For all accessibility needs and considerations, please notify our costuming team with this information on your registration form.

Costume Contest contestants must attend a prejudging session with the contest judges. Prejudging sessions will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, and each contestant will be assigned a time slot prior to the beginning of the convention and be sent this information by email. It is the responsibility of the contestant to be present fifteen (15) minutes prior to their appointed prejudging session. Participants found in violation of this rule may be disqualified from the contest.

All contestants must be in full costume at the prejudging session and may present a printed portfolio of the costume’s fabrication process. Reference image material for contest entries is encouraged, but not required. Judges are not always able to look-up reference images on their own, so it is best to show up prepared for the contest. Contestants will be given approximately three (3) minutes for their prejudging session.

All weapons and props must be inspected by a member of the costume staff at the prejudging session. All local laws, codes, and regulations will be enforced, along with Convention Policies. If the weapon or prop is to be part of the contestant’s stage presentation, it must be inspected at the prejudging session. Props or weapons not inspected will not be permitted on stage. Participants found in violation of this rule will be immediately disqualified from the contest. While staged fighting within a presentation is allowed, at no time will any weapon be used to threaten anyone outside their presentation, even in jest. Participants found in violation of this rule will be immediately disqualified from the contest.

Contestants should prepare three (3) to five (5) poses they can do onstage as part of the exhibition of their costume. Contestants will have the opportunity to walk onstage, present the costume to the audience and judges by way of posing in the costume a few times, then will exit the stage. The costumed stage walk and posing are considered the exhibition portion of the competition. Plan for one (1) minute or less of stage presentation time.

It is the responsibility of the contestant to be present fifteen (15) minutes prior to their appointed prejudging session. Participants found in violation of this rule may be disqualified from the contest.

During prejudging, each entrant will be allowed approximately three (3) minutes to present their costume. Be prepared to tell the judges what you want to make sure they know about your costume, and be courteous to the judges and your fellow competitors by keeping your presentation brief.

Prejudging is not open to the public. Only contestants and their handlers are allowed in prejudging areas.

The judges reserve the right to bump the contestant up or down a craftsmanship level after they have seen all entries during prejudging. Judges have the right to abstain from judging contestants based on prior knowledge of competitors (such as direct personal relationships, being coworkers, etc.) and these scores will be based on the average of the remaining judges.

Costumes must be finished before you get to prejudging, and no additional components should be added or modified before the onstage portion of the competition. No sewing, gluing, soldering, or other construction work will be accepted, with exception for unexpected repairs. Unexpected repairs are to be brought to the attention of the Costuming Manager so they can be deemed as necessary and not last-minute modifications.

Costumes with electric power requirements need to be self-contained, as there will be no access to power outlets.

All weapons and props will be inspected and approved by the costuming staff prior to conducting prejudging.

Contest participants must arrive in costume at the Costume Contest Lineup room at its scheduled time and designated location Saturday evening. Contestants may arrive no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the Costume Contest event.

This pre-contest time is used to establish the participant lineup and provide stage directions and other information to contestants prior to the costume contest. Handlers may escort and assist the contestant in this room (as well as to the stage, with permission of the Costuming Manager given at prejudging/lineup), but by and large, Soonercon staff and volunteers will assist the contestant during the lineup, getting onstage, and with exiting the stage.

Contestants under 18 years of age must have a legal guardian with them throughout the contest, as well as be accompanied by a legal guardian in the room during prejudging and at all times behind the stage. This is strictly enforced. Proof of age may be requested at any time during these events.

Onstage time for all divisions is one (1) minute or less of stage presentation time.

Soonercon is not responsible for any damage to costumes caused by tripping, falling, or costume malfunction. If necessary, a handler may accompany you, for assistance.

Do not leave anything on the stage that a staff member cannot quickly remove. If you plan to leave anything on stage, please let us know so we can clear the stage before the next contestant enters.

If using large props, please request handler assistance for getting on and off stage in your application form. We will need this information during registration to plan for the onstage line-up.

You may not use a microphone on stage.

No fire, loose glitter, confetti, explosives, projectiles, or objects emitting smoke, vapors, excessive noise, or light are permitted. Participants found in violation of this rule may be disqualified from the contest and may be responsible for fire and safety code violations imposed by the city of Norman and/or Cleveland County, in the state of Oklahoma.

Loud noises, dangerous weapons, and devices must have full, proper, and prior clearance by the Costuming Manager before entering the contest.

We strongly encourage contestants to create exciting and energetic stage presentations of their costumes. Contestants may surprise the audience, but all elements of the stage presentation must be identified in the prejudging meeting. Do not surprise the staff or judges at the competition. Participants found in violation of this rule may be immediately disqualified from the contest.

Upon completing one’s stage exhibition, contestants are not permitted to enter the stage area unless specifically invited to do so by staff or judges. Participants found in violation of this rule may be immediately disqualified from the contest.

Costumers must select the category in which they wish to compete on their contest registration form. Categories are defined as:

Beginner

The beginner division is to encourage those new to the hobby. It is expected that 50% of the contestant’s costume has been made or modified by the contestant.

You may not enter as a beginner if you have ever received professional compensation for costuming (inclusive of: commission-based sales, careers in various craftsman fields related to the making of cosplay, paid professional modeling of cosplay or other compensated appearances). Email costuming@soonercon.com with questions. 

Contestants may not routinely compete at the Intermediate/Journeyman level in regional competition, or have accomplished any of the following in international competition: 

• have won in a higher division
• have won ‘Best in Show’
• have won in the beginner division a number of (3) division or smaller awards to be determined by the Costuming Manager

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of twenty (20) entrants into the Beginner category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Intermediate

The intermediate division allows further development of costuming skills. It is expected that 75% of the contestant’s costume has been made or modified by the contestant.

Contestants may not enter if they have accomplished any of the following in international competition: have won three times in an intermediate division, have won any award in a master category or have won ‘Best in Show’.

Contestants in this category are recommended (not mandatory) to create and bring a portfolio to present to the contest judges during prejudging. The portfolio consists of printed information showcasing the costume, design reference images and color images of the costume during construction. If a contestant chooses to bring a portfolio, it must be a physical copy. Photos or portfolios on phones/mobile devices/technology will not be allowed. All portfolios will be returned following the stage portion of the costume contest. 

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of twenty (20) entrants into the Intermediate category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Master

The master division is an open class. It is expected that 90% of the contestant’s costume has been made by the contestant.

For the costume being entered in the contest, contestants in the Master category must pre-submit both their design reference images and at least 10 full-color process and/or construction images no later than two weeks prior (Friday, June 16, 2023) to costuming@soonercon.com. It is required that contestants in this category of competition bring a physical copy of this portfolio for the contest judges. This will be returned after competition. Photos or portfolios on phones/mobile devices/technology will not be allowed

Master division participants may not enter a costume with which they have previously won ‘Best in Show’ or another convention’s Masters division, including but not limited to a previous Soonercon. However, previous Soonercon ‘Best in Show’ winners may enter the Masters division with a different costume than the costume with which they won ‘Best in Show’ previously.

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of ten (10) entrants into the Master category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Group Entries

Groups (two or more contestants) are eligible to compete together in all division levels, including being eligible for ‘Best in Show’. Group costume participants must each individually apply for the contest and need to include each legal name of their fellow costume collaborators who are participating in the group entry on their individual registration form to identify the competing group’s members. Failure to do so will result in each contestant competing entirely individually at the level in which the contestant entered and not as a group. 

When competing as a group, the group is required to abide by the rules of the division in which they have registered with the exception of the following: Each contestant in the group competing must make no less than 50% of their own individual costume for beginner category entries and 75% of their own individual costume for intermediate and or master categories. 

Groups shall not exceed more than four members and all contestants must compete at the highest level of the individual craftsmanship in their group. Example, if a beginner and a master-level entrant compete together as a group, they must both enter the Master division.

Awards and prizes won as a group will be issued singularly to the group (one award/prize). By entering the contest as a group, participants acknowledge this and will work out amongst themselves who retains the physical award and any division of prizes.

Costumers must select the category in which they wish to compete on their contest registration form. Categories are defined as:

Beginner

The beginner division is to encourage those new to the hobby. It is expected that 50% of the contestant’s costume has been made or modified by the contestant.

You may not enter as a beginner if you have ever received professional compensation for costuming (inclusive of: commission-based sales, careers in various craftsman fields related to the making of cosplay, paid professional modeling of cosplay or other compensated appearances). Email costuming@soonercon.com with questions. 

Contestants may not routinely compete at the Intermediate/Journeyman level in regional competition, or have accomplished any of the following in international competition: 

• have won in a higher division
• have won ‘Best in Show’
• have won in the beginner division a number of (3) division or smaller awards to be determined by the Costuming Manager

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of twenty (20) entrants into the Beginner category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Intermediate

The intermediate division allows further development of costuming skills. It is expected that 75% of the contestant’s costume has been made or modified by the contestant.

Contestants may not enter if they have accomplished any of the following in international competition: have won three times in an intermediate division, have won any award in a master category or have won ‘Best in Show’.

Contestants in this category are recommended (not mandatory) to create and bring a portfolio to present to the contest judges during prejudging. The portfolio consists of printed information showcasing the costume, design reference images and color images of the costume during construction. If a contestant chooses to bring a portfolio, it must be a physical copy. Photos or portfolios on phones/mobile devices/technology will not be allowed. All Portfolios will be returned following the stage portion of the costume contest. 

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of twenty (20) entrants into the Intermediate category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Master

The master division is an open class. It is expected that 90% of the contestant’s costume has been made by the contestant.

For the costume being entered in the contest, contestants in the Master category must pre-submit both their design reference images and at least 10 full-color process and/or construction images no later than two weeks prior (Friday, June 16, 2023) to costuming@soonercon.com. It is required that contestants in this category of competition bring a copy of this portfolio  (returned immediately following the contest) to present to the contest judges during prejudging as well. Contestants must bring a physical copy of their portfolio. Photos or portfolios on phones/mobile devices/technology will not be allowed. All portfolios will be returned following the stage portion of the costume contest. 

Master division participants may not enter a costume with which they have previously won ‘Best in Show’ or another convention’s Masters division, including but not limited to a previous Soonercon. However, previous Soonercon ‘Best in Show’ winners may enter the Masters division with a different costume than the costume with which they won ‘Best in Show’ previously.

The Costume Contest will permit a maximum of ten (10) entrants into the Master category, due to time constraints. This may change based on registration responses.

Group Entries

Groups (two or more contestants) are eligible to compete together in all division levels, including being eligible for ‘Best in Show’. Group costume participants must each individually apply for the contest and need to include each legal name of their fellow costume collaborators who are participating in the group entry on their individual registration form to identify the competing group’s members. Failure to do so will result in each contestant competing entirely individually at the level in which the contestant entered and not as a group. 

When competing as a group, the group is required to abide by the rules of the division in which they have registered with the exception of the following: Each contestant in the group competing must make no less than 50% of their own individual costume for beginner category entries and 75% of their own individual costume for intermediate and or master categories. 

Groups shall not exceed more than four members and all contestants must compete at the highest level of the individual craftsmanship in their group. Example, if a beginner and a master-level entrant compete together as a group, they must both enter the Master division.

Awards and prizes won as a group will be issued singularly to the group (one award/prize). By entering the contest as a group, participants acknowledge this and will work out amongst themselves who retains the physical award and any division of prizes.

For each category, individual or group entries contestant entries will be awarded one of the following awards:

Best in Class

This award is given to a contestant exhibiting exceptional skill in all areas of costuming within the expectations of the aforementioned class. Awards will be issued to one contestant in each of the Beginner, Intermediate and Master divisions for first and runners up (six total prizes).

Across the entire competition, individual contestant entries will be awarded one of the following awards:

Best Runway

Awarded to a contestant whose stage presentation exceptionally enhances the interpretation or appreciation of the contestant’s costume (one prize).

Judge’s Choice

Each competition judge selects one (1) contestant whose costume warrants special recognition. The criteria for this award are solely at the discretion of the judge granting the award (up to four prizes total).

Best in Show

This award is given to the contestant who exhibits unparalleled excellence in all areas of costuming, across all competitor classes in the competition. The winner of the ‘Best in Show’ award is the recipient of the contest grand prize (one prize).

All Costume Contest awards and prizes will be presented at the close of the competition on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Showcase your awesome cosplays!

On Friday, June 30, 2023 a Cosplay Fashion Show will take place. This exhibition event and friendly contest is for attendees to show off their costumes and for those who are not interested in competing in the staged costume contest, as well as for contestants who have assembled their costume from commercially produced or otherwise alternatively sourced (including but not limited to commissions and closet/thrifted cosplays).

Participants will be expected to show off runway-style in front of a Soonercon backdrop with open photography available, and may be judged based on this presentation (if wishing to participate) for the awards below.

Cosplay Fashion Show costumes must conform to all Convention Policies and must be worn in accordance with the Costuming policy. An escort is recommended if the costume impedes vision and mobility. If carrying a weapon prop, please be sure to carefully read all Weapons Policies.

Awards:

Participants may opt to be judged onsite during this event. Group and youth entries are permitted. Judges will recognize participants for the competition and award them as follows:

• Most Heroic
• Vilest Villain
• Broody Anti-Hero 
• Sickest Cyberpunk
• Most Likely to Survive Nuclear Winter

Awards will be presented at Intermission of the Costume Contest and the closing ceremonies of the convention on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Participants do not need to be present to win and will be contacted based on the contact information provided for the Cosplay Fashion Show at time of event. 

Participants should conceptualize and make the majority of their own costumes. Adults, parents, and siblings may help, but they should not construct the entire costume. Allow young contestants to be creative! The purpose of this contest division is for youth to discover the joy of costuming and to be able to compete against similarly-skilled participants. Costumes that appear to be made solely by an adult will be negatively scored.

This is for children 12 and under, and each contestant must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This is strictly enforced.

There is a cap of 30 participants for this contest, and registration is based on a first come, first served basis. Participants can pre-register online or onsite Friday and Saturday during registration hours.

Judges will recognize three contestants during the competition and award them as follows:

• Best in Show
• Runner-Up
• Third Place

Soonercon has the authority to eliminate anyone from the competitions on the grounds of obscenity, harassing behavior, danger, contest rules violations, and Convention Policy violation.

Signature Requirement: Each entrant in the contest will be required to give their signature on the day of the competition to verify that they have read the rules and will adhere to them. Minors (17 years of age and younger) must have a parent or guardian’s accompanying signature. Participants found in violation of this procedure will be immediately disqualified from the contest.

Contact costuming@soonercon.com with any questions regarding the aforementioned rules of competition and category assignments.

Appeals against disqualification must be made directly to the Costuming Manager. If the contestant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the first appeal, they may appeal to the Soonercon Board of Directors, whose decision is final and cannot be superseded.

Any Soonercon member may contact the convention committee staff at any time during the con at Convention Registration/HQ desk or via our Feedback Form.