Cosplay Contest Rules

The New World Comic Con Cosplay Contest will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 4 p.m. Registration ends at 2 p.m.

All costumes must adhere to New World Comic Con regular dress code and weapons policies including:

This is a family friendly convention; there will be children present. Swimsuit areas must be covered at all times.

Be sure your costume or outfit has opaque/non-sheer material over the swimsuit areas for both male and females.

If you are not covered properly, you will be asked to change.

Body paint is allowed, but you must have a functioning top (for females) and bottom (for males and females) that covers the bikini area for females and modest Speedos for males. Thongs are not allowed.

Only one entry. Contestants may enter their age class or in a group, but not both categories.

New World Comic Con has the authority to remove anyone from the competition for contest rules violations, convention policy violations, rude, dangerous or harassing behavior.

If a costume is being worn by a model and not the creator, the creator will receive the award.

All electronics must be self-contained. No connections to the audio/visual equipment will be made. No music requests, please.

No open flames, pyrotechnics, or fireworks allowed.

Contestants agree to allow video recording and photographs of themselves for future NWCC promotion.

You may not enter a costume that has previously won Best in Show or first place at another Con.

All props must be approved and tagged by weapons check prior to entry.

Contest Categories

Craftsmanship: Contestants should make at least 50% of their costumes.

Kids (0-12): Contestants must be under 12 years old to enter. The child entering must have a parent or guardian (18+) accompanying them at ALL TIMES. The child entering should make a majority of their costume. We want to promote the creativity and love of costume making of the young padawans! Parents, guardians, siblings and friends of course can help out with construction, but should not fully construct the costume for the child.

Teens (13-17): Contestants must be 13-17 on the day on NWCC 2023. Participants entering this category must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (18+) to the convention.

Adult (18+): Contestants have to be at least 18 years of age on the day of NWCC 2023 to enter into the Adult category.

Masquerade Category: All-Ages category for participants that want to strut their stuff! This category is for those contestants who might have bought their costume or just want to walk across the stage. Bought costumes includes commission based costumes, store bought costumes, or costumes bought online through outlets such as Amazon or Ebay or online Cosplay stores, such as EzCosplay or SIMCosplay, etc. If your costume is more than 50% bought, your costume falls under this category.

Cosplay Contest Awards

Each craftsmanship category (Kids, Teens, and Adults) will each have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize.
Best in Show for top contestant out of all of the craftsmanship categories.
The walk-on and bought category contestants will be eligible for a Best Stage Presentation award.
Judges Choice Awards, one from each judge from any category.

Pre-Judging

Pre-judging will take place before the contest at 3:00 p.m. Please be by the main stage area at 2:55 for line up.
During Pre-judging, the Judges will individually look at your costume and ask questions regarding its construction. You may provide reference photos at this time. You are welcome to print these or show them to the judges on your phone. You are welcome to mention specifics about the costume, such as the materials, time spent, or its construction.

FAQ:

Can I enter the contest if I didn’t make my costume? Yes! All costumes are welcome to compete in the contest. If your costume is 50% or more bought, then please enter our Masquerade category!

What if I commissioned my costume? Please enter into our Masquerade category!

What awards are in the contest? There is a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place award in every craftsmanship category. Best Stage Presence for best Walk-On contestant. As well as judges’ choice awards, one from each judge!

What will prejudging be like? What time is it? Where is it located? During Pre-judging, the Judges will individually look at your costume and ask questions regarding its construction. You may provide reference photos at this time. You are welcome to print these or show them to the judges on your phone. You are welcome to mention specifics about the costume, such as the materials, time spent, or its construction.

What if I want to walk on stage, but not compete in the contest? That’s fine! Notify the judges you’re just a walk on during pre-judging.

When is the latest I can sign up for the contest? You can sign up at the convention until 2:00 PM

Can I enter as a group? You may walk on stage together, but each person will be judged and awarded on an individual basis.

Can I win more than one award? No, each contestant may only win one award.

If I already won an award with the costume I want to enter, can I enter it again? If your costume has won an Best in Show or 1st place at any other convention or competition, you are not allowed to enter your costume into the NWCC 2023 Costume Contest. If you have won a Judges Choice or any other award other than Best in Show or 1st place, you may enter it again. Contestants found violating this rule will be have all awards and placement revoked.

Cosplay Contest Judges:

BFG Cosplay
Susie_Creates_Cosplay
Goldenreliic
Sith Princess
Okieviking Cosplay
Stellae Cosplay