Summary of award categories

See special awards on separate page

Workmanship / Stage Presentation
Young Fan / Costumers 12 and younger. This is our children’s Cosplay Contest. All young participants must have adult supervision. The majority of the costume must be made/significantly modified by the contestant. / Participants 12 and younger. This is our children’s Cosplay Contest. All young participants must have adult supervision. Costume can be made/significantly modified by an adult.
Novice / Costumers with little to no experience, and anyone who has never won an award in a costume contest. / First time performers and/or have only been on stage a few times, and anyone who has never won an award in a costume contest.
Apprentice / Costumers with moderate costume experience. A winner of two “Best of Novice” awards competes as a Apprentice. / Costumers with moderate stage experience. A winner of two “Best of Novice” awards competes as a Journeyman.
Journeyman / Costumers with significant costume experience. A winner of two “Best of Apprentice” awards competes as a Journeyman. / Costumers with significant stage experience. A winner of two “Best of Apprentice” awards competes as a Journeyman.
Master/ Pro / Skilled costumers with extensive experience, several awards, or persons who make their living making clothing or costumes compete as a Master/ Pro. If you have won “Best of Journeyman” twice in local/regional conventions, you should compete as a Master/ Pro. / Experienced or professional actors compete as a Master/ Pro. If you have won “Best of Journeyman” twice in local/regional conventions, you should compete as a Master/ Pro.

* based loosely on the Costumers Guild rules

Special Awards - These additional awards are granted at the discretion of Judges.

* these awards are not necessarily awarded every year, only if a particular costume or performance meets criteria

Best in Show / Judges determine this based on a blend of both Workmanship & Presentation. Not necessarily granted to any of the individual category winners, judges reserve this for best combination of all. It is not unheard of for a Novice or Apprentice to win this category.
GOHJ’s Pick * / Any Guest Of Honor Judge may choose to give special recognition for a costume or presentation that simply speaks to them as an individual. In general, the award granted is something specially provided by that GOH. Often given to someone who has just missed winning a particular category.
True to Form* / A clearly above average job of creating an accurate recreation of a costume &/or presentation.
Mash-up Master* / Impressive skill at combining at least 2 or more fan references in costume &/or presentation
Adapt Adept* / Reduce-Reuse-Recycle - an exceptional combining & repurposing of pre-made or pre-built costumes, clothing, equipment &/or scripting into an entirely new thing.