Welcome to Cosplay at Fort Collins Comic Con!

Whether you’re here to compete, craft, perform, or just show off your fandom, the FoCo Comic Con Cosplay experience is packed with excitement, creativity, and community. From general cosplay rules to our featured guests, contests, meetups, and special events, this page has everything you need to make the most of your cosplay weekend. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or brand-new to the scene, we’re here to support your cosplay journey—safely, inclusively, and with a whole lot of fun.

Table of Contents:

Cosplay Rules – Cosplay Guests – CosPlayGround Schedule – Cosplay Events – Cosplay Contest
Cosplay Contest Rules – Cosplay Contest Signup

General Rules for Cosplayers

1. All costumes must be PG-friendly, have shoes (with a hard sole), and ensure all private parts are substantially covered/undergarments are worn. Minimum skin coverage rule of thumb: 30% (Borat swimsuit and/or pasties and a g-string do not constitute an acceptable cosplay).
2. Prop weapons MUST be rendered completely inoperable, clearly distinguishable at a cursory glance from a real weapon, and totally, utterly incapable of harming the badgeholder or another attendee. Also:
   • Projectiles (including weapon ammo like airsoft pellets, BBs, and arrows) are strictly forbidden.
   • Firearm props must have a clearly visible orange cap on the barrel.
   • Metal and ceramic weapons are not allowed (including bladed weapons, swords, knives, or sharpened edges of any kind).
   • Prop weapons must be made of lightweight materials such as foam, cardboard, or plastic.
   • Sharpened edges of any kind are not allowed, including on armor, shields, or other tools.
   • Bats and heavy blunt instruments (cricket, baseball, golf clubs, paddles, furniture legs, etc) are not allowed – however, facsimiles made of lightweight material may be allowed (e.g.: if you paint a hollow, plastic baseball bat to look like a real bat, and it’s very clearly fake and incapable of causing harm, we’ll have no problem with that).
3. All props must be peacebonded by Fort Collins Comic Con staff. After inspection, all guns will have zipties attached to the trigger to indicate it is unusable as a weapon, and safe for display. The cosplayer will be given a sticker to indicate that they have completed peacebonding. Peacebonding is mandatory. You may also be checked at any time by Fort Collins Comic Con staff.
4. Props may not be brandished in a threatening manner. If you leave Fort Collins Comic Con, please put away any weapon props.
5. If your costume could be confused for local law enforcement, please don’t wear that costume.
6. Hate symbols or cosplay elements that could be confused for hate symbols are not allowed at Fort Collins Comic Con (badges, tattoos, etc…)
7. Fort Collins Comic Con staff have the right to modify these rules on the spot to protect conference attendees and the safety of the event.
8. Be courteous of other attendees when posing for photography. Do not block walkways, doors, elevators, or stairs.
9. Fort Collins Comic Con, employees, volunteers, and sponsors are not responsible for damage incurred to your costume during the conference, and the staff reserves the right to ask you to change if your outfit is not acceptable.

Cosplay Guests

Craft Table

Check out our craft table to make friendship bracelets throughout the weekend! Great for participants of all ages.

Cosplay Events

Check out our various cosplay events throughout the weekend!

COSPLAY CONTEST

Rules for Cosplay Contest

General:

1. You must enter the category that fits you best.
   1. If you enter a category that is below your skill level on purpose, you will be removed from the contest for this year.
   2. We will not move your category unless it is absolutely necessary.
   3. If you have questions about your placement based on experience, please contact percy@fococomiccon.com. We are more than happy to help you find where you belong!
2. If you are competing as a duo or group, you must enter at the skill level of your highest-skilled competitor, but if the judges are notified of each contestant’s skill level, they will judge them accordingly.  
3. Street clothes are defined as pre-made or purchased items used in the creation of your cosplay. Things that DO NOT count towards street clothes include undergarments, hose, wig bases, and shoes. 
4. A build book is required for all beginner, intermediate, and master competitors. (Performance & Kids are not required.)
   1. If you have questions on what a build book is and how to make one, please email cosplay@fococomiccon.com
5. All cosplays MUST adhere to the general Fort Collins Comic Con cosplay rules.
   1. This includes getting everything prop checked BEFORE your judging time slot.
   2. https://fococomiccon.com/rules/#cosplay
   3. Shoes are required, even for barefoot characters. 
6. Any cosplay that has previously won an award, at any level, is not permitted.
7. All craftsmanship participants are required to do craftsmanship prejudging.
   1. You will be assigned a judging time ahead of the convention. If this time does not work for you, we will do our best to squeeze you in elsewhere but please note that it is first come, first serve.
   2. You will be asked during registration if you have any panels, and we will work with the programming coordinator to ensure that it does not conflict. If a mistake happens, please reach out ASAP. 
8. Contestants may choose to not wear their cosplay for their judging time; however, they must still present all of the pieces to the judges and must be in their full cosplay during the stage portion of the show. 
9. There is a maximum allotment of 30-40 contestants (outside of kids).
   1. If all slots are filled online before the contest day, we will start a waitlist. 
   2. The amount of contestants is defined by how many we have in each category, as we only have so much time for the show.
10. With the exception of Kids and Performance contestants, if you are NOT the creator of the cosplay, you may model the cosplay. However, the creator MUST be present for prejudging and awards.
    1. If you made the majority of it and had help, this is not considered modeled, but the help you received must be disclosed verbally to the judges and in your build book. 
    2. If you are found to be falsifying any information or omitting significant contributors to your cosplay, you will not be eligible to place and may not be allowed to compete in the future. 
11. Entry slots are non-transferable, unless discussed with the contest coordinator before the contest day and have been approved.
    1. If there is a waitlist, entries will not be transferable in most cases.
12. If you sign up after the Friday rehearsal time, you will not be permitted to perform with your chosen audio and will just have upbeat music played (We will still ask for info to read during your walk-on!). This is because we have to order everything for our audio team and will not have time to approve and reorder new audio past that time.
    1. This does mean that only kids and craftsmanship contestants can sign up on Saturday.
13. Group entries may not exceed 4 participants. 
14. The registration form will ask you if you have any needs that we may need to accommodate. Please fill this out as fully as possible or contact us directly with your needs before the convention. The rooms and performance area are ADA accessible, but we want to make sure we are prepared as much as possible for all of our contestant’s needs ahead of time.

Conduct:

1. The judges and staff are people who are trying to do their jobs to the best of their ability. The following is not proper conduct:
   1. Harassing the judges or con staff in any manner
   2. Roleplay of any kind in the judging room.
      1. Save the “play” for the stage
   3. Foul language directed at the judges or con staff
   4. Disparaging the judges online or at the convention
2. Sportsmanship is paramount for contests of any kind but especially in cosplay contests; we are surrounded by our fellow creators and cosplayers who worked just as hard as anyone else and deserve respect.
   1. If you are seen bashing your fellow competitor’s work and/or a judge’s decision, you may be reviewed for being disqualified from participating in future contests (this includes online behavior).
   2. If you have feedback or concerns, please email the coordinator at percy@fococomiccon.com (Do not contact the judges directly).
3. If you would like your individual feedback and scores from the judges, please visit their tables to chat with them on Sunday.

During the Con:

1. Green room is mandatory for all contestants (including kids). This is where we will line up all the contestants in order. Green Room opens about one hour before the contest begins, and all contestants MUST be in the room 30 minutes before showtime.
   1. If you are not in Green Room on time, you may not be able to get on stage, so you have to be on time!
2. All online contest entrants must check in with the contest coordinator before 2pm on Saturday, or you will be removed from the contest line-up. 
3. If you need a handler, bring someone! If you need more than one though, please notify us during your judging time so we can accommodate space. 
4. If you are running late for your judging time or you need to drop out for any reason, please contact us ASAP! We can try to work with you if you let us know what is going on, and it will let us know if we can squeeze others in your place.
5. It is good practice to check in 10 minutes prior to your judging time. It gives us time to make sure that everything is all set and we can run on time as much as possible. 
6. There will be a window for pre-judging before the Green Room opens, which is for last-minute entrants and those who were unable to make their assigned slot.
   1. This is first come, first serve, and there will likely be a wait. 
7. You can check in during your judging time, but if you do not have one, check at the contest table so we know you are still planning to compete and can finalize details with you.

Stage Expectations:

1. If you would like to have audio for your walk-on, please send it to us!
   1. Craftsmanship contestants have 45 seconds maximum for audio, and performance contestants have 2 minutes maximum for audio. 
   2. All audio will be approved before it is played.
   3. Audios must be sent no later than Friday of the convention. (No exceptions) 
   4. Audios must be PG in rating and may not contain offensive content. 
2. If no audio is submitted, there will be generic upbeat music for you to walk on to, and you will be asked to submit a small snippet of info about your character and/or your build that will be read aloud on stage. (This should be about one paragraph in length)
3. On Friday of the convention, there will be rehearsal time for participants. If you want to rehearse, you must be there at the start of the time, so we can make sure we have enough time for everyone who needs it.
   1. There will also be time to ask the coordinator any questions that you may have at the start of the rehearsal time. 
4. Pyrotechnics, glitter, confetti, silly string, etc, are not allowed by any contestant. You must leave the performance area as you found it and undamaged. 
5. If there is anything that you do that could result in bodily harm to yourself (like acrobatics), it MUST be approved by the contest head and you will be solely responsible if you get hurt.
   1. Anything that could potentially harm staff or an audience member will not be permitted under any circumstances.
6. We do not have the ability to do lighting changes due to our space, but you may request a specific start cue (when you walk on stage, after you’ve taken your mark, etc.)
7. Our stage area is very shallow in comparison to what you may be used to. Please be aware of this for your blocking. 

Special Awards:

1. There is an Audience Choice award, so bring your best for the crowd (and bring friends to cheer you on)!
2. If we have enough participants, the judges will have the opportunity to award a Judge’s Choice award to the contestant of their choosing.

Kids:

1. All participants 12 and under will be entered into this category. 
2. This is a partially competitive category for kids. We want kids to be able to participate in the competitive world of cosplay, but it is all for fun!
   1. There is a 1st place, but all kids will receive a ribbon for their hard work.
3. Entrants may choose to sign up for an interview time with the judges if they wish to experience the entire process of a cosplay competition, but it is not required.
4. Kids are encouraged to make portions of their cosplay, but it is by no means required. 
5. A parent or guardian must accompany any kid contestant during the entire process.
6. Kids will not be able to have personal audio. There will be generic upbeat music for you to walk on to, and you will be asked to submit a small snippet of info about your character and/or your costume that will be read aloud on stage. (This should be about one paragraph in length.)

Beginners:

1. You have never competed in a cosplay contest before and/or have never placed in a contest with a category, craftsmanship, or best-in-show award. (Minor awards are generally acceptable if you were competing at a beginner level.)
2. If you have competed at a cosplay contest in a higher-skill division solo, you may not enter into beginners.
3. You must have made at least 25% of your cosplay from scratch, with up to 75% street clothes permitted. No more than 50% of street clothes may be unmodified. 
4. You will have 45 seconds to strut your stuff! You may use as much or as little of that time as you would like. 
5. You will have 5 minutes privately with the judges to discuss your build.

Intermediate: 

1. You have competed in a cosplay contest and have won at least one award in craftsmanship or a beginner category award. You may also choose to enter this category based on your crafting experience.
2. If you have competed at a cosplay contest in a higher skill category solo, you may not enter intermediate.
3. You must have made at least 50% of your cosplay from scratch, with up to 50% street clothes permitted. No more than 25% of street clothes may be unmodified. 
4. You will have 45 seconds to strut your stuff! You may use as much or as little of that time as you would like. 
5. You will have 5 minutes privately with the judges to discuss your build.

Masters:

1. You have competed in a cosplay contest and have won four or more major awards (category, craftsmanship, or best in show). You may also choose to enter this category based on your crafting experience.
   1. If you have worked professionally in any costuming or in a fabrication field that is represented in your work, you are not eligible to enter any category other than masters.
2. You must have made at least 75% of your cosplay from scratch with up to 25% street clothes permitted. No street clothes may be unmodified. 
3. You will have 45 seconds to strut your stuff! You may use as much or as little of that time as you would like. 
4. You will have 7 minutes privately with the judges to discuss your build.

Performance: 

1. This category is judged solely on your performance.
   1. NO craftsmanship is considered. 
2. You will have up to 2 minutes for your performance.
   1. You will be allotted 30 seconds for set up and 30 seconds for tear down of the performance area.
      1. You MUST leave the performance area how you found it or you will be disqualified for placement. 
3. You will be asked to have around a paragraph of introduction that will be read aloud during your set-up time.
   1. This should contain a character or narrative set up for the audience. (Set the scene or atmosphere for everyone!)
4. ALL audio must be preapproved and must be PG.
   1. If your performance is deemed too suggestive by the judges or contest runners, it will be reviewed for disqualification.
      1. If you are unsure about something, just shoot us an email at cosplay@fococomiccon.com!
5. You may dance, sing, or do a skit in this category.
   1. If there is a type of performance that you are interested in doing that is not listed here, shoot us a message, and we can discuss if it can be admissible. 
6. Signups after 6pm on Friday are not permitted for the Performance category. 

1. Skit
   1. You may do a skit solo or with a maximum of 4-person group
   2. Any props must be able to be moved promptly and not pose a hazard to yourself, audience members or the performance area. 
   3. You must set up all props by yourself as we will be unable to provide assistance. 
   4. You must submit your blocking description.
   5. No live audio, all voice lines must be in the audio submitted.
      1. This means you cannot speak while on the stage, and only lip syncing is permitted. 
2. Dance
   1. Dances may be done solo or with a maximum 4-person group
   2. All dances must fit the PG rating. 
   3. You must submit your blocking description. 
   4. No live audio is permitted. 

If there are any questions that you may have, please email us at cosplay@fococomiccon.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Sign-up here!

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