The Masquerade is where members get to show off their skill in creating a costume of their favorite anime/game character.

Rules

1. All CosPlay participants must be members of AnimeFest 2009.
2. Mandatory Dress Rehearsal: 5pm-7pm
3. Forms will be available at the convention or you may bring your own. The forms will be taken from 7pm-9pm on Thursday. On Friday forms will be taken from 2pm-5pm.
4. No Costume is NO COSTUME. Please remember some of the attending fans are young so if you can't wear it to Grandma's you can't wear it here.
5. All costumes must pertain to Anime, Manga, J-Pop, J-Rock, or Video Games.
6. Please do not throw anything onto the stage or at the audience. We WILL make you clean it up and the Event Director WILL be grumpy about it. It could also get you removed from the convention.
7. No real weapons of any kind.
8. Music will be provided by the convention.
9. Each participant will have approximately 60 seconds on the stage.
10. You may have a group masquerade of up to 5 members; however, group masquerades have the same time as single participants.
11. You may do poses and actions but NO skits - skits are for the CosPlay.
12. The Masquerade staff may disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.
13. There will be a mandatory rehearsal the day of the CosPlay.
14. Consider bringing a picture of the character you are portraying to help the judges. They have seen a lot of anime, but no one has seen it all.
15. Pre-Judging will be done prior to the contest. BE ON TIME so the judges can look at your costume in detail.
16. There will be divisions when filling out the Masquerade form and they will be as follows (loosely based off ICG Guidelines):
    • Novice:
      • This novice category is intended for costumers with little or no prior experience making costumes and/or people with virtually no masquerade experience.
      • No member could have won more than one minor award or a major award at previous conventions.
    • Intermediate:
      • The intermediate category is intended for people with some experience making costumes and/or masquerade experience or having a few awards for costumes.
      • No member could have won more than three major awards at previous conventions.
    • Masters:
      • The master category is intended for people with some experience in making costumes and/or masquerade experience or having a few awards for costumes.
      • Anyone may register for this division.
    • If a Judge, Cosplay Manager, or Director feel that you should be placed in a higher division based off the craftsmanship and presentation of your costume, you may be initially moved to a different division in which you applied for.
17. Awards are as follows:
    • Best in Show: This is given to an exceptional entrant and can be a part of any division. This award determines that you are the best in the entire cosplay event, therefore you will not qualify to win any other awards. Only one will be given.
    • Creativity Award: Given to an entrant that shows exceptional use of materials and the creativity in using those materials. Any division can qualify for this award.
    • Best Prop: This award is given to an entrant that displays innovation and creativity in constructing their prop. Any division can qualify for this award.
    • Best Group: This is given to an entrant that has at least three members in their group. Craftsmanship and presentation are judged for this award. Any division can qualify.
    • First Place: This is given to an entrant that has show and exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation. Three of these awards will be given, one to each division.
    • Best Beginner: This is given to an entrant in the Novice division that displays great presentation and craftsmanship for a costuming beginner.
    • Judge's Awards: Granted by the judges for an entrant that they feel were exceptional. One is given to each division.

Please remember to use common sense. We want everyone to have a good time so please respect the rules and other players.

If you have any questions please contact cosplay @ animefest.org