Welcome to the submission form for Aki Matsuri's 2024 Cosplay Contest hosted by NMJACL with the help of Billy Bolt and Slice of Life on September 29th at EXPO NM.
Contestants will have to check in at the cosplay booth atleast 1 hour before the show. All participants will need to fill out a form with the name, character name, and characters origin/franchise. Participants will all be given the music to help the show run smoothly. Once on stage cosplayer will do what is called a walk on. They will do a couple poses or a short skit and walk back off.
Winners will be announced at the end of the event. The 2 judges (Billy Bolt and Sin In Disguise) will award the cosplayer with prizes and certificates on the stage. All contestants will be invited back into stage for group photos once everything has been handed out.
This year, Aki Matsuri 2024 will feature local cosplayers Billy Bolt and Sin in Disguise. Billy Bolt is a cosplayer, prop maker, and entertainer who enjoys building the local cosplay community through education and events. Sin in Disguise is a professional seamstress and model with multiple awards in craftsmanship and stage performance; she enjoys building costumes and hopes to continue growing the local cosplay community. Aki Matsuri is humbled to have them host and judge our Cosplay Contest in the Indian Village this year. Prize support for the contest will be sponsored by Slice of Life Anime and Manga.
Cosplay Competition Rules
- Any participants under the age of 13 must have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter and sign up for the contest.
- Any costume entries can not have previously been awarded a Masters award or Best in Show at any other event.
- Cosplayer must complete check in
- Group entries are welcome, please ensure the group is 4 people or less.
- Costumes must be appropriate for all ages.
- Parts of the costume may be store-bought however cosplay must be at least 50% handmade or modified by the contestant.
- Any costumes being entered may not include symbols of hate speech, racism, homophobia, offensive language, and sexual images or speech.
- No steel weapons are permitted. Live steel is defined by the FDL as any metal object that can hold a sharp edge, whether or not it actually does. Foam weapons are preferred. Plastic blades and weapons are fine, but must be blunt.
- If you need any assistance with getting on and off the stage during your walk-on please let one of the judges know during pre-judging.
- Contestants are not allowed to throw anything off the stage, nor use projectiles or use anything on stage that will leave a mess. This includes (but is not limited to) liquids, glitter, and confetti.
- Contestants must treat judges, stage managers, and fellow contestants with respect. Any contestant caught violating this rule will immediately be disqualified from the contest.
- Skits, dances, or other performances will not be allowed on the stage. The contest will be walk-on only.
- By agreeing to these rules, you consent to have your photo taken and used by Aki Matsuri during and in conjunction with the Cosplay Contest. Your photo may be shared on social media, the NMJALC website, and any other affiliated platforms. It may also be used for promotional materials now and in the future.