Thanks for your interest in the annual Midwest GameFest Cosplay Contest! Needless to say, cosplayers and gamers have a lot in common, and we seek to strengthen those bonds with our annual contest.
Sign-Ups
We have a limited number of spots. Registration for the cosplay contest will continue until spots are full or at Saturday at 5pm, whichever comes first.
Note: The cosplay pre-judging and contest will be held on the stage in the Earth room. Look for a map in your convention program or ask a volunteer for directions if needed. Someone will be available at the registration desk to assist you.
Prizes
Midwest GameFest is offering cash prizes for the Best in Show, Best Beginner, and Best Advanced, as decided by our judges, as well as certificates for a number of other categories. Winners must be present to receive their award.
Judges
Heather Anderson, Erica Rainae, and Erica Williams will be judging our cosplay contest for 2019. Each is a gifted cosplayer and we would like to thank them for their generosity and help with judging.
Heather Anderson
Photo courtesy Pense Productions
Heather Anderson of Lothlorien Woods Cosplay is originally from Indianapolis but has lived in the KC area for the past few years. She first started cosplaying in 2008 at her first Gencon. She prides herself in creating fun cosplays on a tight budget, usually creating at least one new cosplay a year.
Erica Rainae
Photo courtesy Erica Rainae Cosplay
Erica Rainae is a self-taught designer of cosplays and costumes. She has been working on costumes for over 20 years and loves taking on challenges. She enjoys being pushed to think outside the norms and loves mashups and expressive costumes. Check out her work at Erica Rainae Cosplay.
Erica Williams
Photo courtesy Red-E Cosplay
Erica Williams is an advocate for mental wellness and suicide prevention, cosplayer with Red-E Cosplay, storyteller, fashion time-traveler, tutu-wearer, and creative weirdo. She has started The Mental, a Potter-inspired mental wellness community, and she is a co-founder and team member for Cosplay for Hope.
Contest Rules
There are really very few rules this year... except to have fun! This year's contest is casual and while we encourage people to create their cosplays and display their craftsmanship, we want every type of cosplayer to feel like they have something to offer even if they are not cosplay crafters. Whether you make everything from scratch, piece stuff together from the thrift store, or purchase your costume from the local costume shop, you are all encouraged to enter our cosplay contest. Everyone will have a fair chance to win something. Along with our regular contest on Sat, we will be giving out some special cosplay reward ribbons througout the weekend.
All cosplay contestants must follow our standard Cosplay Policy in addition to the following:
Requirements
- Contestants must have a weekend or Saturday badge in their name. These can be purchased at the event or online.
- Contestants must submit a Contest Entry Form.
- Contestants must be 13 years or older to enter.
- If under 16, contestants must have a legal guardian present.
- If under 18, contestants must have parental permission to enter.
- Cosplays can be from any genre: anime, books, comics, games, movies, etc.
- Cosplays must pass the weapons check.
Restrictions
- Cosplays will have a maximum of one minute on stage and runway.
- Cosplays can contain no more than three (3) people per group unless approved by the judges.
- Contestants must alert the cosplay judges beforehand if you are going to say or do anything out of the ordinary on stage.
- Contestants may not make religious, political or any other demonstrations that could offend others.
- Contestants must avoid danger to themselves of others. No throwing objects. No fire. No confetti. No fog machines. No Nerf bullets. No shooting or launching objects.
Stage Rules
- When on stage contestants will use a three-point system for poses.
- Contestants may not throw anything to the audience.
- Contestants may not say or yell anything offensive.
- Contestants must remove anything they take on stage with them.
Judging
- Judges will be both male and female and will be experienced, well-rounded cosplay guests. Each will have years of experience to help judge fairly.
- Judges highly recommended that contestants bring photos of their character as well as work-in-progress photos.
- Cosplays will be judged on accuracy, craftsmanship, stage presence as well as other factors.
- Judges will try to give feedback if requested. Feedback may be both negative (e.g. what could be worked on) and/or positive. They may even have some tips to help the contestant next time around.
- Contestants will be split into either Beginner or Advanced categories based on skill level. If we have enough entered we may add an Intermediate category.
Note: The more entries we have, the more categories and awards will be available. This is so that the ratio of entries to awards stays the same and so that everyone has a fair chance to win an award.
Schedule for Cosplayers
- Contestants will need to sign up or check in by 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
- The contest will happen between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.. You will need to get there beforehand for practice.
- Awards will happen after the cosplay contest.
- Times
- 5:00pm pre-judging at stage
- 5:30pm-6:30pm contest
- 6:30pm parade to Elements Ballroom
- 7:00pm announce winners and award certs
General
- Our cosplay staff has the right to disqualify anyone for any reason.
- We reserve the right to add modify rules as necessary.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about your cosplay, email our Cosplay Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..