2024 Online Sign-ups are not open yet.
Attendees may sign up at the convention on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Rules
The following criteria must be met to avoid disqualification:
- OokiiSoraCon reserves the right to disallow any contestants based on appropriateness of costume; please remember that OokiiSoraCon is a family-friendly convention. If it’s too revealing for the pool, it’s too revealing here. OokiiSoraCon staff has the final say on all entries.
- All special effects must be pre-approved by OokiiSoraCon staff before the day of the contest. Please surprise the audience, not the staff. Any electrical effects must be self-powered. OokiiSoraCon retains the right to disallow any prop for any reason.
- Any prop or weapon must have passed inspection and be approved by Security and peace bonded appropriately. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
- Contestants are allowed to bring props within reason. Entrants must leave the stage as clean as it was when they first walked on it. Glitter, confetti, silly string, etc. will not be allowed on stage.
- Absolutely no flame or pyrotechnical props are permitted due to fire regulations. OokiiSoraCon’s primary concern is public safety.
- OokiiSoraCon can accept basic lighting requests (e.g. turning the lights down or off).
Contest Registration Cut-Off Date
Online sign-ups for the Costume Contest will close June 30, 2023, @ 11:59 pm, or when all slots are filled. There will be at-con sign-ups available for the Presentation category only until July 7, 2023, @ 11:59 pm, or until all slots are filled.
References
As Judges are not always familiar with every character from every show, manga, or game, it is highly encouraged that you provide a photo or drawing of the source of your costume with your entry.
Documentation must be uploaded into an online folder prior to the convention. This includes reference photos and progress shots. Please share a link to your folder in your submission form and make sure they are public so we can see them. Please make sure you have these references uploaded by July 7, 2023 @ 11:59 pm. If you have a physical build book this will be accepted as well on the day of judging.
Other Documentation Requirements: All entrants MUST fill out an entry application. There will be no exceptions or last-minute entries allowed.
Prop Policy
Weapons that are deemed unfit for OokiiSoraCon, if required for the costume contest, must adhere to our prop policy.
We reserve the right to confiscate and revoke your ability to use the prop within the costume contest at any time should our policy not be adhered to.
This does not apply to live firearms, weapons with projectiles, or real-bladed weapons. Any prop that falls under this category will result in action from OokiiSoraCon staff.
Check-In
Check-in for the contest at OokiiSoraCon is mandatory to confirm your participation. Check-in times and location will be emailed to all registered participants prior to the contest.
- Check-in must be concluded within the assigned time frame.
- You do not have to be in costume to check-in.
- Contestant appearance orders will be confirmed at this time.
- Contestants will get 5-8 minutes to present their costumes to the judges. Groups will be allowed 8-10 minutes.
Contest
All contestants are required to appear on stage. Contestants will be lined up as per their assigned order determined at check-in. Each individual entry will have a maximum of 60 seconds of stage time and each group will have 90 seconds.
Please notify the costume contest director when you register if you require an assistant for larger costumes. To respect other contestants and their costumes, we also request that no animals be brought into the green room prior to going on stage unless it is a registered service animal.
Contestants are to arrive at the green room in costume. Please, no sewing, gluing, spray painting, soldering, or use of heavy perfumes in the green room. If an emergency repair is needed, please contact the contest director.
What to expect on stage:
- The emcee will read the submitted introduction as each contestant approaches the stage.
- The OokiiSoraCon staff will provide audio for the walk-on performances.
- Walk-on contestants, be prepared to field a question from the judges about your costume or character.
- There are microphones available to answer the judge’s questions.
- Contestants who will perform to specific music or pre-recorded dialogue must include the track in MP3 format with their contest submission. The track must be edited to fit within the allotted appearance times. MUSIC MUST BE CUT TO LENGTH AND INCLUDED IN THE SUBMISSION FOLDER. CON STAFF WILL NOT DOWNLOAD OR CUT YOUR MUSIC FOR YOU.
Costume Contest Divisions*
To ensure that all contestants are judged fairly, we have split registration into skill divisions. Please ensure that you select your appropriate category when registering for the contest. Group entries must state the level of their most experienced member. The judges and costume team reserve the right to bump contestants into a higher skill level.
Divisions are as follows:
Youth – Must be UNDER 13 years of age
- Entrants are 12 years of age or younger.
- A youth wearing a costume designed and built entirely by an adult should be entered into the adult’s appropriate skill division.
Presentation – Purchased costumes only
- Over 90% of the costume was not made by the contestant.
- The entry will be judged on the contestant’s representation of the character.
- Commissioned costumes may also be presented here.
Novice – Entry Level Costumer, have not yet won an award in a costume contest. Professional Costumers** may not enter the Novice division. We suggest you enter this division if:
- Entrants are 13 years of age or older.
- The entrant has never entered a contest.
- The entrant has NOT won an award in any costume competition at the adult level.
- Costumer has pieced together costume, over 50% of the costume is a purchased piece (professionally made, bought online, etc.).
Journeyman – Mid-Level Costumer, has won less than 3 awards. Professional costumers** may not enter the Journeyman division. We suggest you enter this division if:
- Entrants are 13 years of age or older.
- The entrant has won one (1) but less than three (3) awards in an adult competition such as First Place, Judges Choice, Best Craftsmanship, etc.
- The entrant has NOT won a “Best in Show” or “Best in Class” award at the Journeyman level.
- The entrant has NOT won any awards, including Runner Up or Honourable Mention, at the Master level.
- The entrant may be a Novice who wishes to compete as a Journeyman.
Master – Primarily for advanced costumers and professionals** in the costuming field. We suggest you enter this division if:
- Entrants are 13 years of age or older.
- Entrants have won three (3) or more awards in adult competition.
- Entrants have won a “Best in Show” or “Best in Class” award at the Journeyman level.
- Entrants have won ANY award at the Master level.
- Any costumer regardless of experience or past awards who wishes to compete as a Master.
Group
- Entrants may be of any age
- Costumes may be purchased, commissioned, or made.
- Groups will be judged based on the highest-level costumer.
* OokiiSoraCon reserves the right to combine or split skill divisions as required for any reason and without notice to meet the needs of the competition.
** A Professional Costumer is defined as any individual who is hired for pay on a part-time or full-time basis to create costumes for any kind of studio or theatrical organization OR who obtains more than 25% of their yearly income through commissioned costumes for other individuals.
Original Design
- Entrants may be of any age
- This should be an original design envisioned by the entrant. Cosplays of another’s artwork or designs are considered as part of the craftsmanship category. (Such as a cosplay of art by Hannah Alexander)
- This category will be judged based on creativity of design and how well the entrant executed their vision rather than accuracy.
The Fine Print
The Costume Contest director or representative of OokiiSoraCon both have full authority to eliminate anyone from the competition on the grounds of unsportsmanlike conduct witnessed backstage, violation of the rules, or any other reason deemed sufficient. There is no appeal. Arguing with the director or representative may result in further action taken, such as a lifetime ban on participating in any future OokiiSoraCon Costume Contests.
Contestants are expected to obey all local, provincial, and federal laws and bylaws governing OokiiSoraCon and the venue location. Those who do not comply will be removed from the premises and their badge may be revoked without prior warning. If the nature of the infraction is severe, the proper authorities will be contacted.