Image & Media Use
By registering for the Cosplay Contest, all participants grant Anime Fargo permission to use photographs or video footage of their participation for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, and printed materials.
Enforcement
Any contestant found violating these rules may:
- Have their performance stopped
- Be disqualified from the contest
- Forfeit any awards won that year
- Be barred from future Anime Fargo contests (based on the severity of the violation and discretion of the Cosplay Coordinators and Anime Fargo Chairs)
Eligibility
To participate in the Anime Fargo Cosplay Contest, all contestants must meet the following eligibility requirements. These rules are in place to ensure fairness, safety, and a positive experience for everyone involved.
General Requirements
- All contestants must be registered attendees of Anime Fargo and present a valid Anime Fargo convention badge when reporting to the Green Room.
- Each contestant may only appear in one stage entry—either as a walk-on or a skit/performance. You may not enter both.
- All contestants must uphold Anime Fargo’s convention policies throughout the contest. Any violations of convention rules may result in disqualification.
Craftsmanship Eligibility
- To enter the Craftsmanship category, contestants must have made at least 70% of their costume themselves.
- All craftsmanship entries must attend their assigned prejudging block on Saturday.
- Groups entering Craftsmanship must ensure each member meets the 70% construction requirement and is present for prejudging.
Awards Eligibility
- Costumes that have previously won a major award—including Best in Show, 1st Place in any division, or Best Performance—at any convention are not eligible to receive a major award at Anime Fargo.
- Please be honest about any previous awards your costume has received. If you’re unsure whether a past award qualifies as “major,” contact the Cosplay Coordinators.
Content and Conduct
Behavior Guidelines
- All skits, performances, and cosplay presentations must be rated PG-13 or lower.
- No profanity, sexually explicit language, or offensive gestures are permitted on stage or as part of any costume.
- Contestants may not use stage time to make political, religious, or insulting statements. If you have questions regarding potential content for your performance, we strongly recommend checking the Cosplay Coordinators in advance.
- Respect fellow contestants, staff, judges, and audience members at all times.
- Maintain good sportsmanship
Dress Code Policy
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Socks, bare feet, or foot coverings without soles are not acceptable. This is for hygiene and safety.
- Costumes must fully and opaquely cover all private areas. As a rule of thumb:
- Coverage must be equal to or greater than what a standard two-piece swimsuit would provide.
- Material must not be sheer, transparent, or see-through in covered areas.
- Costumes or clothing may not display:
- Profane language or slurs
- Hate symbols
- Obscene or explicit content or imagery
Be mindful when portraying characters that wear religious, military, or culturally significant attire. Avoid stylized uniforms or symbols that may be interpreted as offensive, mocking, or insensitive.
The Cosplay Coordinators and Convention Staff reserve the right to request costume modifications, disqualify entries, or remove participants from the event if these standards are not met.
If you would like tips or advice about ways to limit wardrobe malfunctions, please keep an eye out for future guidelines.
Stage and Safety Rules
Prohibited Items
To protect contestants, staff, and venue property, the following are strictly prohibited:
- Fire, flame, smoke, fog, dry ice, wind machines, lasers, or pressurized gas/liquids
- Loose glitter (of any kind)
- Any messy, wet, oily, or powder-based substances
- Leaving the stage or entering the audience during your performance
- Jumping on or off the stage — use only the designated stage entrances and exits
Additional policies
- You may surprise the audience, but never surprise staff or judges
- Props or set pieces larger than handheld must be submitted for approval in advance
- No live steel or real weapons are allowed
Prop firearms
While allowed, prop firearms must:
- Be clearly fake and marked with an orange tip
- Never be pointed at the audience
- Keep fingers off the trigger at all times
Stage Combat
While allowed, stage combat must:
- Must be pre-approved by Cosplay Coordinators
- Must remain entirely on stage
- Must be safe for both performers and others