Participate in
Cosplay Contest
General Info
Hello, dear cosplayers!
The deadline for the applications is Sunday 30.07.2023 23:59
To apply for the UniCon 2023 Cosplay competition please fill this online application form. By submitting the application you agree to the UniCon 2023 Cosplay Contest rules and event general rules.
You will get a confirmation letter when your application has been checked by our coordinators. If you haven’t received one, please contact us by email cosplay@unicon.lv.
We accept costumes of characters from movies, TV shows, games, anime, cartoons, visual novels, historical figures and celebrities, etc – any officially published or broadcast source. We also accept original characters and your original designs of already existing characters.
Several international cosplay contests preliminaries will be selected:
- Cosplay Central Crown Championships 2024 - Baltic region selection for C2E2 Chichago (US).
- Tournament of Champions - Latvian representative for YuniCon Vienna (Austria).
ONE COSTUME is not eligible for more than 1 prize. If you participate in Solo and Group category with the same costume - only one performance can take a prize, or the next best participant or cosband shall be selected instead.
The limit of performing with the same costume - no more than 2 times.
We will approach non-contest entry requests individually, please contact via email cosplay@unicon.lv with your ideas.
Costume pre-judging is only for the self made or heavily modified costumes and international qualifiers. Bought costumes are allowed in the general competition.
Contest participants are eligible for a discounted ticket - 10 EUR (can be purchased only at the event entrance).
You don't need to buy a ticket online, all registered cosplayers are subject to a discounted ticket which is available only at event entrance. Regular tickets are not applicable for stage performance.
If your application is not accepted for the contest you still can apply for Cosplay Masquerade during the event. Cosplay Masquerade participants are not subject to discounted tickets.
Stage size 14 x 6 m.
Don’t forget to have fun!
Application Process
To successfully apply for the cosplay contest you must do the following:
- Fill in the online form here.
Please provide us with your ACTIVE email address in the application form and make sure there are no typos in it. We might need to ask you some questions or request a change of files, so you must check your email regularly to make sure everything stays in order! Remember that communication is the key to success :)
Please remember, when submitting links through Google Drive, adjust your sharing settings, to “anyone with the link can view”, so we can access your files. We also recommend submitting a link to a folder where you can put all your files together.
- Contest categories:
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Solo - Maximum performance length – 1 minute.
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Duo (2 people) - Maximum performance length – 1 minute 30 seconds. Any duo where participants come from two different countries automatically qualifies for a Joint International Performance nomination!
-
Group (3-8 people) - Maximum performance length – 2 minutes 30 seconds.
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Cosplay Dance (1-8 people) – Maximum performance length – 1 minute 15 seconds.
The contestant can use helpers or stage squad in their performance, but the role of the helpers in the performance is minimal.
The limit of performing with the same costume - no more than 2 times.
- Add a link to your music file – ONLY in the .mp3 format. (No wav, m4a, wma, ogg or other format!). You can use this (or any other similar software) simple online .mp3 converter if you don’t know how to convert your music: http://audio.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp3
- Your character reference images. These images will represent you and your performance for the viewers and judges, imagine how they will look on the big screen, in front of a large audience. It is a great idea to select separate images for the judges and for the screen - for example, a full-body shot with clear details is a good image to pick for judges’ reference (example), and an action pose/instantly recognizable trademark of the character, picture that tells a story - is a wonderful pick for the screen (example). You can bring your folder with the picture to show to the judges. Picture has to be is good quality and size no less than full hd 1920x1080 for the screen. If pictures won't succeed with our rules and expectations we will replace them with different one. In case your sent image doesn't have the sufficient resolution we reserve the right to replace it.
- Video of your performance (you do not have to be in cosplay for this video, we just need to know what you are going to do on stage. If you have any special props, please include them in the video as well). Please note, that this is a very important step, as it plays a huge role in helping us decide who gets to go on stage. The quality of the video is not important (it’s fine to film it on your phone), but the content is.
- Optionally you can also send in cosplay progression pictures for this performance, so we could see how your cosplay has taken shape.
Please remember, when submitting links through Google Drive, adjust your sharing settings, to “anyone with the link can view”, so we can access your files.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! Our email address cosplay@unicon.lv and you are welcome to use it for any clarifications or file changes. If we do not receive everything by Sunday 30.07.2023 23:59, your application will be rejected.
We also accept original characters and your original designs of already existing characters (i.e. your fan art), BUT: a good description and adequate screen image are necessary. Remember - this image will represent your character to the whole audience, so it cannot be just a brief pencil drawing or a photo of your costume! The better you describe and present your character, the easier it will be for the judges to evaluate your hard work.
Remember, due to a large number of applicants the time slots will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis! If you urgently need a specific place in the program due to costume change/special effects/health/travel reasons, please tell us as soon as possible, so we can secure the place for you.
CCCC
Participants will have a chance to try out for the Cosplay Central Crown Championships Finals - and win a fully paid-for trip to represent Baltic Region in the Finals during Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) on 26 - 28 April 2024, Chicago, United States. A representative for the whole Baltic Region (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) will be selected.
Applicants must hold a Latvian/Lithuanian/Estonian permanent residence, be 18+ and not be involved with the organisation of UniCon for at least 12 months prior to the selection.
Full requirements and judging details are available here.
In order to apply for the Cosplay Central Crown Championship you have to put a mark in the performance application. Only solo performances can apply.
ToC
Participants will have a chance to try out for the Tournament of Champions and win a fully paid-for trip to represent Latvia at the finals during YuniCon in Vienna (Austria) on 21 October 2023.
Applicants must hold a Latvian permanent residence, be 18+ and not be involved with the organization of UniCon for at least 12 months prior to the selection.
Full requirements and judging details are available here.
In order to apply for the Tournament of Champions you have to put a mark in the performance application. Only solo performances can apply
Terms & Conditions
Remember that all props must be safe. All prop weapons have to be made of safe materials (plastic, lightweight wood, foam, etc). If you have a metal blade, make sure it is blunt. All your weapons will be checked by security at the event entrance, and any sharp blades, swords, pistols, guns, knives, axes and other piercing and slashing items will be confiscated until the end of the event. Pistols and guns have to be unloaded and totally safe for the audience, otherwise it will be confiscated and in the worst case authorities will be involved.
We do not allow any type of pyrotechnics to be used on stage. Not abiding by this rule will lead to an immediate ban from the competition.
Props and Helpers
On stage confetti, party poppers and glitter cannons are welcome. Use of liquids on stage will be discussed individually. If you are planning to throw candy or toys into the audience, please inform us in advance.
If you need to bring a helper, you may take 1 person per performance. Please provide us with the helper’s name and surname to make sure they can join you in the dressing room/backstage (Before the convention). All helpers will be registered and under no circumstances any unauthorized persons will be allowed into the cosplayer changing rooms unless specifically stated by a member of staff. If the helper is found to disturb the rehearsal process or cause inconveniences in the dressing room, they will be asked to leave the backstage area. Helpers are not subject to a discounted ticket.
Please note that microphones WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE for use during your performances.
Awards
Cosplay Central Crown Championship Qualifier - 1 place.
Tournament of Champions Qualifier - 1 place.
Best solo – 3 places.
Costume 50% Performance 50%
Best duo – 3 places.
Costume 50% Performance 50%
Best group performance – 3 places.
Costume 50% Performance 50%
Best cosplay dance – 3 places.
Costume 50% Performance 50%
Additional awards
Best Joint International Performance - 1 place
Any duo where participants come from two different countries automatically qualifies for a Joint International Performance nomination!
Best Anime/Manga character - 1 place
Best Film/Series character - 1 palace
Best Videogame character - 1 place
Best Original character - 1 place (if you wish to participate in this category please write “Original Character” in the "Fandom" section).
The limit of performing with the same costume - no more than 2 times.
IMPORTANT! One costume is not eligible for more than 1 prize. If you participate in Solo and Group category with the same costume - only one performance can take a prize, or the next best participant or cosband shall be selected instead.
Last but not least
Please provide us your ACTIVE email address in the application form and make sure there are no typos in it. We might need to ask you some questions or request a change of files, so you must check your email regularly to make sure everything stays in order! Remember that communication is the key to success :)
If you are a new cosplayer or have any issues with the application process, please don’t be shy to ask questions! Or coordinators will be happy to help you at cosplay@unicon.lv
We cannot wait to see what wonderful costumes you guys come up with this time! Good luck!
Please also read the following information.
The coordinators will not allow a participant to take part in the competition, if:
- They break the event rules;
- They break the laws of The Republic of Latvia;
- They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Any alcohol or narcotic substances are found in their possession;
- They behave in a disrespectful and/or provocative manner towards other participants or administration;
- They deliberately damage other participants’ costumes or props;
- They damage furniture, equipment or decorations of the venue;
- Their costume is unfinished;
- Their performance contains excessive aggression, calls to violence, pornography or profanity.
A participant may also be banned from further cosplay competitions at UniCon and WinterCon events for a duration, at the administration’s discretion.
The administration reserves the right to exclude a participant from the cosplay competition without prior notice or explanation.