Masquerade

Registration is closed for Otakuthon At Home Masquerade 2021. Don't miss this year's event, and you can start getting ready for next week!

We are pleased to announce that there will be a masquerade during Otakuthon At Home 2021.

Please read the following instructions attentively in order to fully understand how the Otakuthon At Home 2021 masquerade will take place.

What is a masquerade?

The Otakuthon Masquerade is an amateur costuming competition for anime, manga and gaming-related costumes as well as costumes inspired by such works. It is an opportunity to see cosplayers and costumers show off their superb skills in craftsmanship and their creativity.

Awards will be given out to recognize the work of the participants both in workmanship and presentation.

How Does the Masquerade Work?

• Registration will be open from May 15 until August 1, 2021, or until the event reaches capacity. There will be 50 available slots this year.
• The following information will be required at registration via the online form Otakuthon At Home will provide:
  • Contact information, public social media profile information and general information about the costume.
• Registered participants will have until August 1, 2021, to submit the following items (instructions on how to submit this information will be given in the registration confirmation email):
  • Progress book/Work in progress PDF, including 1-2 reference pictures (max 8 pages).
  • Video presentation (max 5 minutes) taking the judges through the key elements of the costume (can show details hard to see in pictures, explain construction, etc.) *This will not be broadcast.
  • A good quality photograph of the participant wearing the costume for broadcasting use.
  • Video of the costume being worn (max 1:30 minute) for use in the virtual masquerade event being broadcast on August 21, 2021. Please note the following criteria for this video:
    • High quality (MPEG or AVI & 1080p or 1080i)
    • Landscape orientation
    • Recorded in a well-lit space.
    • Light editing and special effects are permitted so long as they do not take away from showcasing the costume.
  • An isolated audio track for the video entry in high-quality MP3/MP4 format.

*NOTE: All the items above do not need to be submitted at the same time but the deadline for everything is August 1, 2021. Any submissions with missing or late items may be disqualified.

*Otakuthon reserves the right to refuse any entry/video. Unsure if your idea follows the guidelines? Please send an email to the Masquerade Director to check if it were accepted.

Other Rules

1. Due to the virtual nature of the event, people under 16 years of age at the time of registration may not participate in the masquerade this year, even with approval of their parents or legal guardians.
2. Provided that the government health regulations allow it at the time and place of recording the video, groups of maximum 4 participants will be accepted. The sanitary guidelines must still be strictly followed in the video (mask, physical distancing, etc.).
3. No flagrant nudity.
4. Each person may participate in only ONE entry during the Masquerade.
5. Contestants must absolutely respect submission deadlines.
   Tardiness will lead to disqualification.* **Note that Acts of God may, to an extent, mitigate this.
6. Commissioned costumes are allowed ONLY if the designer of the costume has filled out and signed the registration sheet. While the designer does not have to appear in the broadcast video, their input via the video presentation of the costume and supporting documentation are mandatory. 100% purchased costumes will NOT be accepted. Wigs and small accessories/jewel are exempted from this rule.
7. Professional costumers (those who receive at least 50% of their revenues from costuming) will not be eligible for prizes but may enter the “Out of Competition” category. However, as places are limited, the masquerade direction reserves the right to prioritize amateur contestants.
8. The Masquerade Director reserves the right to remove anyone from competition for any reason deemed sufficient that can include but is not limited to inappropriate, indecent, rude, racist or sexist behaviour. Threats and/or violence of any kind to staff, attendees and volunteers will not be tolerated and can result in immediate expulsion from the convention.
9. The decisions of the judges are final. Awards are selected for workmanship, presentation or a combination of both. The judges may opt not give out a “Best in Show” or a “Best in Division” award, or any award in a division if they feel none of the costumes entered are deserving of such award.

Registration

Register here (Registration started on May 15, 2021, at noon, EDT)

Awards Ceremonies

The award ceremonies will be streamed on Sunday, August 22, 2021 (hour to be determined). Prizes may be mailed or given in person during Otakuthon 2022.

Important Dates

• Registration: May 15 to August 1, 2021 (or until the event reaches capacity)
• All other items: August 1, 2021
• Masquerade: Saturday, August 21, 2021 (hour to be determined)
• Awards Ceremonies: Sunday, August 22, 2021 (hour to be determined)

Additional Information

Standard Division System