Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest

This contest is a celebration of technical skill, construction, and creative problem‑solving in cosplay. Unlike performance‑focused events, this competition centers on how your costume was made, the techniques you used, and the craftsmanship choices behind your work.

This is a craftsmanship‑focused contest with mandatory pre‑judging on Saturday morning. All contestants must participate in pre-judging, which is conducted privately with the judging panel. Failure to attend pre-judging will result in forfeiture of eligibility for all awards.

Submission of this application does not guarantee acceptance. Contest capacity is limited to only twenty (20) slots available and there is a juried selection process, and early submission is strongly encouraged.

Skill Divisions

Divisions exist to ensure fair and balanced competition. Contestants should enter the division that best reflects their experience level.

Creators After Dark staff and judges reserve the right to reassign divisions as needed.

Disclaimer: The # of total entries may change the prizing titles to: Best in Show, Second, and Third Place

Contestants may choose to enter a higher division but may not enter below their qualification level.

Accepted costume sources include:

• Published source material.
• Original designs or fanart (with artist permission if applicable).
• Mash‑ups or alternate interpretations of existing characters

References are required at pre‑judging. Physical references (printed images, sketches, build plans) are strongly preferred. Failure to provide references may result in point deductions.

Eligibility & Participation Restrictions:

Participants may only compete in one of the following events:

• Cosplay Pageant
• Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest

Dual participation is not permitted. If you are accepted into both events, you must select which competition you will enter.  

Please consider all following rules before applying:

• You must have a Creators After Dark badge in order to participate.
• This application is open to all genders and skill levels!
• Store‑bought costumes are not permitted.
• Costumes must be made or significantly modified by the entrant.
• Modified items must be 50% or more altered from their original state to count toward handmade totals.
• Wigs and shoes are not required to be handmade.
• Outside assistance must not exceed 30% of the overall build.
• Disability aids will not be counted against craftsmanship percentages.
• The maker of the costume must be present and entered into the contest.
• Costumes may be worn by the maker or modeled by another individual.
• Costumes may not be presented on a mannequin.
• Any costume that has previously won a major award is ineligible
• Failure to attend pre‑judging will result in forfeiture of eligibility for all awards.
• Costumes and props must comply with all established dress code and convention/venue rules.

All official communication will be conducted via email. Please monitor both your inbox and spam folder closely. If you have questions, contact us at cosplay@creatorsafterdark.com.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at the show!

Key Dates

Commitment to Fairness & Inclusion

In order to create a welcoming and inclusive contest, we at Creators After Dark pledge to not judge contestants on any components outside of their cosplay or performance. This includes:  Race, Ethnicity, Nationality, Age, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Disability Status, Religion, Socioeconomic Status, or Personal Vendetta. Any judge found to be showing bias towards or against any of the above will be removed as a judge, and all points from said judge will not be accounted for in final scores.

Sportsmanship & Conduct
Creators After Dark is dedicated to fostering a respectful, professional, and inclusive competitive environment. Unsportsmanlike behavior—including harassment, discrimination, sandbagging, hate speech, or targeted harassment—will not be tolerated. This policy applies to in-person and online conduct, before, during, and after the event.

Violations may result in disqualification, revocation of awards, removal from the event, or banning from future Creators After Dark competitions.