Cosplay Contest

Enter a contest showing off your cosplay! Come to our walk-in prejudging and stand on stage with other contestants later that day. Be sure to follow our Cosplay restrictions and contest rules. There will be certificates, trophies, and prizes for the winners.

Information

Pre-judging will take place on Saturday afternoon, February 29th. The Cosplay Contest itself will take place Saturday evening, February 29th, on the Main Events Stage.

Location for pre-judging and the exact times for both pre-judging and the Cosplay Contest will be released closer to the convention with the final schedule.

Awards will be given for the following categories:

Honorable Mention
Judge’s Choice
Best Junior
Best Group
Runner Up
Best in Show

For rules and regulations, please read below.

Inclusion Statement

FreeCon and its staff strongly uphold the standards of FSU’s non-discrimination policies, which hold that we will not deny any applicant by reason of race, gender, age, orientation, disability status, or religious beliefs. Additionally, FreeCon upholds the standards of diversity in cosplay as an art, wherein the costume itself is judged without regard to body type, skin color, perceived sex, or race.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed, we are happy to help.

Rules of Entry

Cosplays must be at least 50% homemade; judges will examine the craftsmanship of the costumes via interview and craftsmanship criteria.

Entrees that do not qualify may participate as a walk-ons, but will not be considered for judging and awards.

If a contestant is modelling a cosplay, the original creator(s) must be attending the convention as well and they will be the award recipient.

Group entrees will be allowed to a maximum of 10 people. (Minimum 2 people to be considered a group)

Junior entries apply to those 12 years old or younger. (Otherwise there are no age restrictions for entry).

Entrees may only receive one title/prize each, no double winning.

Cosplays must cover at least the swimsuit area. The contest is for all ages/PG-13 and inappropriate cosplays will not be allowed.

You MUST go to prejudging to be eligible for entry. No at the door admission.

No skits will be permitted, when on stage the entree will pose for audience pictures briefly, then walk off stage.

No weapons real or fake are allowed. Staffs, unsheathed lightsabers, and bats are all considered weapons. Props not considered weapons are generally “light props” such as flowers, a lamp, a fan, etc. Skateboards are also allowed. If you wish to carry a toy lightsaber on your person, it must be sheathed at all times. Walking canes incorporated into the cosplay are permitted as an accommodation. It’s your responsibility to contact us about whether your prop qualifies or not.

No body paint, glitter, or fake blood. (Fake blood & paint on the face are the only exceptions). You may also be denied entry to the convention if you use these.

Participation Requirements

Follow all “Rules of Entry.”
Must fill out sign-in sheet provided at prejudging.
Must be able to participate in an interview in costume.

Restrictions

No weapons, regardless if they are real or fake.

No body paint, glitter, or fake blood. (Fake blood & paint on the face are the only exceptions).

Walking canes that are incorporated in the cosplay are allowed as an accommodation.

“Light props” are permitted, which means props that aren’t considered a weapon, such as flowers, a skateboard, or a fan.

Guns, swords, blades, hammers, staffs, unsheathed lightsabers, bludgeons and bats are all considered weapons. If you wish to carry a toy lightsaber on your person, it must be sheathed at all times. It’s your responsibility to contact us about whether your prop is allowed or not.

Props considered weapons will be temporarily confiscated. They will be returned to you when you leave the convention by checking with a staff or volunteer.

FreeCon 15 Contest Gallery