1. Shoes are required at all times while in the public areas of the conventions center. Even if a cosplay character goes barefoot, the cosplayer must wear shoes.
2. Costumes and daily wear shall not expose the body in such a way as to be deemed indecent exposure.
3. All costumes worn within the convention center must fit through a standard doorway. Any attendee wearing a bulky costume, or one with poor visibility, should have a handler available to escort him/her. In addition, please ensure any bulky costume is properly ventilated to prevent heat stroke.
4. Any metal items used for cosplays are not allowed to have sharp or pointed edges that could potentially cause injury. Real swords, bats, etc. are not allowed. A safer material substitute is an alternate option.
5. No costume or prop may generate odor, smoke, or fog.
6. Cosplay props are to be checked in with security at the registration area before they will be allowed in the convention area.
7. All props must be non-working and peace bonded. Security will peace-bind any props, and attendees will assume responsibility that they have read this policy and agree to follow the rules as outlined in it.
8. Any violation of a peace-bind will result in an immediate loss of prop privileges.
9. No functioning projectile props.
10. If security deems a prop dangerous or harmful it will not be allowed. This will be decided on a case by case basis.
11. Attendees will not brandish, point, flail, play-fight, run with, or use their prop in any kind of threatening manner.
12. Inappropriate conduct with any camera (video or photo) will be grounds for removal of convention privileges, up to and including revocation without a refund.
13. If you want to take a photo of a cosplayer, it’s proper form to ask first. Most will be happy to oblige and pose fiercely.
14. These rules may be modified as needed to help protect the safety of all attendees.
15. Most importantly…
A. Have fun.
B. Don’t be a jerk.
HOW TO ENTER
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Sign Up at Briumbra Photography’s Booth from beginning when the floor opens at 10am.
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Each category (Youth, Masquerade, & Craftsmanship) has a maximum number of entrants; once that limit is reached, we can accept no more submissions.
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The absolute cut off for entering is 1:30 PM or when the maximum has been reached.
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We highly advise that you arrive early on the day of the show and proceed directly to the Briumbra Photography booth to register.
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YOU MUST BE IN COSTUME TO ENTER. Your photo will be taken for judging purposes; there is no charge to enter. You may only enter in one contest category.
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All costumes must adhere to the Cosplay Rules. Any costume not adhering to the rules will not be allowed to enter the contest. Please contact us beforehand if you have any specific questions.
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All contestants will receive a number assigned to their category. This will be used to determine lineup order during the stage walk of the competition.
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If for some reason you need to drop from the competition please let Briumbra Photography know as soon as possible.
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All costume contests are held on the Main Stage on Saturday at 5pm.
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Entrants should arrive for line up at 4:30 pm at the designated area, no matter which category they signed up for.
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Crew will be on hand to make sure you are in the correct line. Please pay attention to all signage.
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The order of categories are Youth, Masquerade, Craftsmanship.
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You must be registered to enter. Please do not attempt to participate without having submitted an entry at Briumbra Photography.
THE CATEGORIES
Youth:
A fun and pressure-free way for kids to show off their cosplays on stage regardless of where it’s from or how it was made!
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Ages 12 & Under (Contestants must be accompanied by an adult at sign-up)
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Maximum of 30 entrants
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Awards:
Top 3
Masquerade:
A fun and pressure-free way to show off your cosplay on stage regardless of where it’s from or how it was made!
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Ages 13 & Up
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Maximum of 40 entrants
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Awards:
Best Overall
Best Group
Fan Favorite
Craftsmanship:
Entries are judged on the craftsmanship (design, construction, execution, and general presentation) of a costume:
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All ages
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Maximum of 30 entrants
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Awards:
Best in Show
Best in Class (Best Armor or Best Needlework)
Best Prop
Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest Rules & Guidelines (Updated for 2026)
Participant must have handcrafted the percentage listed for their division under the “Skill Divisions” section to participate in the Craftsmanship Competition.
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To calculate what percentage was handmade, look at how many pieces of the costume were handmade and determine how much that makes up of the overall costume.
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Keep in mind when calculating the percentage that modified items do not count fully towards the handmade percentage. These would be considered half of what the piece would have been if fully handmade.
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If there are questions regarding the total percentage made, speak with the cosplay judges prior to entering the Craftsmanship Contest.
Costumes that have won a major award in any other costume contest are not permitted. This includes Best in Show, Best Novice, Best Journeyman, or Best Masters.
All costumes must adhere to the Cosplay Rules listed on the convention website. Any costume not adhering to the rules will not be allowed to enter the contest. Please contact VXV beforehand if you have specific questions.
Closet cosplays do not qualify for the Craftsmanship category.
Purchased or commissioned costumes (or anything considered not original work) do not qualify for the craftsmanship category.
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If a participant indicates to judges that they made a costume and the judges or VXV staff are made aware this is inaccurate, the contestant will be disqualified.
The costume’s creator(s) may have a model wearing the costume for the contest. In these cases, the creator(s) must be present for prejudging, must be the owner of the costume, and would be credited for any awards (not the model).
Build books outlining the creative process in building the cosplay are HIGHLY recommended but not required. These should be brought with you to prejudging and left with the judges It’s recommended for build books are printed and include progress photos which are clear and in color.
A reference photo of the character is required. Participants may show the judges the reference photo on their phones. In instances where the cosplayer is portraying an Original Character (OC), they should provide the judges with some type of basic description/outline of the character for comparison.
The Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest will be divided into two skill divisions. A contestant may always choose to compete in a higher division, but they may not choose to compete in a lower division than they are qualified for. Professional costumers (defined as anyone who earns revenue from making costumes) must enter the Advanced division.
The Judges retain the right to make the final decision on the placement of a contestant.
Skill Divisions: Major Awards affect Division Placement
Novice
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The Novice division is for those who are new to costuming and have not won or placed in a cosplay contest.
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At least 50% of the costume must be made/modified by the participant.
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If the participant has competed and won in an Advanced division in any cosplay competition, they cannot enter Novice.
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If participant enters the Novice division and the convention is made aware of a previous win in an Advanced division, the participant will be disqualified.
Advanced
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The Advanced division is for costumers who have won or placed in 1 or more cosplay contests.
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The Advanced division is also for costumers who may not have competed before but have been working at their craft for 1 year or more.
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At least 60% of the costume must be made/modified by the participant.
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Professional Costumers must enter the Advanced division.
A child wearing a costume built entirely by an adult should be entered either in the adult's appropriate skill division or entered in the Masquerade Contest. If the costume is made entirely by the child (12 and under), they can either enter the appropriate skill division, Youth Cosplay Competition, or Masquerade.
Group Entries
Groups may enter the Craftsmanship Contest if every costume worn by the members of the group have been made by at least one member of the group. The division entered must be that of the highest ranked group member and the handmade percentage of each costume must meet the division qualification. Groups are scored as a team and share one prejudging timeslot so plan accordingly. Having one group member in a commissioned costume will make the group ineligible to compete in the Craftsmanship contest.
Craftsmanship groups are eligible to win “Best in Show” but not a division award due to the range of skills which may be in the group. To be eligible for “Best Group,” the group would need to participate in the Masquerade Contest instead of Craftsmanship.
Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest Registration and Prejudging Times
The Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest is limited to a TOTAL of 30 entrants. Registration for the Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest will begin on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. and end at 1:30 or when the maximum has been reached. Once the category has been filled, we cannot accept additional submissions. It’s highly recommended that participants arrive EARLY on Saturday and proceed directly to Briumbra Photography to register.
Participants are required to be in costume at the time of registration. Briumbra Photography will take a photo of the participant as part of the registration process. There is no charge to enter the contest.
During the registration process, participants will be provided with an entry slip that has their entry number and prejudging time slot. This will be used to determine lineup order during the stage walk of the competition so be sure to hold onto this. If you are unable to attend prejudging or the stage walk and need to drop out of the contest, please let Briumbra Photography know as soon as possible. Contestants must walk on stage (or in front of the stage in instances of “larger than life” costumes) to be eligible for an award.
Craftsmanship participants are REQUIRED to attend their assigned prejudging time slot. During prejudging, each participant will have 3 minutes to discuss the details and creative process one on one with the judges. If a contestant misses their assigned time slot, we will try to reschedule to accommodate as time permits. If a craftsmanship contestant does not attend prejudging, they will not be eligible for any awards.
All Cosplay Contests will take place on the Main Stage on Saturday at 5:00 P.M. Entrants should arrive to line up at 4:30 P.M. at the assigned location. VXV Crew will be on hand to make sure you are in the correct line. Please pay attention to all signage.
Judging Criteria
VXV uses a set of criteria to fairly assess the craftsmanship of each contestant. Judges will rate contestants based off the following criteria:
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Design: This evaluates the contestant’s ability to select an appropriate style, cut, and pattern for their costume.
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Materials: This evaluates the contestant’s ability to select an appropriate fabric, color, trim, etc. for their costume. This also assesses the use of technically challenging materials.
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Technical Skills: This evaluates the contestant’s ability to assemble the costume. This includes seam finishing, stitching, and overall neatness of the costume. This also assesses the technical skills used and the execution of each skill.
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Fit & Movement: This evaluates how well the costume fits the contestant. This includes the appropriateness of the fit, how well it hangs from the body, and how well the fabric moves on the body.
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Headwear & Wig Construction: This evaluates the appropriateness of the choice of hairstyle or headwear of the contestant. Hairstyling is evaluated for neatness and appropriateness for the costume, which includes styling and coloring. Headwear, including hats, helmets, and bonnets, are evaluated on their construction or alteration.
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Footwear: This evaluates the appropriateness of the choice of footwear of the contestant.
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Props & Accessories: This evaluates the appropriateness of the choice of props and accessories by the contestant. This includes any weaponry, non-fabric additions to the costumes (armor), belts, gauntlets, breastplates, and jewelry. This also assesses the contestants use of premade/self-drafted templates and 3-D models. If the contestant makes their own 3-D model, evidence of such must be outlined in their build book.
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Overall Appearance: This evaluates the overall finished look of the entire costume, including all elements (props and accessories, wigs, footwear, and any other element of the costume). This category also evaluates the completeness of the costume.
On Stage Rules
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No skits.
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Do not incorporate a member of the judging panel in stage performances unless you’ve spoken with the judge in advance and they have consented.
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No profanity allowed on stage. That includes messages on signs or clothes. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition.
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No political or religious statements. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition.
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Do not use any sort of projectile. Nothing must leave your person while you are on stage. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.
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No flashpots, explosive devices, smoke/fog emitters, or similar special effects are to be used. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.
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All prop weapons must conform to the stated Weapons Policy.
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Costumes must be self-contained. · Do not enter or exit the stage except at the designated points.
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Large elaborate costumes must be handled by the contestant and/or assistants the contestant brings to help.
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Be aware of how large props are and do not hit the judges with such while on stage.
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Craftsmanship Contest Awards: Both Major and Minor awards will be awarded. Minor Awards will be awarded at the discretion of the judging panel and will vary based on entries.
Major Awards (Affect future division placement)
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Best in Show
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Best Novice
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Best Advanced
After the Contest
Build books must be retrieved from the judges immediately after the costume contest is over. Any build books not picked up after the costume contest will be discarded.
Contestants may request feedback from the judges on their costume after the competition (as time allows) or by visiting the judges’ booths on Sunday.