Entrants may always enter a higher division, but cannot enter a lower division. It is up to the discretion of the Judges or director to move participants into different categories based upon skill level, category attendance, etc,.
Novice
Novices are new to costume making and competing in Masquerades. Participants cannotenter the Novice division if:Participants are professionals in the sewing or costuming field. This includes if entries run a cosplay commission-based business.Participants have won major awards such as Best in Class or Best in Show at previous SNAFU Cons or other regional conventions. Participants have won multiple (3) awards at prior regional conventions.Master
Anyone may enter the Master division.
Youth
Anyone aged 13 or younger may enter the Youth division. Costumes fully designed and created by an adult must be entered in the adult’s appropriate skill division or entered as an exhibition piece.
Exhibition
If you do not wish to be judged you may enter as an exhibition piece. Your costume and presentation must still conform to all of the masquerade and convention policies.
Craftsmanship judging is open to participants competing in the skit or walk-on category. The entry may be judged as a group or as an individual. Participants must be present during judging prior to the Masquerade. If the entrant is not present at the time to be judged, entrees will be disqualified for a craftsmanship prize.
Craftsmanship Rules:Costumes must be inspired by an anime, manga, comic, video game, TV show, movie, web comic, or other form of media. Original designs must have concept sketches and be fully handmade. “Found Item” pieces are allowed to represent up to 20% of the costume. These are items that have been found at various retail establishments (i.e. gloves, shoes, belts, etc.,). These items may be altered or unaltered. Costumes, as a whole, must be made by a member of your group. Commissioned, rented, or full purchased costumes are not allowed and will not be judged. Entrants must provide a reference picture of the characters being portrayed. This can be done on site, or uploaded ahead of time on the Masquerade Registration.
Skits are open to individuals or groups of up to 7 individuals. Skits will consist of the entrant(s) doing a performance on stage while in costume. All participants must be in costume unless he/she is a stage hand/prop. Performances must adhere to the performance rules, con rules, and other rules as listed above.
Skits do not need to undergo Craftsmanship Judging. Microphones will NOT be provided for performances, all audio and dialogue must be pre-recorded and submitted via the Cosplay Masquerade registration system. All audio files must be in the .MP3 format. Please ensure your files work prior to submitting them.
Tech will not shorten your file for you, or start it at a specific point. Your file must be edited to precisely what the tech staff is to play. However, we recommend adding a 2-4 second buffer on each side of the file for the tech staff to fade in/out. Please tell us if you have or have not added that buffer when you register.