Welcome to the Vincon 2023 Cosplay Contest! Every year is a new contest so be sure to brush up on all the rules before your submission. Happy cosplay!
WHEN IS IT?
DATE: Saturday Oct 14th
PRE-JUDGING: 1:30PM – 3:30PM
CONTEST: 4:30PM
GENERAL RULES
Please only enter if at least part of your cosplay was handcrafted. If you did not personally create your cosplay, let us know who did so we can give them proper credit! You may be disqualified if it is discovered your cosplay is store bought or pre-made in any other way undisclosed. We want to be fair to the contestants who have worked so hard creating their own cosplays! Child cosplays may disregard this rule.
- Cosplay character restrictions have been lifted this year!
- 50 walk-on slots are available.
- Participants may enter as groups but group participants may not also enter as solo.
- You may have a max of 4 people in a group.
- Slots are first come first serve so register online to secure your placement! On sight entry will be granted if space allows.
- Audio submissions are now allowed and must be submitted online
- Audio submissions can be no longer than 45 seconds and are restricted to PG rated.
- You must check in Saturday between 1:30PM and 3:30PM for pre-judging to avoid docking of points.
CATEGORIES
If the judges believe a contestant has entered the wrong category, that contestant will be moved to the more appropriate category.
- Advanced: Competed in other contests before OR majority of cosplay is handcrafted.
- Casuals: New to competing OR majority of cosplay is NOT hand crafted.
- Kids: Entries age 10 and under.
WEAPONS POLICY
Real weapons are not allowed under any circumstances! All prop weapons must be approved and marked at the door and adhere to the guidelines listed below. The Vincon staff reserves the right to confiscate any prop being used to harm another attendee or damage property.
- Gun props must be capped with orange tips.
- Airsoft and paintball guns are not allowed.
- Metal weapon props are not allowed.
- Wooden weapon props longer or wider than 12″ must be coated in foam.
- Bows must be unstrung at all times and arrow tips must be dull.
AWARDS
Awards will be announced closer to the event and will be based on the number of contestants that enter.
HOW TO ENTER
Follow the link below and fill out your application to enter the Vincon 2023 Cosplay Contest! The deadline for online registration is October 13th, but you can register at the event on Saturday if you miss it. Don’t forget to press “SEND” when you’re finished! Thank you for entering!
MEET THE JUDGES!
Mothmuse
Mothmuse is VinCon’s veteran cosplayer and has helped run and judge the contest since the contest’s first year in 2017! They are very passionate about helping support the cosplay community and firmly believe that cosplay is for anyone no matter age, skill level, gender, race, etc. Moth’s skills lay primarily in sewing/needlework, wig styling and painting.
Photos by Fabled Focus & Yuki Cat Captures
Personify Cosplay
Personify Cosplay is an award-winning Colorado cosplayer who has been cosplaying since 2015. When they first began, the word “cosplay” had not come across their vocabulary but they knew that they loved this method of self-expression as soon as they donned their first costume. Once they started attending more conventions, they quickly developed a love and passion for the artform. They have done over 100 cosplays in their cosplay career and have shown no signs of stopping anytime soon. Their goal in cosplay is to have fun and spread as much love and positivity as they can. Their strengths include sewing and 3D printing but are a jack of many trades within cosplay creation.
Photos by Capture Kitch & Lost Stars Imaging
EhManInBlack Cosplay
EhManInBlack first started cosplaying in the Fall of 2010 for Nan Desu Kan that year, which was their first convention. They’ve always enjoyed crafting, and this was a great outlet for working with their hands. Immediately they were drawn to prop-work, especially when it was a prop that was complex or large, so they could challenge themselves in the process of making it as accurate as possible while being feasible. Since then, they’ve done cosplays from multiple anime and video games, most recently making Ozymandias from Fate Grand Order. Their strengths in cosplay construction are prop work, painting, foam work and sewing.
Photos by Spectral Focus and Secr1t Studio
Calamity Nyx
Calamity Nyx started cosplaying 11 years ago, and her favorite part about every convention she has been to has been the amazing people she met along the way! She started making her own contest pieces a few years ago and it’s been one of the most amazing experiences for her. She has competed with cosplays such as Bennett from Genshin Impact, Rivet from Ratchet & Clank and Big Man from Splatoon 3. Her strengths in cosplay construction include fur and foam work.
Photos by Spectral Focus & Semetary Cosplay