Rules, T&C's, Awards and Categories

General rules

• The competition is open for applicants aged 11 years and above.
• Minors aged 17 years and under must have the event consent form filled with the competition application. Minors will be competing for the Junior Cosplayer Award.
• There are two Main Cosplay Categories: Pose and Skit
• Applicants may apply to compete in one category only.
• Group cosplays will be considered as one applicant.
• Cosplayers must be present and available at least 30 minutes before the start of the competition and must follow the instructions given by the Cosplay Competition Organisers.
• A Cosplay Catwalk will take place prior to the Cosplay Competition, where cosplayers present at the event may show off their costume without a competing element. Music for this event will be selected by the POP SCULPTCHA Organisation Team.
• Online completion of the registration form is required by not later than the 30/03/2024, Applications after the closing deadline will not be accepted.

Costume and Contest rules

• Costumes and props crafted by cosplayers are highly encouraged for this event.
• Crafted Cosplays will be awarded additional points in the competition.
• Applicants are responsible for providing proof of crafting (in the form of video clips and/or photos) with the competition application.
• Applicants are required to specify which parts of the costume and/or props were crafted by the cosplayer.
• Commissioned work is not considered as “crafted cosplay” and must be given due credit in the application process and during the competition.
• Music to accompany the performance (be it pose or skit) must be submitted in .mp3 format with the application. This must be 3 minutes in length (maximum).
• Performances and behaviour during the event (including costumes, props and music) must be tasteful and appropriate for a family-friendly event. Profanity (in the form of speech, gesturing or behaviour) is strictly forbidden and will result in immediate disqualification and, possibly, further action by the organisation team.
• “Profanity” also includes cursing and sexually inappropriate content; as well as discrimination or offensive speech, gesturing or behaviour of racial, gender, and/ or sexual nature.
• Applications (including costumes, props and music) will be reviewed and vetted by the organisation team and applications may be revoked at the organisation team’s discretion.
• All performances, pose and skits are to be between 1 and 3 minutes in length. The performance will start with the start of the accompanying music. 
• Performances which are shorter than 1 minute in length will be penalised during the judges’ scoring stage.
• Performances which are longer than 3 minutes will be interrupted by the host and penalised during the judges’ scoring stage.
• Should the cosplayer apply for a pose and perform a skit (or vice-versa), then the judges will consider the cosplayer for the latter category.
• The “Clever Crafter” Award is not guaranteed to be awarded by the judges and will only be exclusively awarded to any competitor who impresses the judges with innovative and creative crafting skills.
• Applicants are encouraged to contact the POP SCULPTCHA Cosplay Competition organisation team should there be any queries.

Stage rules

• Applicants are responsible to carry any props on and off stage without POP SCULPTCHA staff assistance. 
• Props which are considered unsafe or hazardous will not be allowed on stage. This decision will be at the discretion of the POP SCULPTCHA organisation team.
• Confetti, silly-string, streamers, sprays, foam, pyrotechnics, smoke, steam and any other item which can be considered dangerous, messy and/or will require clean-up on stage is not allowed at the event.
• Food and drinks are not allowed on stage.
• Pets or animals of any kind are not allowed on stage.
• Due to safety reasons, interacting with the crowd via the use of props is strictly forbidden. This also includes the throwing of items on- or off-stage.
• Non-adherence may result in confiscation of the items by the organisation teams which will not be released until the competitor is safely outside the event’s premises.
• POP SCULPTCHA and the MALTA STATUE COLLECTORS (as an event, and their respective organisation teams) are not liable for any injuries, incidents or mishaps that occur due to the participant’s negligence and/or willful ignorance.

Terms and conditions

Official POP SCULPTCHA judges have the sole authority to assign points to participating cosplayers and are privy to the final scores. The results and winners of the competition will be released on the same day, following the conclusion of the cosplay competition.

Cosplayers are urged to engage in a positive and fair-play mindset, displaying ethical and proper behavior both before, during, and after the cosplay competition. Mutual respect among participants is expected, and any form of unlawful misconduct will not be tolerated, resulting in disqualification and exclusion from the event.

POP SCULPTCHA retains the authority to disqualify any participant who fails to adhere to the competition rules or exhibits behaviour which lacks integrity, and/ or is disrespectful towards fellow participants, visitors, organizers, and/ or helpers.

By applying for this contest, you are giving your consent that any photos taken during the competition can be used for event promotional purposes by POP Sculptcha. Should you wish to revoke consent, applicants should contact POP Sculptcha or Malta Statue Collectors organiser teams accordingly.

Awards 

1st , 2nd and 3rd place for Skits

1st, 2nd and 3rd place for Poses

1st Junior Cosplayer Award 

2nd Junior Cosplayer Award

3rd Junior Cosplayer Award

(NOTE: Junior Category consists of ages between 11 – 15 year old)

Sub categories: 

Best Make Up & Special Effects (SFX)

Best Prop

Best Armor

Best Closet Cosplay

Clever Crafter Award