Entry is free to all attendees. Entrants associated with the event may enter but in the interests of fairness will not be eligible for prizes. In these circumstances special commendations may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

All contestants must complete a Competition Entrance Form prior to registration, which will take place between 10am and 12pm. Whilst forms will be available on the day it is highly recommended they are completed prior to the event. Please give them as much information as possible as this will be used in the initial judging stage to decide the finalists in each category. A photograph or picture of the character you are portraying and/or the construction of your costume would also be beneficial and may be attached to your entrance form. Please use copies as we will be unable to return them at the end of the competition.

During registration each contestant will be photographed (front and back). Should there be a particular piece of your costume you spent hours slaving over or has a lot of detail that may be missed, please speak to the team and we will be happy to include a close up of that item. This is also your opportunity to bring your character to life with your best poses.

The top 5 cosplayers from each category will be invited on stage in the finals later in the afternoon when the winners will be announced.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Any item or activity that presents the possibility of damage to the entrants, their costumes, the audience, or the facility is prohibited. Carrying or displaying real weapons or weapon replicas of any sort is prohibited by Convention Management. Costume weapons may be worn as long as they are made from plastic, wood or foam and considered safe by event management. Prohibited items worn into the convention areas will be confiscated. Functional firearms are not permitted at any time in the convention or the costume contest. Fire and liquids are not permitted. Should you be unsure of the acceptance of any part of your costume please check with the competition coordinators prior to attending (see below).

2. Good taste must be used in creation and presentation of costumes and talent. Gore, graphic violence, nudity, swearing, or other objectionable elements may be grounds for disqualification as determined by the Costume Competition Staff. The Costume Competition attracts many families and we wish to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for all spectators (PG-13).

3. Any participant may be disqualified from the competition by Show or Facility Management or Costume Competition Staff for failure to observe any of these rules. All decisions made by the judges are final. All prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the competition.

4. No entries will be accepted after check-in has concluded. The finalists from each category will be invited back on stage where the winners will be announced. Full costume must be worn at this time. Finalists must attend the final judging in full costume to qualify for their Awards.

5. Questions about Costume Competition rules and registration may be addressed to the Cosplay Competition Coordinators via email to unipoolcosplay@gmail.com Please include “Costume Competition” in the subject line.