APRIL 1, 2023 • WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER • NORTH CAROLINA
WILMINGTON GEEK EXPO COSPLAY CONTEST
GENERAL RULES
The rules on this page are subject to change, if you are interested in participating, please check the cosplay section of the website often to ensure you are aware of any updated/added/changed rules.
Be advised that signing up for any cosplay contest is an affirmation that you agree to adhere to the rules presented on the Wilmington Geek Expo website as well as any decisions made by cosplay staff prior to, or during, Wilmington Geek Expo.
All cosplay events/panels have the potential to be photographed/filmed/recorded in some fashion. These recordings may be used in future galleries or promotions. Signing up for, and/or attending, any cosplay event is done with the understanding that recording could occur at any time and permission is tacitly given for the participant’s likeness to be used.
You must be a registered Wilmington Geek Expo attendee in order to compete. Each member of your group must have a wristband, badge, or other form of attendee membership.
All costumes must cover “swimsuit areas” – no nudity. Body-paint costumes are not eligible for craftsmanship.
The contest is open to characters from published works; movies, TV shows, comic books, cartoons, video games and card games.
Wilmington Geek Expo adheres to the “PG‐13 rule” when it comes to language and hand gestures on stage. Violation of this rule may cause you to be disqualified from the competition.
During the contest enter and exit the stage at the designated points only. Costumes must be handled by the contestant or by handler(s) the contestant brings to help. Handlers are required to be registered attendees of the convention, and Wilmington Geek Expo cannot provide on-stage assistants.
Contestants are not allowed to throw anything off the stage, nor use projectiles or use anything on stage that will leave a mess. This includes (but is not limited to) liquids, glitter and confetti.
No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals or similar special effects can be used during the competition; this includes smoke/smog machines and flash powder. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and be asked to leave the convention area depending on the severity of the incursion. All prop weapons must conform to the Wilmington Geek Expo prop policies, including being checked.
Children (age 15 and below, see Children’s Cosplay Competition for more details) who need a parent to accompany them on stage will need to compete in the Children’s Costume Competition instead of the main stage Costume Contest. However, parent/child teams are allowed to compete in the main stage competition together.
CATEGORIES
BEST ADULT COSPLAY AGES 16 AND UP
BEST GROUP COSPLAY 3 MEMBERS OR MORE
BEST KID COSPLAY AGES 15 AND UNDER
JUDGING TIME AND LOCATION
Cosplay Contest will be held Saturday in the Exhibit Hall. At the Main Stage from 2pm to 4pm.
Show off your dance moves at 4pm while the judge’s deliberate to choose this year’s cosplay winners.
PRIZES
Best Adult Cosplay 1st Place Trophy and $100 Cash Prize 2nd Place Trophy and $50 Cash Prize
Best Kid Cosplay 1st Place Trophy and $100 Cash Prize 2nd Place Trophy and $50 Cash Prize
Best Group Cosplay 1st Place Trophy and $100 Cash Prize
2023 WILMINGTON GEEK EXPO COSPLAY JUDGES
Wilmington Convention Center 10 Convention Center Dr Wilmington, NC 28401