Contest rules

The competition is open to individuals representing film, TV series, games, comics, books, anime or other characters. OC costumes (original characters) with realistic designs (e.g. Zach Fisher Art) are eligible.

Contestant must be at least 15 years old (contestants under 18 must provide consent of legal guardian).

Entries can only be submitted in advance via the online form. Entry will be open from January 1 to March 1, 2025 inclusive.

A link with pre-edited and edited audio and video tracks must be provided. E.g. links to Youtube files are NOT accepted. If the edited audio and video track is not delivered by the deadline date, the generic track selected by us will be used for output. The maximum length of the output and therefore the track is 90 seconds.
Photos from the production
Multiple photos of the costume production are required. It is best to put the photos with the production descriptions in one file and save it in PDF (AJ or CZ).
This file will serve as an aid to accompany the costume and will be taken into account during pre-judging.

It is necessary to provide a written medallion about you and a representative photo (it does not have to be a competition costume). The cosplayer's medallion is a short unit of a few sentences. It introduces your work, interests and cosplay experience. Possibly your awards and achievements in the cosplay scene. The length is max 10 sentences. Please make a medallion in English, but it is not a requirement.

E.g. "Hi, my name is Aki. I've been in the cosplay scene for 5 years. I love making costumes and learning new things with each new cosplay. I really like sewing and working with foam. I enjoy taking pictures and wearing my costume to events. I started out in foreign cosplay competitions and I would like to try a competition here in the Czech Republic."

If the application is not complete, the contestant will not be allowed to enter the competition. He/she must provide all the documents listed in the application form. Competitors are selected internally according to the following criteria.

Selected contestants will be contacted by email with the date of delivery of additional required files (scene script, lights, props) and a photo of the entire costume.

No later than 8 March 2025, each of the entrants will be informed of the status of their registration and admission to the competition. The registered costumes will be pre-judged on the basis of the submitted materials and accordingly admitted to the competition at Comic-Con Prague. The competition has only a limited number (12) of competition places.
Participation in the contest is not enforceable.

A contestant with a costume that has placed/was awarded in another costume contest may not be admitted to the contest.

In the event that an entrant decides not to participate in the contest for serious reasons, they must notify the contestant by email as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the contest.

The competition consists of two compulsory parts:
Pre-judging - a 10-minute presentation of the technical aspects of the costumes. The specific time and place of the prejudging will be specified to the contestants no later than April 6, 2025 in an email; we tentatively know that the prejudging will take place on Saturday during the day.
Main performance - stage performance/presentation.
Contestants will have a maximum of 90 seconds to perform/costume presentation.
Contestants may have one assistant/helper, but they may not be on stage during the performance.

Contestants will be judged by three expert judges appointed by the organizing team.

Three main aspects will be judged: the accuracy of the costume in relation to the model, the quality of the execution of the costume and the performance/presentation/roleplay of the costume. In the overall evaluation, these three criteria will be represented by the following percentages: 40% accuracy of the costume, 40% quality of execution, 20% performance.
More weight will be given to the costume that was self-made. If the organizers feel that the costume is bought (shoes, lenses, wigs do not count) or the participant lies about its production (must provide proof of production in the documents) the organization has the right to disqualify the contestant.

Three awards will be given for best costume, second best costume and third best costume based on the judges' scores. In addition, a People's Choice Award will be given based on audience voting.

The costume and performance must not contain dangerous or polluting items such as firearms, cold weapons, functional bows, parts that may pollute the area (confetti, glitter, artificial blood, dyed liquids and dyes, open flames, excessive smoke, etc.) The costume must not be offensive (underwear type costumes or costumes containing hate symbols are not allowed).
Microphones are not allowed during the performance, all audio material must be on the provided soundtrack. The organisers will not provide any props e.g. tables, chairs or other furniture. Any backdrops and props must be the competitor's and must not take more than 30 seconds to set up and de-set up. Number of backdrops allowed: 3.

Contestant must be able to safely move in costume in narrow corridors, walk on stairs and inclined surfaces. It is not possible to put on parts of the costume on stage before the performance (unless this is part of the performance itself).

A date will be set for a technical rehearsal to test the stage and performance. If the contestant is unable to attend on the given date, his/her performance will have to take place without this rehearsal. We are tentatively aware that the technical test will take place in the early hours of the morning at the venue.

Violations of the rules, inappropriate behavior, disturbance and harassment of other competitors may result in the competitor being removed from the event and the matter may be referred to the con organizers for resolution.

By disqualification from the competition, the competitor loses the right to any prizes won for placing in each category. This includes retroactively.
Subject to change.