Caribbean Cosplay Championship Rules and Regulations

Competition outline

This competition is a test of cosplay skill, innovation, craftsmanship and performance and will take place in person at ALIAS Entertainment Expo on Sunday August 3rd 2025!

The competition will be judged by a panel of industry professionals and experts.

The submission deadline for your progress portfolio, music and background video is July 15th 2025. Submissions beyond that time will not be accepted.

 Judging Criteria

Craftsmanship and Construction 50%

• The level of workmanship and skill that went into the construction of the costume. In this regard the level of difficulty in conjunction with the execution of that level will be taken into account.
• Cosplayers will be judged on the use of materials, different techniques etc. and how well they used these materials and skill sets to achieve their final costume

Performance 50%

• Character portrayal – Points will be awarded to how well your character portrayal is.
• Entertainment Value – Points will be awarded to how entertaining your performance is written and portrayed
• Performance Innovativeness and Quality – Points will be awarded to unique and innovative ways your performance is presented. Use of stage, props, pacing etc.

Eligibility

1. This competition is open to all Caribbean/CARICOM Nationals. (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Monserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Thomas, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands)
2. You will be required to submit a copy of a valid ID to confirm your citizenship upon sign up.
3. Entrants of all ages are welcome to participate.
4. For entrants under the Age of 18, parents must sign up on their behalf.
5. This competition is open to all skill levels and types.
6. Each country is eligible to have up to two representatives. Host events in each country will be responsible for this selection. The selection must be in line with our rules and guidelines to ensure that finalists were chosen in accordance with the same rules in all countries.
7. If a country does not have a host event yet, individuals/citizens are welcome to apply. Their costume and performance MUST abide by our rules to be eligible. Additionally, in the interest of fairness, if we receive more than two (2) entries from any non host country, our panel of judges will select the top 2 finalists from these submissions. Any entry not making the finalist selection will still be showcased on the livestream and will still be eligible for the fan favorite vote.

General Rules

8. The organizers reserve the right to modify these rules and regulations at any time, and participants agree to abide by any changes. The organizers also reserve the right to disqualify any participant who does not follow these rules or who violates any laws or regulations
9. Any disputes or concerns regarding the competition or these rules must be brought to the attention of the organizers in writing. The organizers will make every effort to resolve any issues in a fair and timely manner. Posting grievances and engaging in poor sportsmanship on social media will not be tolerated and will result in a lifetime ban on competing at future events.
10. All participants will be contacted via email after applying, to confirm their entry into the competition. This email will contain an invite link to our discord. Once you join the discord please introduce yourself so that you can be added to the contestant channel for all info and updates.
11. Any persons wishing to drop out of the competition after sign up and confirmation must inform us as soon as possible upon making that decision. Please not that dropping out of the competition after July 15th may affect your ability to be accepted into the competition again in future.
12. In the event that any physical delivery of any prizes to your country of residence is not possible for whatever reason, we ask that all participants also provide us with a US mailing address for the delivery of prizes (e.g. A skybox ).

Contest Procedure

 All props will be weighed and measured on Friday afternoon after the Cosplay Parade to ensure they fit the guidelines and give contestants ample time to make any changes

Judging will take place in 2 stages:

A) Prejudging/ Craftsmanship judging

• All registered cosplayers are asked to arrive promptly at 2pm on Sunday for this segment of the judging in full costume. If you are not on time then you will only be allowed to take part in the Presentation segment which will undoubtedly affect your scores and leave you with a slim chance of winning. Contestants may walk with a progress folder. This folder must contain photos of the character along with progress pictures, showing the actual construction of the cosplay and any other material the contestant thinks would help explain the details of the craftsmanship to the judges. Contestants who do not provide the judges with a progress folder will be penalised accordingly. Please come prepared to answer questions on construction of your costume. Costumes may be partially commissioned within the confines of the 15% margin mentioned above, but the commissioner must be clearly credited and the cosplayer must be able to answer any questions asked.
  Please remember to put your name and registration number on the front of your folder.

Each contestant will be given a total of 5 minutes with the judges. Please utilize this time effectively.

B) Presentation/Performance judging

• The presentation segment starts promptly at 5 pm. You will have the opportunity to showcase your costume with your musical accompaniment to the judges and attendees. You have 1 min 30seconds stage time, please use this effectively, dramatic or comedic performances are encouraged! After the presentations, the judges will deliberate. At the end of which the winners will be announced based on the judges combined scores. Judges will be individuals versed in costume, cosplay and art and completely un-biased. Decisions will be based using the pictures provided at registration and the folder provided at prejudging.

Craftsmanship Guidelines

13. Cosplay must be 85% handmade by the competitor. No premade, commissioned or mass manufactured costumes are allowed. Accessories such as wigs, necklaces, rings, headbands etc. can be purchased, however the bulk of the costume must be handcrafted by the competitor. Any assistance in making the costume needs to be fully disclosed to us.
14. If it is determined that 15% or more of an item is not made by hand, the item/s will not be included in the judging.
15. Submissions must not be offensive racially, religiously or politically.
16. Registrations must include clear images of the character you will be portraying with as much details as possible for reference and a description of the character being portrayed.
17. Your entry can be from any medium of your choice. E.g. comics, movies, anime, sci-fi etc.
18. Original characters and Fan Art depictions are welcome but sufficient detailed images of said character must be provided to the judges for reference.
19. All Fan Art depictions must have the permission from the artist to use their art in this competition. Unless you, the participant, are the artist then this rule does not apply and sufficient proof must be provided in your application.

Performance Guidelines

20. Participants must submit their performance tracks/videos and Work in Progress folders online by July 15th 2025.
21. Performances can be chosen from any entertainment medium of your choice. E.g. comics, movies, anime, sci-fi etc.
22. Your time limit is 1min 30 seconds. However your performance must be at least 30 seconds long.
23. You are allowed the use of ONE stage hand/stage ninja that can help you on stage with your performance. This person will be allowed to help you operate props, move devices or do quick outfit/costume changes. They can be a great asset in helping you bring your performance to life BUT only from the shadows. They cannot be seen by the audience under any circumstances (hence why they are ninjas ^_^).
24. Stage props will not be included for craftsmanship judging scores but will impact your performance score.
25. You will be allowed a maximum of ONE (1) stage set, up to 6ft tall, 3ft in depth and up to 6ft wide. This set needs to be able to be carried by up to 2 ALIAS staff members in one trip, so it cannot weigh more than 50lb in total.
    OR
    Instead of a set, you are allowed up to THREE (3) separate stage props, each again capable of being carried by one ALIAS staff member each in one trip. Each stage prop cannot weigh more than 15 lbs each.

Guidelines for props

 Forbidden Items

• Metal weapons or props.
• Projectiles, messy and pyrotechnics. E.g. Liquids, confetti, firecrackers, scratch bombs, fun snaps, smoke bombs, nerf darts, working bows, real fire arms.

 Restricted Items (permitted but limitations at the discretion of management)

• Props made from wood, cardboard, Styrofoam, rubber or other craft material.
• Large props and costumes, regardless of construction material
• Props that fall under the “restricted: category, which management feel will provide a risk to attendees, but will form an integral part of the performance or is beautifully crafted etc. could be allowed in. However it will need to be stored until the contestant needs it for a photography session, competition or masquerade. We endeavour to be as understanding as possible.
• Misusing props or engaging in dangerous behaviour (e.g. swinging it around, sparring, etc.) Is the fastest way to lose the privilege of carrying it at all.
• All props are subject to review by management and we reserve the full discretion for confiscation.