The Insomnia Cosplay Championship – Rulesets

The Insomnia Cosplay Championship MAIN STAGE (Saturday 4pm-5pm)

It’s time we had the opportunity to wear the costumes we choose and have a platform that celebrates it! Costume and Play want to give you the opportunity to show off your costume skills, perform as your character and enjoy the community experience of costuming together.

How can I enter? The Cosplay Championship will be taking place at Insomnia Gaming Festival on Saturday. You can take part by using the signup form below. Please arrive at least half an hour before the competition is due to begin. If you have signed up online you will be sent a confirmation e-mail with all the details you need. We advise popping by the desk nice and early to check through your requirements. 

Championship Prizes

• Cash Prizes awarded after the event will be paid directly to you. Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing time after the event has finished for prizes to arrive.

• If you are under the age of 16 we may need to seek parental consent to award you a prize directly, we may request to send your prize to your parent/guardian in this event.

• Any size group may enter the Masquerade. However, if eligible for a prize, this will be split evenly between participants.

• Costume and Play handmade trophies are only awarded to first place winners. If the winner is a group, there will be one trophy only.

• All cosplayers will receive photography/video performances provided by Insomnia Gaming Festival. The time frame for these will vary.

• In the event the first place winner cannot attend or wishes to forfeit the Insomnia Invitation Prize the Insomnia Invitation Prize will be awarded to second place and so on.

• No cash or alternative prize for the Insomnia Invitation Prize will be offered should first place winner be unable to attend.

• No additional hotel places will be given to group entries of three or larger for the Insomnia Invitation Prize.

• No cash or alternative prize will be awarded in replacement of items such as (but not limited to) trophy, items, certificates, sponsor prizes etc.

• First place prize winners may only forfeit the Insomnia Invitation Prize once if they wish to re-enter following events, as opposed to accepting the prize.

• All other prizes such as cash and items may be kept by the first place winner if they are unable to attend the Insomnia Invitation Prize and event.

THE JUDGE’S DECISIONS ARE FINAL ONCE MADE.

Preparation before the masquerade

How will the competition be judged?

The inclusion of reference images and construction notes on your application will be viewed favourably with additional points awarded towards your overall score.

Craftsmanship 40%

This category focuses on the quality of a costume and its accompanying props and accessories. How well these elements are made or finished.

Performance 40%

Takes into account the use of general performance conventions and how you interact with the audience. For example; confident movements as well as general stage techniques used throughout the performance.

Character Concept 5%

This category is judged based on execution of your character concept and a clear display of character choice. Be it accuracy to a character, a creative interpretation (e.g Steampunk Harley Quinn or cross play) or a character likeness.

Cosplay Portfolio 15%

This category is judged based on the level of detail you include within your application form, such as a break-down of materials, techniques used and reference pictures. Construction photos and notes carry the highest weighting in this category.

Who can enter and what are the general rules?

The Costume Element

• Costumes from any genre of video game, television, film, book, anime, manga etc. may enter the Masquerade.
• A costume qualifies as handmade if it is 80% your own work. We ask that you provide detail on your application form to explain how your costume was made. The application form acts as a framework for you to provide this information. It is highly advisable you include construction photos and reference pictures for your application.

• Portfolios and additional information must be attached to your email as either a PDF, Word, Powerpoint or standard image files.

• All applications will be checked over by the Insomnia Cosplay Team, this will not influence any judges decisions and you will be notified for competition conformation. Please make sure to bring a spare copy of your cosplay portfolio on the day.

• Any size group may enter the Masquerade. However, if eligible for a prize, this will be split evenly between participants.
• The competition is open for all ages, but if you are under the age of 13 please make sure to get parental consent.
• A small selection of places will be open to those who wish to present either a costume containing specific handmade components and/or a performance piece. It will be up to the discretion of the cosplay team to allow these entrants and you will be informed if you are eligible to qualify for a prize, dependant on your entry. (Basically, if you are worried about qualifying for the 80% drop us an email anyway and we’ll advise you!)

The Performance Element

• The following elements may be included within your performance – Lighting choice, props, set, sound and microphone use. This is broken down on your application form to include. Performance details and requirements should be written on your application form. Any requirements and/or skilled performances need to be reviewed within good time before the show. Your choices within this field will be taken into consideration for judging. Please email us if you have any queries.
• Performances/Skits must be no longer than two minutes in length. Please state the length of your skit time or if you are posing on your application form.
• We highly advise you to visit the cosplay desk no later than two hours before the event is due to start to check through your requirements. If you do not visit the desk, your requirements for your performance may be refused.
• Arrive at the designated area ready NO LATER THAN half an hour before the masquerade is due to start.
• We ask you to fully fill out your application form. This includes confirming any music cues, performance requests and medical conditions.

Weapons and props must be approved by venue security staff before it’s allowed into the convention. This may include checks which will be carried out by the cosplay team. Decisions made by the venue security and staff are final and these rules serve as a guide only.

General Props Ruleset

The general rule is;

‘If you were hit with the prop, would it break before you do?’

If your answer is ‘no’ then it means that someone could get hurt were this to happen. In which case, we would recommend you leave it at home just so you are not disappointed.

• When outside of the convention hall, please make sure you have a safe way to transport your props and that they are sufficiently covered. Take extra precaution when travelling through high traffic areas such as the airport and railway stations, so as not to cause alarm or issue to others.
• Live weapons (deactivated guns, Airsoft, metal knives, swords, axes, live bows or slingshots, bokken, hanbo) are expressly prohibited, whether sheathed or piece bonded.
• No pyrotechnics, gas canisters, explosives (including cap-guns) or incendiary items.
• No weapons that can fire any sort of projectile, including foam darts or water. Unless it can be shown to be empty, with a visible brightly coloured safety tip and/or that only some parts have been used for the prop.
• No sharp points, protruding points or sharp edges, make sure they’re sanded, rounded, padded, covered or otherwise protected adequately.
• Props made out of wood cannot be too heavy, large or unwieldy (I.e blocks corridors/doorways or is likely to hit, hurt or inconvenience others.)
• You cannot perform any action which may lead event staff, attendees or members of the general public to believe you are in possession of a real live weapon.
• In all cases, the weapon or prop must be no longer than 1.6 m (5’2”).
• Large elements, such as wings, exceeding over two meters, must be collapsed when on the convention floor. (Please contact us to check if you are worried about your costume dimensions at cosplay@costumeandplay.co.uk)

NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDLESS OF ANY SPECIAL LICENCES, TRAINING OR MEMBERSHIPS!

Please be aware that that these rules are here to ensure we have a safe event for both staff and attendees. If you have been asked to put your prop away, please do so. In an extreme case you may be escorted from the event.

If there is any doubt, please send photos and a description of the prop to cosplay@costumeandplay.co.uk.

Masquerade Ruleset

• Costumes must be appropriate for a family friendly convention and include enough body coverage to be worn in public.
• All entrants must have a spare copy of their masquerade music track on USB/CD.
• All entrants are required to bring a spare copy of their portfolio on the day, if you are having issues printing this please notify us so we can make sure that the judges have your portfolio.
• Under the grounds of fairness, we ask that if you have gained free entry to the show via a pass such as exhibitor, we ask that you purchase a ticket for the date of the championship masquerade. You may be asked to present this ticket for inspection at the cosplay desk.
• Costumes entered that were used in the Championship who also wish to enter the community masquerade may be put on a waiting list for the Community if we are getting full. We will let you know in the unlikely event this may happen and will give as much notice as possible should you get a space.
• Under the grounds of fairness, if you have placed within the championship please be aware that you will not be able to place top three a second time within the community masquerade.
• We reserve the right to decline or stop a skit/performance at any time for any reason.
• Use or performance of the following will be immediately stopped and you may be disqualified from the competition or convention floor:

• Excessive/inappropriate language such as swearing.
• Committing an act which is viewed as something which may potentially harm yourself or others.

• You agree to be filmed and photographed during the event, all rights of this belong to the event organizers and/or Costume and Play.
• Costume and Play and any staff, venue or organiser reserves the right to change or revise these rulesets at any time.