Cosplay Contest and Skits
How to Register for the Cosplay Contest, Cosplay Show-off, or Skits:
what you need
to know
If you have purchased a ticket for AFW you can pre-register for the Cosplay Contest, Cosplay Show-Off, or Skits online! You can sign up online or at the cosplay sign-up table at the convention. All sign-up is on a first come first served basis. Sign-up for the Cosplay Contest, Cosplay Show-Off, and Skits ends one hour before the contest starts Saturday at the convention or when the maximum number of contestants is reached. You must register even if you just want to walk the stage to show off and are not competing.
- Click the Sign Me Up button.
- Click on the yellow “Get Tickets Now” button
- Click the green “Tickets” button
- Scroll all the way to the bottom of the list of tickets and get ONE free ticket for what category you want to enter
- Fill out the information and click “Complete Registration”
Eligibility
All cosplay events are open to all paid attendees of AFW. However we have limited time/space so please register early. All types of cosplay are allowed and encouraged. All contestants ages 9 and below must be accompanied by an adult guardian
cosplay times
ALL Cosplay Contest entries must be signed up. No cosplay contest entries will be allowed after 12:00pm
SATURDAY
1:00pm – ALL Cosplay Contest entries must attend the mandatory Prejudging at Grand Eagle Ballroom H.*
5:00pm – After being prejudged, please return to Grand Eagle Ballroom H to prepare for the contest
5:30pm – The cosplay contest will begin
SUNDAY
Cosplay Show-Off and Skits
10:00am – Skit Practice using Main Stage
2:30pm – Show-Off and Skits
*Prejudging may take multiple hours, please eat before you come to prejudging*
important things
You must be able to walk a flight of stairs unimpaired in your costume, go through standard-sized doorways (at least sideways), and sit comfortably. If you feel yours is a special case, or have a question, e-mail the Coordinator: Cosplay@afwcon.org.
Also read rules for weapons – signs – panhandling.
Cosplay Contest entries are limited to approximately 30 seconds of stage time. Please plan out poses and stances in your costume(s) before going on stage. You must stay onstage throughout your presentation. Please do not go out into the audience, hang over the stage side or even approach the stage side or stairs until leaving the stage at which time you will be directed where to go
All realistic-looking firearms must have government safety orange visible. No real firearms are allowed on premises, also no metal weaponry. No harmful or potentially destructive materials or substances are allowed, including but not limited to fire-based effects (open flames, explosives, flash paper) silly string, paint, tobacco, powder, goo spraying out of dead daemon’s neck, no live animals, confetti, props that break into more than four pieces. During cosplay nothing should hit the floor.
State law, Hotel rules and AFW’s general rules supersede cosplay rules. Please be respect the convention space and be mindful of others.
The Cosplay Coordinator and AFW staff retains the authority to remove anyone from the Cosplay Competition, Cosplay Show-Off, or Skits at any time for any reason seen fit. There will be no appeal.
Judging Categories
Ages 9 and under
Contestant has competed before but has either never won an award or has won an award at any cosplay contest
Contestant has competed and won 2-4 awards of any kind at any cosplay competition
Contestant has professional experience and has an income from their work
This award is given to the contestant or contestants (If it is a group or team) can be chosen from any category. This award is given to the best costume overall in the cosplay contest.
Judges will choose contestants that appeal to them and give them their personal award
Contestants must provide at least 2 photos of the character you are portraying AND 2 or more photos of YOU in the process of making your cosplay. You have 2 options for submitting your photos.
- Email your photos to Cosplay@afwcon.org
- Print your photos and bring them to prejudging
If you do not wish to be judged on Craftsmanship, simply do not bring photos.