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Idol Festival

The Idol Festival showcases various idol, J-pop and K-pop dance cover groups. This is a fun, non-competitive platform to perform and is a fantastic opportunity for exposure, meeting new friends, and growing both individually and as a group.

Get ready to hit the stage! The Idol Festival is a showcase of J-pop, K-pop, and idol dance cover groups. Perform in a casual, low-pressure setting or go all-out for a competitive event!

Come ready to perform, and get ready for your moment in the spotlight!

Important note: The Idol Festival Showcase will be on an outdoor stage. All outdoor programming is weather permitting. There is no guarantee of an indoor alternative should the weather be deemed unsafe to perform and outdoor programming is cancelled.

Idol Festival at Otafest

General rules

  • CosplayCosplay is encouraged but not required!
  • Audio submission deadlineYou must have audio submitted in MP3 format prior to April 7.
  • Pre-registrationPre-registration is required. No day-of registrations will be accepted.
  • Be on timeFailing to show up to check-in will result in your performance being cancelled. No exceptions.
  • Performance timeAll entries are permitted 2 songs or a maximum of 10 minutes of performance time, whichever comes first. Additional time cannot be granted.
  • Admission to OtafestAll participants require valid admission to Otafest on the day of their performance.
  • Registration deadlineAll participants are required to be registered individually or with a group prior to April 7.
  • Performance datesPerformance dates are subject to change based on stage availability.
  • Spots are limited Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot. Should the event fill up, you will be placed on a waiting list.
  • Application periodApplications for Idol Festival open January 1 and close April 1.

Event-specific rules

Idol Festival Contest

  • Competitive event.
  • J-pop and Idol (Japanese) cover groups allowed.
  • Availability during Friday of Otafest.
  • Individuals can perform in maximum of one group.
  • Indoor Event.

Idol Festival Showcase

  • Non-competitive event.
  • J-pop, K-pop, and Idol cover groups allowed.
  • Availability during Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of Otafest.
  • Individuals can perform in maximum of two groups.
  • Outdoor Event.

What is allowed?

  • Dancing.
  • Singing in addition to dancing.
  • Jpop, Kpop, Idol (Vocaloid, Project Sekai, etc) music as permitted by the event type you're entering.
  • Self-choreographed dances.
  • Props (must still follow Otafest's policies, not make a mess, and not be difficult to clean up).
  • The Idol Festival Coordinator may make changes to any of the above without notice, or deem music/dance inappropriate for the selected rating of the event.

Format

Performances are scheduled consecutively. Individuals are allowed to enter either the contest or the Showcase, but not both.

Competitors will have their entire setlist judged, regardless of total performance time.

If Idol Festival receives more entries than available time, one of the following will occur:

  • A waitlist will be created, or
  • Idol Festival will be split into two events; The Idol Festival Competition on Friday in Main Events, and the Idol Festival Showcase on Sunday on the Outdoor Stage”

In the event Idol Festival receives many entries, audition videos will be used to select participants.

The maximum duration of an Idol Festival event is 2 hours. Event time is subject to change based on stage availability. All participants require valid admission for the day of their performance, no exceptions. Any changes to the event will be communicated via email.

Check-in

Check-in for both events is required on the day of the event.

Participants will have the opportunity to double-check audio for any errors during check-in. Additionally, any changes to the event will be communicated at this time, including cancellation of outdoor events, location changes, or availability in indoor event if scheduled on the same day.

No changes to setlist order, addition of songs, or of members to groups will be accepted during check-in. However, you may request to drop song(s) or members during the check-in process.

Participants who fail to check in will lose the opportunity to perform. If something prevents you from attending the check-in time, email idolfestival@otafest.com as soon as you know, prior to the end of the check-in time. Emails received after check-in ends will not be considered.

Option to compete

If there are enough participants, the competitive aspect of the event will continue. In the event that there are not enough competitive entrants, non-competitive entries will be scheduled in the Idol Festival Contest. Competitive entries will perform before non-competitive entries, similar to the Cosplay Contest’s walk-ons before skits methodology.

Please note that the contest will only move forward if there is enough interest. In the event Idol Festival Contest is cancelled, participants will be informed that the event is changing to a non-competitive event.

Categories

Depending on the number of entries, participants may be divided into solo vs group categories, that would then be further divided into 3 sub-categories (Novice, Apprentice, and Idol)

Novice (beginner category)

  • Has never participated in a competition before
  • Has never won an award before

Apprentice (intermediate category)

  • Has participated in a competition before
  • Has won fewer than 3 awards

Idol (master category)

  • Has participated in a competition before
  • Has won more than 3 awards

Please note, these are only guidelines to help participants determine which category best fits. Final placement of the participant into a category is determined solely by the coordinator.

Awards

Unless the Idol Festival Contest does not proceed, the following awards will always be available to win:

  • Best Beginner
  • Best Intermediate
  • Best Advanced
  • Judges Choice
  • Best In Show

The number of available awards and/or wording of awards may vary.

Judging criteria

Groups are judged on several categories. If a category does not apply, it will not affect the group’s overall score. To maintain fairness, all final scores are presented as a percentage.

  • VocalsWere vocals well rehearsed? Did they add to the performance?
  • PerformanceWas the performance well rehearsed? Did movements look refined?
  • EnjoyabilityHow engaging was the performance? Was the audience engaged?
  • SynchronizationWere performers in-sync? How were position changes handled?
  • Stage PresenceHow comfortable were the performers on stage? How did stage presence add to the performance? How engaging were the performers?
  • Stage UseHow well did the performer(s) use the stage? Was the stage used at all?

All categories are scored 1 to 5 (or N/A). The lowest any group can score is 20%.

Audio

All audio you wish to use for your performance must be submitted via the application form or emailed to idol.festival@otafest.com prior to April 7, 2027. We cannot accept any last-minute changes, or changes submitted after this date.

Only audio submitted on the form or via email will be accepted, we cannot accept other forms of audio submission (e.g. USB stick).

When are groups chosen?

Groups will receive an acceptance, rejection, or waitlist email by April 30. If this timeline changes, you will be notified via email.

Frequently asked questions

How many songs am I allowed to perform for the Idol Festival Contest?

The rules regarding performance time are the same for both Idol Festival events. All groups are permitted 2 songs or 10 minutes of performance time, whichever comes first.

Do all of my songs get judged for the contest?

Yes! If you are competing, your entire setlist will be judged.

Both of my groups want to enter the Idol Festival Contest, can you make an exception?

Unfortunately we cannot. Participants are limited to performing with a single group to keep the contest fair for everyone.

I missed the deadline to apply! Is it too late?

If you have just missed the deadline, you may still be able to be added to the waitlist for the event. Send an email to idolfestival@otafest.com to inquire.

Joining the waitlist does not guarantee entry. We will only contact you if a spot becomes available after initial applications have been processed.

Can I still make changes after the deadline?

It depends on the change you want to make.

You can still make these changes after the deadline:

  • Remove a song from your setlist.
  • Reorder your setlist.
  • Remove a group member.

We cannot accommodate these changes after the deadline:

  • Swapping songs.
  • Swapping or adding new group members.
I can’t make the check-in time. Can I still perform?

Unfortunately, groups that miss the designated check-in time will not be permitted to perform. We are unable to make exceptions for late arrivals.

Can I see my scores from the contest?

Yes! To request your judging card, please send an email to idolfestival@otafest.com and specify the name of your group.

I participated in a past Idol Festival. Can I still see my score?

You can inquire about past judging scores by emailing idolfestival@otafest.com. Please include the name of your group and the year you participated.

While we do our best to maintain all records, we cannot guarantee that we have documentation for every year.

Can I get a recording of my performance?

While we can’t guarantee every performance is filmed, you can request your video by emailing idolfestival@otafest.com.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for our team to search for the footage and send it to you.

Terms & conditions

Click to expand - terms & conditions
  1. GENERAL GUIDELINES
    1. Setlist Approval
      1. Your complete setlist must be submitted with your application.
      2. If any song is deemed inappropriate, the Idol Festival coordinator will contact you to revise the setlist. A failure to provide an appropriate alternative may result in your application being rejected.
    2. All-Ages Content Mandate
      1. All performances must be strictly appropriate for a general, all-ages audience.
      2. If a performance is deemed inappropriate during the event, the Idol Festival coordinator has the absolute discretion to cut the music and end the performance immediately. The group will be asked to leave the stage and the remainder of their setlist will be forfeit.
  2. LOGISTICS AND CONDUCT
    1. Mandatory Check-in
      1. All groups must check in during the time slot specified in their acceptance and follow-up emails.
      2. Groups that do not check in on time will not be permitted to perform.
    2. Substance Policy
      1. Group members are forbidden from consuming alcohol or drugs, or being intoxicated during any scheduled Idol Festival activity. This includes check-in, pre-show meetings, and the performance block itself.
      2. Any individual or group found violating this rule will be immediately disqualified from performing and may be subject to disciplinary action.
  3. WAITLIST POLICY
    1. Confirmation Required
      1. If your group is placed on the waitlist, you must email to confirm your acceptance of the waitlist spot by the date provided.
      2. Groups that fail to confirm their spot will be removed from the waitlist under the assumption they are no longer interested.
  4. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
    1. Groups may be subject to disciplinary action for contravening any article in these terms & conditions.
    2. Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to:
      1. A permanent ban from participating in any future Idol Festival event.
      2. A temporary ban of a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years from participating in any Idol Festival event.
  5. PROPS AND EQUIPMENT
    1. Prop Policy
      1. All props must comply with the general Otafest Props Policy.
      2. Props must be easy to clean up. You are responsible for leaving the stage exactly as you found it.
      3. The Idol Festival team reserves the right to reject the use of any prop at any time, without notice.
    2. Liability and Damages
      1. You use props at your own risk. Otafest is not liable for any damage to your props or any injury caused by them.
      2. Otafest will seek financial compensation for any damages your props cause to the stage, lighting, or any other festival equipment.
  6. COMMUNICATION
    1. Official Channel
      1. All official communication must be sent to and from our official email: idolfestival@otafest.com.
    2. Submission Changes & Emergencies
      1. Any changes to your application must be communicated to us before the deadline.
      2. In an emergency that prevents you from performing, you must contact us as soon as possible. Failure to do so may be treated as a “no-show” and result in disciplinary action.
  7. DISCLAIMER
    1. The Idol Festival team reserves the absolute right to approve, deny, reschedule, or cancel any performance at any time, for any reason.

Idol Festival application

Click here to apply