Pocket Con is Chicago's only comics convention for youth featuring the work of artists of color, women, and LGBTQ creators, and is produced through a partnership between Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and Chicago Public Library.  Pocket Con 2024 will be our thirteenth convention, and will be held downtown at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 11 am - 5 pm.  
Cosplay Contest Description

• Categories: Best Anime Character, Best Video Game Character, Best Pop Culture Character, Judges Choice Award

• One winner from each category will receive a $50 Home Depot gift card and a category medal

• Winners will be announced at Pocket Con 2024 on Saturday, December 7th, 2024

Rules & Information

1. All contestants must be over the age of 13

2. Costume must be at LEAST 25% made by the wearer to qualify for entry. Tell us how you crafted your outfit! Premade suits and commissioned costumes may enter for fun, but will not qualify for prizes. Discretion on what qualifies lies with the Pocket Con judges.

3. Presentations must not contain any profanity, extreme violence, or sexually explicit acts. All skits must remain PG-13. Pocket Con Staff reserves the right to remove contestants who violate these parameters.

4. Individual cosplay entries only are permitted. No group or couple entries will be eligible.

5. If you plan to carry a weapon, you must conform to the following: No handguns of any kind and no loaded weapons whatsoever. No airsoft rifles or realistic firearms (this is for everyone’s safety!). You must demonstrate that you can carry the weapon without injury to yourself or others.

6. By entering this contest, you agree that your likeness and image may be documented in photo and video by Pocket Con staff and used in future Pocket Con website, social media outlets, and other promotion materials, and that Pocket Con is not required to compensate those in the contest.

7. Submissions are due by Saturday, December 7th at 12:30 pm.

 

The Judges Scorecard

Costume Craftsmanship: Contestants will show off their craftsmanship. Costumes will be assessed on construction quality, cleanliness of seams, and attention to detail. Contestants are encouraged to show off all handmade elements of their costume. Commissioned or purchased costumes can enter for stage presentation, but are not eligible for prizes.
Overall Showmanship: Show us your spirit! This score is based on how well you embody the persona of the character through body language, posing, and speech.
Creative Process: Tell us how you made your costume. Describe what mediums, tools, or techniques you used on your project. Let us know your character’s back story and why you chose this outfit! This is where you can let the judges know why this character is your favorite. 

 

Submissions should include the following:

Entrant name, age, email (parent email for 13-17 y/o), Cosplay name, description of the creative process, photo of Cosplay entry, name of your character, and character reference Image

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Terry at pocketconcosplay@gmail.com.