Exhibitor – For show only; will not be judged
Youth – Under age 13
Novice – Beginner cosplayer and/or contestant has never won an award; 65% of costume must be hand-made
Journeyman – Intermediate-level cosplayer and/or contestant has won less than 3 Novice or Journeyman awards; 65% of costume must be hand-made
Master – Experienced cosplayer and/or contestant has won 3 awards at any costume contest; 80% of costume must be hand-made
RULES1. All contestants must have a Pensacon badge or wristband in order to be eligible to compete (this includes Volunteer, Vendor, Sponsor, Press, and other specialty badges).
2. Groups may enter the contest, but will be judged as one individual unit. The category will be determined by the qualifications of the highest-ranking member of the group.
3. Costumes that have won any award at past Pensacon events may not enter the 2015 Costume Contest.
4. Costumes that have won a best master/best in show award at any previous contest are not eligible to win.
5. Costumes that do not meet category requirements will not be turned away, but the total score of the entry will be affected.
6. Costumes must be hand-made. However, pieces of costumes may be found, modified, or altered from its original design or purpose.
7. Costume creators are allowed to use a model for their costume, but the costume creator must be present during the contest. Creators must be prepared to explain the creative process behind their costume.
8. Each contestant is allowed to wear only one costume. For group entries, one costume per member is allowed, or members may wear a combined costume (i.e. a large costume that require several people inside to move it).
9. Projectiles, glitter, confetti, pyrotechnics, live flame, and smoke generators of any kind are not allowed.
10. All prop weapons must conform to the Pensacon weapons policy: all weapons must be non-working and peace bonded; bladed weapons must be cased or sheathed at all times.
11. No skits during the contest.
12. No nudity.
13. All applications must be submitted by the online or on-site deadlines.
14. Judges reserve the right to move any contestant or group into a different classification, should they feel the contestant or group’s skill level exceeds the class chosen by the contestant or group.
