RULES

JUDGING

1. Before the competition, competitors must submit comprehensive reference photos of their character and any possible accessories/props to the competition organizers, allowing the judging panel to evaluate the costume created by the competitor. Submitted images must show the entire character and all parts of the costume. Photo collages are permitted, provided it can be proven that the images are based on the same costume.

2. Competitors must also submit a completed pre-information form to the competition organizers, which the judges will review independently before the pre-judging on the event day.

3. Judging on the event day occurs in two sessions. Competitors will meet the judges only once during the day before the performances in pre-judging, where the competitors' costumes will be evaluated separately. Judges will assess the performances during the competition after having seen all performances. Competitors must participate in pre-judging in full costume along with all accessories/props. Each competitor has eight (8) minutes allotted for costume evaluation. During the evaluation, judges may ask questions about the execution and final outcome of the costume. They may also touch the costume with the competitor's permission.

4. During the judging process, photos of the competitor's costume will be taken with a mobile phone from the front and back to assist in evaluation. Additionally, handheld props or accessories may be photographed separately. Photos taken during the judging will not be published or spread outside of the judging process.

5. Performances will be evaluated during the competition. After the competitors have performed, the judges will discuss and agree on one (1) winner and one (1) runner-up for both the NCC and E2C qualifiers. The judges' selections will be influenced by the competitors' costumes and performances according to the scoring rules.

6. The judging panel will not take into account the competitor's previous experience or challenges related to the costume's creation — the final result of the costume is what matters.

Applicable Only to NCC Final

1. If a competitor is selected to represent Finland at the NCC finals, they may either

   a. reuse the costume and performance they used in the Finnish qualifiers or

   b. create an entirely new costume and/or performance for the finals.

Applicable Only to E2C Final

1. If a competitor is selected to represent Finland at the E2C finals, they must prepare a new performance for the finals. However, they may reuse the costume they used in the Finnish qualifiers or alternatively create an entirely new costume for the finals.

SCORING OF THE COMPETITION

• Costume: 40% of points

• Structure and quality of craftsmanship

• Attention to detail, proportions, and fit

• Assistants’ costumes are not evaluated

• Performance: 40% of points

• Content of the performance; is the performance understandable, how well is the narrative arc handled, and how well does the performance fit the nature of the source material

• Parody is allowed and will be judged based on how skillfully it parodies the source material and its nature.

• Stage performance; how the sounds, music, stage props, and the use of the stage create atmosphere and drive the story forward

• Stage expression; how the competitor presents themselves with body language and facial expressions

• Use of assistants; does the assistant distract from the competitor and is the use of the assistant justified

• Likeness and faithfulness to the source material: 10% of points

• How well the competitor embodies the character through their costume and performance

• Eligibility: 10% of points

• The competitor's positive attitude, adherence to schedules and instructions, and willingness to communicate in English

COSTUME AND HANDHELD PROPS

Costume

1. Competitors may participate with a costume they have previously competed with. However, competitors are not allowed to compete with a costume that has won a major competition qualification and/or has been awarded in a major competition final (Extreme Cosplay Gathering, Nordic Cosplay Championships, Finnish Cosplay Championships, World Cosplay Summit, Cosplay World Masters, EuroCosplay Championships, International Cosplay League, Europa Cosplay Cup, etc.). 

2. Competitors must make their costume entirely by themselves, including all handheld props, and must be able to provide an account of the costume's creation process to the judging panel. When using automated production tools, such as a 3D printer or embroidery machine, competitors must also create the files used in these machines by themselves.

3. Purchased and modified costumes and props are not permitted.

4. The competitor's costume must be finished when they arrive at the competition venue. However, damages incurred during travel may be repaired after arrival.

Character Selection

1. The selected character must be a fictional character from an officially published source, and published images must be presented as references for the judging panel. Unofficial characters are not allowed in the competition, and characters or costumes designed by the competitor themselves are therefore prohibited.

2. Offensive costumes or makeup are prohibited. For any additional questions regarding this prohibition, please contact the competition organizers.

Props and Their Safety

1. The use of real weapons in the competition is strictly prohibited. Weapon replicas that resemble realistic weapons must be marked with red tape, and the barrels of the weapons must be blocked. The competition organizers will assist with marking of the props on the competition day if necessary. 

2. Realistic props or weapon replicas are allowed only during the performance on stage and during official photoshoots. At other times, such props must be kept hidden or stored safely in the cosplay backstage area.

3. When transporting the aforementioned props between the photo shoot area, cosplay backstage, and the performance stage, they must be kept hidden, and the competitor must ensure they can be transported safely.

4. Please familiarize yourself with Comic Con Finland's safety rules in the FAQs.

Applicable Only to NCC Final

1. It is recommended that the character is not a genderbend version or gijinka version of the character unless this version is part of the officially published source.

2. It is also recommended that the character comes from a source where the character has a backstory, and is not merely from a drawing, painting, or other sources where the character lacks a clear narrative background.

3. Ignoring these recommendations may negatively affect the scoring of the evaluated categories.

Applicable Only to E2C Final

1. Characters based on individual drawings, paintings, or other sources where the character lacks a narrative backstory (e.g., Sakizo, Scissors Crown, etc.) are only allowed with special permission.

2. The character must not be a genderbend version or gijinka version unless this version is part of the officially published source.

PERFORMANCE

Planning and Execution of the Performance

1. Competitors must prepare a performance that is 90-150 seconds long (1:30-2:30 minutes), depending on the qualifying competiton.

2. Competitors will receive advance information regarding the dimensions of the stage and background video fabric.

3. Background video must be used in the performances. The video can include images or video clips. Bright flashing lights and strobing effects in the video are prohibited.

4. If the performance includes dialogue, the competitor must produce a high-quality sound track. Poor quality or unclear sound tracks may negatively affect the performance score. The dialogue must be in either English or Finnish. An exception can be made to the language of the performance if the original backing track is a song that was originally performed in another language. If subtitles are used in the performance, they must appear on the background video. There will be no separate display or screen for the subtitles. The use of an external voice actor is allowed, but the script must be the competitor’s own work. It is not possible to use a microphone in the performance; all dialogue and singing must be included in the sound track.

5. Using generative AI tools in any video or audio material submitted to the competition is prohibited. If any contestant's audio/video material raises suspicion of such use, the competition organizers may ask them to present some kind of documentation like files, images and/or recordings as proof of the making process.

6. The video and audio of the performance must be in the same file in MP4 format. Competitors must submit the file in advance by a later announced deadline. Additionally, it is recommended that competitors save the file as a backup on an external USB drive and bring it to the competition.

7. Microphones and live sound cannot be used in the performance; all dialogue and songs must be included in the audio track.

8. Competitors must submit their lighting requests in advance by the given deadline. Competitors should plan their own lighting preferences. Additionally, competitors may use background videos to create colored lights on stage if desired.

9. Competitors must also inform in advance what types of stage props will be included in the performance. Comic Con Finland may lend some stage elements for the performance, such as a table or chair, on a case-by-case basis. However, please ensure availability in advance from the organizers.

Use of the Stage

1. The performance must take place on stage and should not extend beyond the edges of the stage, such as into the audience or the area between the stage and the audience.

2. Fire effects, sparks, smoke, as well as any pyrotechnics and laser lights are prohibited. During performances, nothing that requires cleaning, such as glass, sand, liquid or powdery substances (fake blood, powders, fake snow, etc.), glitter, or flower petals can be spread on stage. If a competitor violates this rule, they will be disqualified from placing in the competition.

3. Stage preparation must not exceed 30 seconds. The performance will begin immediately after the competitor's introduction. Props will be brought to the stage on behalf of the competitor.

4. Stage props or set pieces must be light enough that 2-4 people can easily transport them onto the stage and back off during the performance change.

1. Example: Two (2) tables, each requiring two (2) carriers, totaling four (4) carriers.

5. The maximum width for fixed stage props, when transported on and off the stage, is approximately 200 cm, and the corresponding maximum height is approximately 200 cm. Please note that if your prop is close to either of the allowed maximum dimensions, safely transporting it may require more than two people, which reduces the number of other props. The competition organizers have the right to prohibit a competitor from using any prop in their performance if transporting it on or off the stage is deemed too challenging or dangerous. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that the props are durable and stable enough for transport. Please contact the competition organizers if you are unsure about the suitability of your props.

6. If a competitor personally provides a protective and easily movable cover (e.g., tarp) for the stage during their performance, minor mess may be permitted. However, this always requires special permission from the competition organizers. Please contact the competition organizers if you wish to discuss special permission.

7. Competitors must be able to move onto the stage and perform in their costume without external assistance. The costume must allow movement up and down stairs.

Assistants

1. In the qualifiers, competitors may use one (1) or more assistants in their performance.

   a. Assistants may appear on stage as part of the performance and may be on stage for the entire performance.

   b. Assistants may or may not wear cosplay costumes during the performance, and their costumes will not affect the judging.

   c. If assistants are used in the performance, they must not be idle or without a designated task during the performance. However, assistants must not have a role equal to or greater than that of the competitor; the distinction between the competitor and the assistants must be clearly evident in the performance, and the main focus of the performance must remain on the competitor. Failure to comply with this rule may negatively impact performance scores.

2. Please note that the use of assistants is not permitted in the E2C finals.

   a. In the E2C qualifiers, competitors may use one (1) or more assistants in their performance.

COMPETITOR BENEFITS

1. Competitors participating in the preliminaries will receive a weekend pass to Comic Con Finland 2025. If a competitor has already purchased a ticket to the event, the ticket vendor's terms and conditions will apply.

2. In the backstage area of the cosplay competitions, competitors will have access to light snacks, both sweet and savory, as well as refreshments.

3. If a competitor requires an assistant, the assistant's details must be provided to the competition organizer in advance. The assistant must have a paid ticket to the event on the day of the competition.

ADDITIONALLY

1. The competitor must be at least 18 years old by the competition day (May 10, 2025) and must have either Finnish citizenship or a permanent residence permit in Finland. If you have represented another country in international cosplay competitions, please review the original rules in English for further details.

2. The winners of the preliminaries commit to participating in a winners’ interview in their competition costume the day after the competition (May 11, 2025) at Comic Con Finland. The interview does not require any prior preparation from the winners.

3. These rules apply to the NCC and E2C Finnish qualifiers held as part of Comic Con Finland 2025. The qualifiers will lead to the NCC finals taking place at NärCon Sommar in Sweden in July 2025 and the E2C finals taking place at the Toulouse Game Show in France in December 2025. Please remember to check the original English rules regarding each final and representation in the events' own rulebooks.

   a. NCC Finals Rulebook

   b. E2C Finals Rulebook

The competition is organized by Cosvision ry in collaboration with Comic Con Finland.