Thanks for your interest in the annual Midwest GameFest Online Cosplay Contest! Needless to say, cosplayers and gamers have a lot in common, and we seek to strengthen those bonds with our annual contest.
JUDGING IS NOW OVER
But you can still check out the winning entries, below, and at the Facebook Event.
Sign-Ups
Submission deadline is 12:00 PM CT Friday, March 11, 2022.
We will post the parade of pictures and videos Friday evening and announce our winners on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Facebook event and in the #cosplay-text Discord channel.
How to Participate
- Get a Badge
Participants must have a badge. Single-day badges are only $2, and discounts are available that can get it down to nothing. Get your badge here. - Sign-up to Participate
Let us know on the Facebook page that you'll be entering. We can connect with you that way and know to expect your submission. - Submit Your Cosplay.
Email your pics and videos and introductions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Online Convention Space
While our Fall in-person event is hosted in Kansas City, our Spring online event is hosted via Discord, a free text, audio, and video service. Discord is a web-based service that also has great desktop and mobile apps. You don't need anything more than the cell phone, tablet, or web browser you're using right now. There's nothing to download or hook up, but a mic and headset would be great. We use a number of online virtual tabletops (VTTs) including Roll20, Tabletop Simulator, and more (game hosts decide).
Prizes
Midwest GameFest is offering cash prizes for three levels this year. the Craftmanship, Judges' Choice, and Beginner. Winners must be present to receive their award.
- Best In Show (Craftmanship Level): $50
- Judges' Choice 1st Place: $30
- Judges' Choice 2nd Place: $20
- Best Beginner: $10
- Best Runway Model: $10
Craftsmanship Category
Enter our Craftsmanship Category to be considered for Best In Show (aka Masters) level. This is for people who have made at least 75% of their cosplays and props. Send us pics of your cosplay, detailed work in progress pics, and explain to us your process.
Judges' Choice Category
Feel you are not a total newb but no where near to having 75% or more of your cosplay hand made or built from scratch? This category is for you. This is not solely just for intermediate craftsmanship people but it does help. So don't feel intimidated. It is just a nice medium for people who feel in between being a total newb and being a total master! Send us a few pics of you in your cosplay, some in progress pics if you have any, and explain to us your process.
Beginner Category
Testing the waters of cosplay crafting? You say you can't sew much, but you totally creatively pieced your cosplay together using nothing but the things in your closet or from the thrift store? What? You did not build that armour or prop totally from scrath but you totally modified or repurpoused something you had laying around and turned it into something? This category is for you. Send us a few pics of you in your cosplay, some in progress pics if you have any, and explain to us your process.
Important
- Don't forget to to tell us who your character is and what Fandom they are from.
- Mashup and OG characters are absolutely welcomed!
- Be sure to let us know what name you go by when we present your cosplays on our Facebook and Discord pages. We will post our favorite pics and videos and that will be our cosplay parade!
Winners
- Best In Show $50 – Shane Demink as Jack Sparrow
- Judges Choice 1 $30 (Best Intermediate) — Reed Dees as Nanoha Takamachi
- Judges Choice 2 $20 — Faith Shulte as Weiss
- Best Beginner $10 — Hailey Love as Ghostbur
- Best Runway $10 — Millie Moon as Sally Face
Photo courtesy Shane Demink
Best In Show
Shane Demink as Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean
Best In Show and winner of $50 goes to Shane Demink as Jack Sparrow. We Loved The Whole Creation Of Your Cosplay Down To The Boots! We Loved All The Small Added Details And Attention To Them. We Love How You Bring Jack Soarrow To Life. We love How You Fully Embody Captain Jack!
Photo courtesy Reed Dees
Judges Choice 1 (Best Intermediate)
Reed Dees as Nanoha Takamachi from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Judges Choice 1 (Best Intermediate) and winner of $30 goes to Reed Dees as Nanoha Takamachi. We Loved Your Creative Process, Your Technique, And The Detailing You Put Into This Cosplay. We Loved The Creation Of Your Prop And Added Details.
Photo courtesy Lucky Photo
Judges Choice 2
Faith Shulte as Weiss from RWBY
Judges Choice 2 and winner of $20 goes to Faith Shulte as Weiss. We Loved Your Creative Process And Details Like The Beautiful Snowflake Shoulder Patch. We Loved How You Created The Cosplay Head To Toe!
Photo courtesy Hailey Love
Best Beginner
Hailey Love as Ghostbur from Dream SMP (Minecraft)
Best Beginner and winner of $10 goes to Hailey Love as Ghostbur. We Loved How You Created A Stage Prescence With Your Photos And Brought The Character To Life Through Your Pics. Neither Of Us Knows This Character, And The Way You Brougth Them To Life Makes Us Want To Know More About Them! We Loved Your Little Added Details.
Photo courtesy Millie Moon
Best Runway
Millie Moon as Sally Face from Sally Face
Best Runway and winner of $10 goes to Millie Moon as Sally Face. We Loved How You Presented The Character And Your Video Editing. We Loved Your Mask!
Judges
Heather Anderson will be hosting and judging our online cosplay contest for 2022 Heather is a gifted cosplayer (Lothlorien Woods Cosplay) and we would like to thank her for her 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.
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.
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 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.
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..