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Cosplay Competition

The Cosplay Competition is an event where you get to show off your costuming skills and have a chance to compete against other cosplaying individuals!

2023 Online Submissions are Now CLOSED!

If you're interested in signing up for our beginners category or unjudged categories, stop in at our Cosplay Table during Friday or Saturday!

BHC Cosplay Table Hours

Friday

Saturday

Saturday

Cosplay Table Opens: 

1:00 PM

Cosplay 101 (Hosted by Head of Cosplay: Jazmine):

3:00 PM

Cosplay Table Closes:

6:00 PM

(During these times, attendees can register for our beginners category and unjudged categories of the cosplay contest. They can also sign up for cosplay chess.)

Saturday

Saturday

Saturday

Cosplay Table Opens/Judging Begins:

8:00 AM 

Cosplay Parade:

2:00 PM

Judging Times Close:

2:45 PM

 Cosplay Table Closes: 

3:00 PM

Cosplay Contest Rehearsal/Setup: 

3:00 PM

Cosplay Contest:

4:00 PM

(During the times Cosplay Table is open, attendees can register for our beginners category and unjudged categories of the cosplay contest. They can also sign up for cosplay chess.)

Sunday

Saturday

Sunday

Cosplay Table Opens:

10:00 AM

Cosplay Chess:

12:00 PM

Cosplay Table Closes:

1:00 PM

Categories

Children (Not Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

This division is for anyone 12 and under. It will not be judged and thus will not be awarded prizes.  Homemade and store-bought costumes are welcome. Applications for this section must be filled out by the contestant's parent/guardian.  

Exhibition (Not Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

You must be 13 or older and have either not made/altered any aspect of their costumes, or do not wish to be judged. This is your time to show off your costume to the entirety of the con without the added pressure of the competition!  This section will not be judged and thus will not be awarded prizes. 

Beginner (Judged)

Exhibition (Not Judged)

Beginner (Judged)

You must be 13 or older and have made or altered at least 30% of your costume. This division is for cosplayers who are looking for a chance to compete in a more casual way while also showing off your skill. It is encouraged that you bring printed references for your cosplay but not required. Contestants are not allowed to enter costumes that have won more than one award at any conventions. They are also not allowed to enter costumes that have won any award here or at another convention.

Expert (Judged)

Group (Judged/Unjudged)

Beginner (Judged)

*MUST SIGN UP ONLINE BY 6/9/23*

You must be 13 or older and have made or altered at least 70% of your costume. This section is for competitors who's skills who exceed the Beginner division and wish to face a more competitive lineup. Cosplayers in this section MUST bring reference photos and similar supplements to assist in judging (exp. Swatches, progress photos, sketches, ect.) Contestants are not allowed to enter  costumes that have won more than one award at our convention or another convention.

Group (Judged/Unjudged)

Group (Judged/Unjudged)

Group (Judged/Unjudged)

*MUST SIGN UP ONLINE BY 6/9/2023 FOR JUDGED PORTION*

You must be 13 or older (with an exception for children under this age who have a an adult/guardian participating with them in the Unjudged portion of the Group Contest) and have each individually made 30% of your costume contributing to the Group Costume for the judged portion. In this section a group is considered two or more people with corresponding costumes within the same fandom they have created their costumes for. Printed references for each cosplay is encouraged but not required!

Contest Rules

Black Hills Con: Cosplay Competition Rules


  • All contestants must abide by Black Hills Con's policies found on our website under the POLICIES tab.
  • Contestants must follow given directions when interacting with Staff for Cosplay Contest
  • All who wish to signup must do so online before deadline or in person up until 2 hours prior to the competition itself.
  • Failure to arrive check-in time or judging time will result in disqualification.
  • All contestants must choose a category they qualify for, so please read our descriptions carefully! If there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to us through our email!
  • Contestants may be switched to a different category at judges/Head of cosplays discretion.
  • Any contestants found being dishonest in regards to any of our rules will face disqualification as well as the potential of being banned from future contests under Black Hills Con.
  • Beginners, Experts, and Groups (who wish to be judged) are required to schedule judging time either through email correspondence when applying online or day of at the Cosplay Table.
  • Black Hills Con reserves the right to disqualify contestants at our own discretion if the need were to arise.
  • Remember to HAVE FUN! While this is a contest, don't get down if you don't happen to win! We're all here to have fun and support one another!

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at bhconcosplay@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your Cosplay question.

Anyone 12 or younger will automatically be put into the CHILDREN category.


For anyone 13 or over, it depends on the cosplay:

  • If you don't want to compete or you made less than 30% of your cosplay, the EXHIBITION category is where you belong.
  • If you made at least 30% of your costume, the BEGINNER category is your best bet.
  • If you have made over 70% of your costume and you can provide a portfolio to the judges, then you want to sign up for the EXPERT category. If this sounds like you, don't forget that all expert entries are REQUIRED to sign up online. 

 No. Children are never judged, and the adults have a category called "Exhibition" where they can show off their costume without judging. 

To qualify for a judged section (Beginner or Expert) you will have to have made or modified at least 30% of your costume. For Children or Exhibition categories, you don't have to make it yourself. 

All entries in the Expert category required to sign up online by 5/20/23. 

If you are entering the Beginners category a judging time slot is required and they are first come, first serve. That means signing up early might be a good idea. 

Children, Exhibition, and Beginner entries are welcome to sign up in person at the convention if there is any space left. Expert entries are required to be entered online beforehand. 

If you just need to make repairs, we carry tools at the cosplay table to help and our Cosplay Contest Staff will be more than happy to help you to make repairs to the best of their abilities!


If you think you can't fix it in time for the judging, rehearsal, or the competition, talk to the cosplay desk. We will work to adjust the schedule to give you extra time to fix it. 

Sadly, we currently do not have a skit section during the Cosplay Competition.

We understand that life is unexpected, so if something comes up or there is a change of plans, please get in contact with us at bhconcosplay@gmail.com so we can work around whatever is needed. 

Handlers are more than welcome to guide their cosplayers during the contest. 

Join us on stage!

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