Cosplay Contest

Thanks for your interest in the annual Midwest GameFest Online Cosplay Contest! Needless to say, cosplayers and gamers have a lot in common, and we seek to strengthen those bonds with our annual contest.

Tell your friends by sharing the Facebook Event.

Photo courtesy Lothlorien Woods Cosplay

Sign-Ups

Submission deadline is 12:00 PM CT Friday, December 8, 2023.

We will post the parade of pictures and videos Friday evening and announce our winners on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Facebook event and in the #cosplay-text Discord channel.

Note: We will also post them below when time allows.

How to Participate

1. Get a Badge
   Participants must have a badge. Single-day badges are only $2, and discounts are available that can get it down to nothing. Get your badge here.
2. Sign-up to Participate
   Let us know on the Facebook page that you'll be entering. We can connect with you that way and know to expect your submission.
3. Submit Your Cosplay.
   Email your pics and videos and introductions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Online Convention Space

While our Fall in-person event is hosted in Kansas City, our Spring online event is hosted via Discord, a free text, audio, and video service. Discord is a web-based service that also has great desktop and mobile apps. You don't need anything more than the cell phone, tablet, or web browser you're using right now. There's nothing to download or hook up, but a mic and headset would be great. We use a number of online virtual tabletops (VTTs) including Roll20, Tabletop Simulator, and more (game hosts decide).

» Learn About Discord

» Join the Discord Server

Prizes

Midwest GameFest is offering cash prizes for three levels this year. the Craftmanship, Judges' Choice, and Beginner. Winners must be present to receive their award.

• Best In Show (Craftmanship Level): $50
• Judges' Choice 1st Place: $30
• Judges' Choice 2nd Place: $20
• Best Beginner: $10
• Best Runway Model: $10

Craftsmanship Category

Enter our Craftsmanship Category to be considered for Best In Show (aka Masters) level. This is for people who have made at least 75% of their cosplays and props. Send us pics of your cosplay, detailed work in progress pics, and explain to us your process.

Judges' Choice Category

Feel you are not a total newb but no where near to having 75% or more of your cosplay hand made or built from scratch? This category is for you. This is not solely just for intermediate craftsmanship people but it does help. So don't feel intimidated. It is just a nice medium for people who feel in between being a total newb and being a total master! Send us a few pics of you in your cosplay, some in progress pics if you have any, and explain to us your process.

Beginner Category

Testing the waters of cosplay crafting? You say you can't sew much, but you totally creatively pieced your cosplay together using nothing but the things in your closet or from the thrift store? What? You did not build that armour or prop totally from scrath but you totally modified or repurpoused something you had laying around and turned it into something? This category is for you. Send us a few pics of you in your cosplay, some in progress pics if you have any, and explain to us your process.

Important

• Don't forget to to tell us who your character is and what Fandom they are from.
• Mashup and OG characters are absolutely welcomed!
• Be sure to let us know what name you go by when we present your cosplays on our Facebook and Discord pages. We will post our favorite pics and videos and that will be our cosplay parade!

Judges

Judges will be announced as we get closer, so check back soon!

Contest Rules

There are really very few rules this year... except to have fun! This year's contest is casual and while we encourage people to create their cosplays and display their craftsmanship, we want every type of cosplayer to feel like they have something to offer even if they are not cosplay crafters. Whether you make everything from scratch, piece stuff together from the thrift store, or purchase your costume from the local costume shop, you are all encouraged to enter our cosplay contest. Everyone will have a fair chance to win something.

All cosplay contestants must follow our standard Cosplay Policy in addition to the following:

Requirements

• Contestants must have a weekend or Saturday badge in their name. These can be purchased at the event or online.
• Contestants must be 13 years or older to enter.
• If under 16, contestants must have a legal guardian present.
• If under 18, contestants must have parental permission to enter.
• Cosplays can be from any genre: anime, books, comics, games, movies, etc.
• Cosplays must pass the weapons check.

General

• Our cosplay staff has the right to disqualify anyone for any reason.
• We reserve the right to add modify rules as necessary.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about your cosplay, email our Cosplay Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..