The Cosplay Competition is an event where you get to show off your costuming skills and have a chance to compete against other cosplaying individuals!

Cosplay Competition

Cosplay Competition Sign-Up

Experts, Judged Groups, and Un-judged Groups are required to sign up online before the deadline. Beginners, Exhibition, and Children’s may sign up online or day of at the Cosplay Table.

Email

Name (If group, please list each member)

Name Pronunciation (If group, please list each member)

Age (If under 18. Groups list each individual name under the age of 18 and age)

Amount (%) made or altered (if group, list each costume individually)

Name and source of character (if group please list each character in order of members listed above)

Tell us about your costume (will you need assistance? if group, list each costume.)

Preferred judging times (groups go to one judging time together not individually)

Please link a reference photo or attach one below (if group, please add a link and include reference for each character.)

Upload File

By signing up, you agree to abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by the convention organizers.

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Children
(Not Judged)

This division is for anyone 12 and under. It will not be judged and thus will not be awarded prizes. Homemade and store-bought costumes are welcome. Applications for this section must be filled out by the contestant's parent/guardian.

Exhibition
(Not Judged)

You must be 13 or older and have either not made/altered any aspect of their costumes, or do not wish to be judged. This is your time to show off your costume to the entirety of the con without the added pressure of the competition! This section will not be judged and thus will not be awarded prizes.

Group
(Not Judged)

*MUST SIGN UP ONLINE BY (TBD) FOR JUDGED PORTION*

You must be 13 or older (with an exception for children under this age who have a an adult/guardian participating with them in the Unjudged portion of the Group Contest) and have each individually made 30% of your costume contributing to the Group Costume for the judged portion. In this section a group is considered two or more people with corresponding costumes within the same fandom they have created their costumes for. Printed references for each cosplay is encouraged but not required!

Beginner
(Judged)

You must be 13 or older and have made or altered at least 30% of your costume. This division is for cosplayers who are looking for a chance to compete in a more casual way while also showing off your skill. It is encouraged that you bring printed references for your cosplay but not required. Contestants are not allowed to enter costumes that have won more than one award at any conventions. They are also not allowed to enter costumes that have won any award here or at another convention.

Expert
(Judged)

*MUST SIGN UP ONLINE BY (TBD) FOR JUDGED PORTION* Online sign ups only

You must be 13 or older and have made or altered at least 70% of your costume. This section is for competitors who's skills who exceed the Beginner division and wish to face a more competitive lineup. Cosplayers in this section MUST bring reference photos and similar supplements to assist in judging (exp. Swatches, progress photos, sketches, ect.) Contestants are not allowed to enter costumes that have won more than one award at our convention or another convention.

BHC is now offering the first place winner of the Experts category the chance to come back the following year as a Guest Judge as well as a weekend pass for the convention upon agreeing to be a Guest Judge. If you have any questions, please read our FAQ at the bottom of the page or reach out to us via bhconcosplay@gmail.com

Group
(Judged)

*MUST SIGN UP ONLINE BY (TBD) FOR JUDGED PORTION*

You must be 13 or older (with an exception for children under this age who have a an adult/guardian participating with them in the Unjudged portion of the Group Contest) and have each individually made 30% of your costume contributing to the Group Costume for the judged portion. In this section a group is considered two or more people with corresponding costumes within the same fandom they have created their costumes for. Printed references for each cosplay is encouraged but not required!

Black Hills Con: Cosplay Competition Rules

All contestants must abide by Black Hills Con's policies found on our website under the POLICIES tab.
Contestants must follow given directions when interacting with Staff for Cosplay Contest
All who wish to signup must do so online before deadline or in person up until 2 hours prior to the competition itself.
Failure to arrive check-in time or judging time will result in disqualification.
All contestants must choose a category they qualify for, so please read our descriptions carefully! If there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to us through our email!
Contestants may be switched to a different category at judges/Head of cosplays discretion.
Any contestants found being dishonest in regards to any of our rules will face disqualification as well as the potential of being banned from future contests under Black Hills Con.
Beginners are required to schedule a judging time either via email or upon signing up day of at the Cosplay Table. Experts and Judged Groups are required to schedule a judging time via email upon online sign up.
Remember to HAVE FUN! While this is a contest, don't get down if you don't happen to win! We're all here to have fun and support one another!

BHC Cosplay Table Hours

Friday

Cosplay Table Opens (TBD)

Cosplay 101 (Hosted by Head of Cosplay: Jazmine)
Cosplay Table Closes

(During these times, attendees can register for our beginners category and unjudged categories of the cosplay contest. They can also sign up for cosplay chess.)

Saturday

Cosplay Table Opens/Judging Begins (TBD)

Cosplay Parade
Judging Times Close
Cosplay Table Closes
Cosplay Contest Rehearsal/Setup
Cosplay Contest

(During the times Cosplay Table is open, attendees can register for our beginners category and unjudged categories of the cosplay contest. They can also sign up for cosplay chess.)

Sunday

Cosplay Table Opens (TBD)

Cosplay Chess
Cosplay Table Closes

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at bhconcosplay@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your Cosplay question.

Which category should I sign up for?

Anyone 12 or younger will automatically be put into the CHILDREN category. For anyone 13 or over, it depends on the cosplay: If you don't want to compete or you made less than 30% of your cosplay, the EXHIBITION category is where you belong. If you made at least 30% of your costume, the BEGINNER category is your best bet. If you have made over 70% of your costume and you can provide a portfolio to the judges, then you want to sign up for the EXPERT category. If this sounds like you, don't forget that all expert entries are REQUIRED to sign up online.
Do I have to be judged?

No. Children are never judged, and the adults have a category called "Exhibition" where they can show off their costume without judging.
Do I have to make my own costume?

To qualify for a judged section (Beginner or Expert) you will have to have made or modified at least 30% of your costume. For Children or Exhibition categories, you don't have to make it yourself.
Do I need to sign up online?

All entries in the Expert category required to sign up online by required date. If you are entering the Beginners category a judging time slot is required and they are first come, first serve - that means signing up early might be a good idea.
Can I sign up at the convention?

Children, Exhibition, and Beginner entries are welcome to sign up in person at the convention if there is any space left. Expert entries are required to be entered online beforehand.
My costume Broke! What do I do?

If you just need to make repairs, we carry tools at the cosplay table to help and our Cosplay Contest Staff will be more than happy to help you to make repairs to the best of their abilities! If you think you can't fix it in time for the judging, rehearsal, or the competition, talk to the cosplay desk. We will work to adjust the schedule to give you extra time to fix it.
Can I perform a skit?

Sadly, we currently do not have a skit section during the Cosplay Competition.
Can I cancel/change my entry?

We understand that life is unexpected, so if something comes up or there is a change of plans, please get in contact with us at bhconcosplay@gmail.com so we can work around whatever is needed.
Can I bring a handler?

Handlers are more than welcome to guide their cosplayers during the contest.
What is a Guest Judge?

Those participating in the Experts category have the opportunity as a first place winner to come back the following year as a Guest Judge in BHC’s Cosplay Contest. This is a great opportunity to allow Experts to grow their skills as a cosplayer by seeing it from a judges perspective. They’ll gain new skills as well as being able to later on use that opportunity as a reference if they ever were to seek out being a cosplay judge elsewhere.
Do I have to be a Guest Judge if I Win First Place in Experts?

No! Being a Guest Judge is not a requirement upon winning first place in the Experts Category. It is simply an opportunity we are offering our cosplayers if they wish to seek it out. We will simply ask the runner up to first place and so on so forth. You will not however receive the weekend pass as that is provided to the Guest Judge to ensure they are able to attend the convention and be a judge.

Cosplay Competition

Cosplay Competition Sign-Up

Categories

Children (Not Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

Group (Not Judged)

Beginner (Judged)

Expert (Judged)

Group (Judged)