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Stars of Cosplay

Our Popularity Contest! Also our easiest contest to enter, simply sign up, have your photo taken for our slide show, and wear an entry sign so people know you're in the contest. Wander around the festival and people will know to vote for you.

Ideation Room 1 (Check-in)

Stars of Cosplay is a celebration of fan-loved creations where the community gets to crown its favorites. Show off the cosplay you love while connecting with fellow attendees who share your passion. Unlike other contests, there are no judges, no performances, and no stage, it’s just you, your cosplay, and a whole festival of fans eager to show their appreciation.

Awards

  • 2 x Stars of Cosplay winner
  • 2 x 1st runner up
  • 2 x 2nd runner up

Eligibility

  • Be in cosplay, have your photo taken, wear a sign.
  • You don't need to have made your own cosplay.
  • Otafest staff and volunteers may not enter the contest.
  • Inanimate objects, such as plush, drawings, or objects, may not enter the contest.
  • Animals, including service animals, may not enter the contest.
  • Harassing and/or bribing other attendees for votes is not allowed and you will be disqualified if you do so.
  • Make sure your costume or outfit is appropriate in accordance with Otafest's clothing policies.
  • If you change your outfit during the day to something other than what your picture portrays and the new outfit no longer meets eligibility requirements, you will be disqualified.
  • Changing into another cosplay or street clothes after the contest's voting period ends is permitted. You do not need to be in costume to receive your award at closing ceremonies.

Format

Signing up

Come to Cosplay HQ on Sunday (check the schedule for registration times) and let us know your name, character, and which team or group you wish to be in. We’ll give you a sign with your number on it and take your photo for the slideshow. After that, you’re all done and free to go enjoy the festival!

How voting works

After registration has finished, voting will take place at Cosplay HQ in the Ideation 1 room (this is where you should send folks who want to vote for you). People can check out the slideshow we’ve put together, see your amazing cosplay in person, or choose you from the voting list. It’s completely up to each voter, and we encourage everyone to go see their favorite cosplays in person before casting a vote.

Finding out if you’ve won

Once the voting period ends, we’ll tally up all the votes. We’ll then post the top 5 finalists from each category at the voting desk in the Cosplay HQ room, and in the Cosplay Repair Room. Finalists will also be contacted via SMS. You’ll need to return to Cosplay HQ to pick up a ticket that guarantees you and a guest a seat at Closing Ceremonies. If you don’t pick up your ticket, you won’t be guaranteed entry to the ceremony. Winners will be announced at Closing Ceremonies, so make sure to be there!

Registration

  • The most important thing is to have fun!
  • Choose a cosplay with good popular appeal. Obscure subjects may not capture the imagination of voters
  • Do not harass or bribe voters. You will be disqualified.
  • Stay in your outfit for the duration of the voting period.
  • Have fun (it's so important we say it twice) and be a good sport.

Registration is in-person at Otafest only

There is no pre-registration for this event. Sign up in Ideation 1 on Sunday!