This is a family friendly show, so if you are in doubt, please put some fabric on it.
• Full costumes entered in previous Comic Con Honolulu costume-related Competitions cannot be entered in this Competition; however use of parts from previous costumes is allowed if the new costume is different and unique from the original donor costume.
• Live animals, flash powder, fireworks, lasers, electrical flashes, smoke machines, releasing liquids (such as water, fake blood, etc.) and / or aerosol cans (such as paint, hair dye and/or silly string) are strictly forbidden.
• All Props / Weapons must bear proof of inspection by Comic Con Honolulu’s Public Safety Department and conform to Comic Con Honolulu’s Prop Policy.
• Bicycles, Rollerblades, Skateboards, Healies, Rip Sticks, or anything that may be deemed a vehicle of transportation is not permitted at the Hawaii Convention Center nor in our Competition.
• Note: The only exception to this rule is for people with disabilities who utilize mobility devices.
• All participants under 16 require a parent or guardian at both prejudging and check-in at the Contest (see more info below). Requests for exemptions or modifications of this rule must be made at least 7 days prior to prejudging; please contact us for consideration at [email protected].
• Participants must select a category to compete in from the following; if unsure which category you fit in, please contact us and we can guide you:
  • Youth Category – aged 14 and below, and has never won any costume-related award* at any show
  • Novice Category – 15 years or older, and never won any costume-related award* at any show
  • Journeyman Category – any age, has won 1-2 previous costume awards* at any show
  • Masters Category – any age, has won 3+ costume awards* at any show
    • Awards are considered any recognition for cosplay craftsmanship at a competition such as but not limited to Judge’s Choice at a previous CCH or Best in Show at a library cosplay competition.
• Only one costume entry is eligible per person unless entered as a group from the same series.
• Group entries are allowed but are considered as 1 entrant, are judged together, and will receive only one prize if they win any category.
• The showcase is limited to the first 60 entrants, so please submit your online entry forms early as entries will be on a first come, first served basis. You shall be considered an ‘official’ entrant once you receive a confirmation email with your prejudging timeslot.

Reference Material

• Reference material is required for entry. Please bring any and all reference material with you at the time of judging, the more material you bring, the better.
• Reference images should prominently show the character and any salient details your costume work is based on and will be used during judging.
• Your entry form must include at least one digital submission: the bigger, the better. We will be projecting a reference image while contestants walk across the stage, so make sure your image is as large and crisp as possible. Please don’t alter the aspect ratio or stretch your image.
• No matter how popular your character or series may be, do not assume the judges will be familiar with any particular series or character – always bring reference material with you for judging.
• For prejudging, please also bring any additional reference material you feel is required to inform the judges on the character you are costuming or details you would like to relay to them. Reference material can be from any source, either digital / online, color prints, or in printed materials such as books or magazines.
• Contestants failing to provide any reference materials are subject to disqualification at the discretion of the judges.

Conduct

• Contestants must adhere to all Comic Con Honolulu Code of Conduct rules at all times. This applies to costumes, props and weapons, contestants, parents/guardians, and performances.
• Contestants are expected to observe the following additions:
  • All contestants must be respectful and careful of each other, their costumes and their props at all times. Willful damage of costumes and/or props as well as inappropriate behavior towards other contestants will not be tolerated.
  • The Comic Con Honolulu Costume Contest is a family-oriented event. If it is not appropriate for a PG-13 rating, do not wear it, and/or do not perform it.
  • All Props and Weapons must follow the Comic Con Honolulu Props Policy, and while on stage, they may be unsheathed for display, but must not be swung around.
  • You are not allowed to act in a manner that may cause risk to yourself and/or any other person.
  • Contestants are prohibited from jumping off or running off/on the stage.
• Any infraction of our rules of conduct are grounds for disqualification from the Cosplay Contest, removal from the event, forfeiture of badge, and expulsion from the convention center.

Prejudging

• Once your online submission has been received, you will receive your judging time one week before the convention.
• Please show up 15 minutes before your time slot and check-in with a staff member to allow for early judging flexibility. If you do not arrive on time without notifying the staff, you forfeit your slot.
  • Note: If time allows, you may be able to be waitlisted and still considered. However, this is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
• During your time slot, the judges of the Competition will ask you to provide reference materials and ask specific questions about the process and appearance of your costume.

Walk-On Entries

• If you would like to participate as a walk-on entry (be on stage, but not be judged or considered for an award) you can fill out a walk-on form that is available during the prejudging event.
• Signups for walk-ons are on a first come, first served, and as time permits basis: there is no guarantee that you will be able to participate.
• All walk-ons are expected to follow the same Conduct Rules as stated above and must be available for both rehearsal and the Costume Showcase to participate.

Cosplay Showcase

• The Cosplay Contest will have a mandatory rehearsal that occurs directly before the Cosplay Contest in Main Events, and up to one hour in duration. Accepted contestants are expected to stay the full duration of this rehearsal and then proceed straight into the Cosplay Showcase event. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled rehearsal start time to make sure you are ready to go.
  • Note: Failure to show up on time for rehearsal may result in disqualification and/or dismissal from the Contest.
• Food and beverages other than water are not allowed during rehearsal.
• During rehearsal, you will be placed in order of entry number provided at your prejudging and will wait your turn to walk the runway. While you wait, please be respectful of other entrants and follow all Comic Con Honolulu crew instructions.
• Once on the runway, you will have between 30 and 60 seconds on stage to pose for the cameras and show off. If you exceed your time limit, you will be asked to leave the stage. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and/or dismissal from the competition.
  • No audio or visual equipment or opportunities will be provided.
  • External sound effects are allowed only if the entrant has their own speaker and if it can be executed within the time provided.
  • No physical or verbal interactions with the audience, judges, or MC are allowed.
• If an entrant is unable to safely reach the stage, accommodations will be made for the entrant to walk on the ground level through the audience.
• After rehearsal is completed, you must remain in the immediate vicinity for the Cosplay Contest: if you need a moment to fix your outfit or need a short moment to yourself, please let one of the Comic Con Honolulu crew know and return as quickly as possible. The Competition will mimic the rehearsal with the same guidance above.
• Upon exiting the stage, contestants must remain backstage for the awards ceremony. If you are not present, you will not be able to win.

Award Categories

• Prizes may be awarded in the following categories listed below. Please note that some categories may not be awarded at the discretion of the judges and / or by Comic Con Honolulu.
  • Judges Choice – Award medal
  • Best Youth – Trophy and $100
  • Best Novice – Trophy and $200
  • Best Journeyman – Trophy and $300
  • Best Master – Trophy and $400

Final Thoughts

• Comic Con Honolulu is the final arbiter for all rules, circumstances, and disputes, and may change rules at any time as necessary to fit the overall integrity and intent of the Costume Contest.

If there are any questions on the above, please contact us at [email protected].