We will have both a Cosplay Contest and a Cosplay Dance Contest this year! We are also expanding the number of prize categories for the cosplay contest for even more winners! See the separate rules for each type of contest below.
COSPLAY CONTEST DETAILS
Our traditional in-person cosplay contest will be held at 4:00 in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center on the Syracuse University campus on April 19.
Anything that looks like a weapon must be kept under wraps except in the actual CON room—don’t parade them around campus, please.
Standard “safe weapon” rules apply–nothing that can actually shoot, nothing that would hurt somebody if we whacked or poked them with it. We reserve the right to temporarily confiscate any accessories that we deem to be too dangerous, solely on our judgement, and will return them after the show.
In-person contestants must sign up at the judge’s table on the day of the CON. Sign-ups will end an hour before the contest begins, so you must sign up between 11:00 and 3:00.
Please be ready to give the judges this information:
• your name and/or cosplay name
• the name of your character
• the show/game/comic etc. that the character is from
• a reference image of your character, unless your cosplay is an original character
• how much of your costume you made yourself
PRIZE CATEGORIES
• Grand Prize—the best overall costume in the contest
• Excellence in Construction—the costume showing the most technical skill in construction
• Best Closet Cosplay—the coolest costume pulled together from existing or slightly-modified clothes and materials you might find at home
• Best Expression of Character—the cosplayer who best inhabits their character’s persona on stage
• Best Group Cosplay—the most amazing themed group of cosplayers
• Favorite Kids Cosplay—for kids 12 and under
• Most Fun—for the cosplayer and costume that just shines on stage as being hella fun
If you wish to be considered for Excellence in Construction or the Grand Prize, please see the judges ahead of time so they can see your costume in detail. You must have made/altered at least 75% of your costume for Excellence in Construction and the Grand Prize. Group Cosplays do NOT need a skit, they just need to be a themed group. Kids’ costumes can be made or purchased by the kids or their families.
COSPLAY DANCE CONTEST
The cosplay dance contest will be held earlier in the afternoon. It does not require advanced sign-ups. When we announce the Dance Contest, everyone interested can simply come up on stage and shake it! We will play three songs that have featured prominently in geek culture (movies, video games, anime, etc.) and you can dance your heart out! We will give out at least three prizes for the Dance Contest. Contestants will not be judged on their costume construction, but on their dancing awesomeness. The Dance Contest is for FUN for EVERYONE.
GENERAL RULES AND TIPS
Costumes can be from any genre, including original characters and mash-ups.
We will photograph all participants in the contest. By entering the contest, you are allowing us to photograph and video you, and you are granting us permission to post those images or videos publicly on our website, social media, and other sites, and to use them as publicity and documentation for the CON this year and in future years.
We reserve the right to refuse cosplays that are offensive in nature, based on our judgment.
PRIZES
We’re giving out more money and more prizes for our in-person contest than we ever have before! Our prizes include cash for the Grand Prize and Contruction categories and significant bundles of swag for all other winners.
Plus, every winner wins a trophy custom-designed for their category!
“Swag!” will consist of a generous trove of collectibles, comics, and art, including items from our excellent vendors, as well as tickets to other local cons such as NoCoCon. One of the “Swag!” bundles will also randomly have an additional $50 in cash secretly inserted inside!
• Grand Prize: $200
• Excellence in Construction: $100
• Best Closet Cosplay: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
• Best Expression of Character: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
• Best Group Cosplay: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
• Favorite Kids Cosplay: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
• Most Fun: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
• Dance Prizes: Swag!–and a chance at secret cash
QUESTIONS?
Email Chris Wildrick, chris.wildrick@gmail.com, or message him on Facebook @geekartconfluence.
We’re also on Instagram @geekartcon.
You can download the Cosplay Contest Rules here.
JUDGES
Avera Cosplay
Avera Cosplay is an award-winning creator celebrated for her craftsmanship, intricate armor builds, and imaginative character mashups. She has earned top honors at major conventions including Dragon Con, MegaCon, Holiday Matsuri, and the Crown Championship Circuit, and has served as a judge for both Crown Championship qualifiers and The Masters of Cosplay.
Whether she’s competing on stage or judging, Avera brings passion, precision, and a whole lot of personality to everything she does.
A self-proclaimed agent of chaos and your friendly neighborhood con mom, she’s just as well-known for her memes and mischief as she is for her builds. Avera is a strong advocate for community, creativity, and helping fellow cosplayers level up through knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and good-natured fun.
From panels and workshops to spontaneous shenanigans on the con floor, Avera is always ready to talk shop, share tips, and spark a little adventure.
Avera is a Syracuse Alumni, and was Otto the Orange from 1999-2002.
Avera Cosplay on Instagram and Facebook.
Kate McKay/Andromeda’s Alchemy
Kate McKay has been judging cosplay contests for the last 9 years at some of the largest conventions in Central New York. She takes pride in not only assessing cosplayers, but encouraging others to try out cosplay, and her enthusiasm for it is infectious. When she isn’t judging contests, she has entered and won cosplay contests for her own work. Kate is also one of the coordinators for Syracuse Cosplayers, a large group dedicated to promoting community and growth of cosplay around all of New York. Kate owns and operates Andromeda’s Alchemy, where she specializes in costumes and other fabric arts. Her commission work spans a wide spectrum of clientele, ranging from dance studios to large nonprofit groups. She takes pride in not only her work, but her dedication to the cosplay community. Kate believes there is room for everyone, and she truly means everyone, to be a cosplayer in their own way.
Andromeda’s Alchemy on Facebook and Instagram.
You can see previous years’ online entries here.
Geek/Art CONfluence 