Causeacon® Cosplay and Prop Contest
Cosplay & Prop Contest Rules
Welcome to the Causeacon 2023 Cosplay & Prop Contest! The Cosplay & Prop Contest takes place on Saturday, April 29th and Judging takes place that morning.
While we make every effort to have the complete and final rules published, we may need to make adjustments or modifications to the rules at any time to improve the clarity of the rules or the operation of the cosplay events.
Judging Divisions:
- Kids: This category is for kids 12 and under, costumes can be bought or hand made, though you get more points for hand made.
- Beginner: If this is your first Cosplay experience or you have never won a Cosplay award, this is your division. 75% of your costume should be hand made.
- Expert: If you have ever won a Cosplay award or your cosplay skill is above what is considered beginner, you’re in the right place. 75% of your costume should be hand made. If your costume has won more than 2 awards at conventions it is not eligible for this contest.
- Judge’s Pick (best in show): The judge’s will pick their favorite cosplay over all of the participants.
- Prop Master: Open to all ages, this category is dedicated to prop making. That includes: weapons, shields, accessories and props from fandoms. 75% of the prop should be made by hand.
- Staff Picks: Some of our Causeacon staff members will pick their favorite cosplays from the competition for a small honor. Any costume from the competition can win, even if they have received a judge award from the current competition.
Each contestant will be judged on the following categories:
- Accuracy (how accurate your costume is to it’s original image)
- Creativeness (how creatively you constructed your costume)
- Craftsmanship (How much of your costume you created/altered yourself)
- Polished (Having clean seams, paint job and having an overall polished look)
If you are uncertain which division is best for your entry, our staff can assist you!
Please remember we do not supply participants with any of the following: make-up, make-up applicators and/or removers, paint, etc. Please come to the convention with everything you need to complete and/or assemble your cosplay.
Cosplay Contest Rules
- All Cosplay participants must be registered attendees of the convention.
- The same costume CAN NOT win more than once at Causeacon.
- Contestants will walk on stage when announced and have 6 seconds to pose for pictures and move on.
- NO blatant nudity/adult related content. This event is rated PG, and we are a family-friendly convention. Please use some discretion with your character, props and presentation.
- The following may not be worn for competition in inexperienced or experienced workmanship division: purchased costumes or rented costumes. You can wear them on stage just to show them off but you cannot win any awards.
- Youth participants under the age of 12 may be accompanied by an adult (with a purchased ticket/badge).
- Your entry must be finished before you get to the line-up hallway. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
- Participants will be required to sign a liability release and a release for use of video and photo images.
- All contestants must be able to move their costume on their own. So please no 80 lb wings or giant mecha unless you can walk up stairs in it.
- People can only enter as part of one costume or group. If a person has made multiple costumes, they must be entered as a group, otherwise you must select only one to compete in the Workmanship contest.
- If your costume is made almost entirely by someone else, they must be present to win in workmanship and the prize will go to them.
- It’s okay for entrants in the inexperienced category to have help from a relative/friend, but they should have made most of the costume themselves. The helper does not need to be present, but the contestant must be honest with judges about the extent of the involvement anyone else had in the construction of their costume. Experienced category contestants are expected to make their costumes.
- Audience members are not allowed to run up to the stage area for any reason.
- Audience members should be courteous and respectful. Please do not boo or shout negative things to cosplay contestants.
- The cosplay director and judges have the right to change your division to a higher division to create a fair competition. Consider this an honor.
- You may enter both the cosplay contest and prop master contest at the same time and with the same or different prop pieces in both categories.
Prop Master Rules
- All prop participants must be registered attendees of the convention.
- The same prop CAN NOT win more than once at Causeacon.
- Contestants will walk on stage when announced and have 6 seconds to display their prop and show any of its functions if applicable.
- NO blatant nudity/adult related content. This event is rated PG, and we are a family-friendly convention. Please use some discretion with your props and presentation.
- This category is open to all ages.
- Your entry must be finished before you get to the line-up hallway. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
- Participants will be required to sign a liability release and a release for use of video and photo images.
- All contestants must be able to move their prop on their own and walk up stairs carrying it.
- A group can enter together for contributing in making one prop, but can only enter one time.
- If your prop is made by someone else, they must be present to win in workmanship and the prize will go to them.
- Audience members are not allowed to run up to the stage area for any reason.
- Audience members should be courteous and respectful. Please do not boo or shout negative things to prop contestants.
- Props entered must comply with the Causeacon rules and regulations under the cosplay guidelines.
- Prop approved entires are as follows: weapons, shields, props and costume accessories (hats, masks, gauntlets, belts, wings, ect). Costume pieces and clothing apparel are not permissible for this category.
- You may only enter one prop in the contest.
- You may enter both the cosplay contest and prop master contest at the same time and with the same or different prop pieces in both categories.
Release Forms
All participants will be required to sign a permission/release/waiver form to participate in the contest.
Minors under 18 years of age may participate in the Cosplay Contest only if a permission/release form signed by the minor’s legal guardian is provided. We highly encourage you to print out and sign the appropriate form(s) and bring them to check-in to expedite the process.
Important! Forms will be collected when you check in for the judging portion of the contest. This is the only time we will accept waivers. If signed waiver forms are not present, we will not check you in.
Cosplay Contest Applications
Online applications will close Monday, April 23th 2023 at 12 PM. If there are any slots open after online applications close, you can still sign up during the event at the Causeacon Information Booth, slots are limited.
Judging Information:
When: Saturday, April 29th, 2023
When 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Panel Room Crimson
Cosplay contestants must be judged before 12:30 PM to be officially entered into the Cosplay Contest. Pre-registered contestants (those who signed up online), will receive front of line priority when judging, but still, must be judged before 12:30 PM. When entering Panel Room Crimson, contestants must check in with a Causeacon staff member and turn in/fill out their photo consent form before being judged.
The Cosplay Contest Online Applications are now closed.
We will have a few additional slot sign ups at the Causeacon Info Booth during the event.
Cosplay Prop Master Applications
Online applications will close Wednesday, April 25th 2023 at 12 PM. If there are any slots open after online applications close, you can still sign up during the event at the Causeacon Information Booth, slots are limited.
Judging Information:
When: Saturday, April 29th, 2023
When 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Panel Room Crimson
Prop contestants must be judged before 12:30 PM to be officially entered into the Prop master Contest. Pre-registered contestants (those who signed up online), will receive front of line priority when judging, but still, must be judged before 12:30 PM. When entering Panel Room Crimson, contestants must check in with a Causeacon staff member and turn in/fill out their photo consent form before being judged.