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Submission Rules

  • Applicant must be a cosplay photographer.
  • Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • Applicant may submit up to 2 photographs.
  • To be valid, photos must be submitted through the online application form.
  • The photo must feature at least one person in cosplay and must clearly show the costume is worn; heavy photoshop that creates the costume is not allowed. Original characters (OC) are allowed as long as it is clear that the person is wearing a costume.
  • All people depicted in the photograph must agree to the use of the photo for these purposes and must be at least 18 years old. By submitting the application, the photographer confirms that the photographed person or people agree with the use of the photo for this purpose.
  • All photos must be original works. You may not submit an image that you edited but that was photographed by someone else.
  • The background must not be created with generative tools, but added elements (such as a flying bird in the background) are allowed. These elements must not be the most prominent part of the photo, and their quantity must not cover most of the background. All added elements must be disclosed on submission.
  • AI-based features (such as “generative fill” or “remove tool”) may be used only to a limited extent for retouching. Major changes using AI, such as a completely generated background or significant costume parts, are not allowed. All added elements must be disclosed on submission.
  • Entrants must disclose if AI tools were used and to what extent; the Organizer may disqualify entries that misrepresent the origin.
  • The photo must not contain vulgar, explicitly sexual, or controversial content (religion, racism, violence, politics, etc.), pornographic content, hate speech, real-life violence, content illegal under local law.
  • Submitted photographs must not contain watermarks, logos, signatures, names, social media handles, URLs, QR codes, borders, frames, or any other identifying text or graphic elements.
  • Combining multiple separate photographs into a collage is not allowed — for example, comic-style layouts or combining several photos into one contest entry. Exception is “Narrative Sequence” category.
  • Organizer may request original RAW files or original unedited files to verify authenticity and manipulation; failure to provide them when requested is grounds for disqualification.
  • Entries that violate rules, copyright or contain prohibited content will be disqualified. Decisions of the jury/organizer are final.
  • Entrant warrants authorship and required permissions. Entrant indemnifies Organizer against any claims arising from the entry. Organizer shall not be liable for indirect, incidental or consequential damages.
  • By submitting you accept all contest rules; organizer’s decisions are final. Organizer reserves the right to modify rules, cancel or postpone the contest.

Indemnity & Liability Limitation

  • By submitting, the entrant warrants that they own the rights to the entry and have obtained any necessary releases. The entrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Organizer, its officers, agents, representatives and assigns from and against all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of any breach of these warranties or any claim by a third party related to the entry.
  • In no event shall Organizer its officers, agents, suppliers or partners be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with the contest or entries, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The organizer’s total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the contest shall not exceed zero euro.

Categories

Each category might have their own submission rules

That Should be Printed

Images that demand to be displayed in physical form. This category honors photographs with exceptional composition, color accuracy, and technical quality that would make stunning prints. Think gallery-worthy images with perfect sharpness, dynamic range, and visual impact.

Landscape

Cosplay photography set against striking natural or cityscape environments. This category highlights how character and location work together to create unforgettable imagery. If your photo balances both cosplay and scenery – and you’re unsure which aspect stands out more – this is the right category.

Compositing

Where photography meets digital artistry. This category is for images that seamlessly blend multiple photographic elements, 3D renders, or VFX to create fantastical scenes. All photographic elements must be captured or made by you, with real people as subjects.

Category Submission Rules

  • Subjects who act as a background are allowed to be created in 3D or composed.
  • Backgrounds created with Generative AI tools are not allowed.

Atmospheric Arts

Master the art of atmospheric effects. This category focuses on creative use of smoke, fog, and vapor to enhance mood and drama in cosplay photography. Showcase your ability to work with challenging elements and capture fleeting moments.

Narrative Sequence

Photography that tells a story through emotion, action, or progression. The focus is on narrative over aesthetics, drawing the viewer into a moment that suggests what’s happening and what comes next. If you’re not sure whether your image is a photo or a screenshot from a movie, this is the right category.

Category Submission Rules

  • A single picture of 3-4 pictures stacked in a column accepted as a submission telling a single story.

Color Unleashed

Celebrate bold and masterful use of color in cosplay photography. This category honors images where color is the star. Whether through vibrant palettes, striking contrasts, or harmonious tones that enhance the character and mood. Showcase your command of color theory and grading.

Sunbound

Photography shaped entirely by the sun (no other light source is accepted). This category honors images that rely solely on natural illumination to define mood, texture, and character. Show how ambient light alone can create depth, atmosphere, and striking visual storytelling.

Category Submission Rules

  • Only images created with sunlight or naturally occurring ambient light is allowed. Artificial lights, candles, sparks, flares, flashes are prohibited.
  • Reflected or shaded sunlight using reflectors, bounces, shades is allowed. Moon light as a reflected light of sun is allowed.

Retro Reel

For those who embrace the magic of analog polaroid or film photography. This category is dedicated to cosplay photography shot on instant film or traditional film stock. Celebrate grain, imperfections, and the timeless charm of chemical processes that digital simply can’t replicate.

Category Submission Rules

  • Images must be captured entirely on analog equipment (instant film or traditional film cameras).
  • The submission must originate from a unique physical photograph (negative, slide, or instant print).
  • Digital Polaroid cameras and digital images printed to film or Polaroid-style prints are not accepted.
  • Minimal cosmetic edits and light color correction are allowed; no heavy retouching or compositing.
  • Scans or photo-scans of the original physical image are accepted for submission.

Sculpted Light

This category focuses on bold, intentional light shaping and dramatic lighting setups that define mood, form, and emotion. From high-contrast scenes to sculpted highlights and shadows, the image should demonstrate mastery of light as a storytelling and visual tool. If lighting is the first thing you notice and the reason the image works – this is the right category.

Untouched

A celebration of pure, unaltered photography. This category highlights images presented exactly as they were captured, with no retouching, color grading, or compositing. Showcase your mastery of lighting, exposure, and composition straight from the shutter.

Category Submission Rules

  • Little cosmetic editing is accepted.

Chili Jam

A category celebrating tasteful, mature, and spicy cosplay photography. It recognizes artistic, character-driven erocosplay that highlights style, mood, and body aesthetics without crossing into explicit content. A space to honor the photographers whose work fuels a major part of the cosplay scene yet often goes under-appreciated.

Category Submission Rules

This is a very special category, and we have to draw a not that straight line. So the list is huge.

What’s Allowed

Suggestive, artistic, cosplay-focused photographs. All rules including “nipple freedom limitation” apply to every subject regardless of gender.

  • Implied nudity

    Example: covered silhouettes, sheets, strategic posing.

  • Partial nudity and tasteful body focus

    Example: bare back, cleavage, legs, shoulders, waistlines, silhouettes, booty, lingerie, open jackets.

  • Boudoir or erotic reinterpretations of characters

    Example: Witcher sorceress boudoir, cyberpunk club vibe, swimsuit versions.

  • Opaque nipple covers

    Neutral, decorative, or stylized pasties that clearly provide coverage.

  • Latex outfits which are not considered fetish suites

    Full-body or partial latex; form-fitting or shiny latex matching the character’s design is fine as long as it does not simulate nudity or fetish oriented. Might be semi transparent if nipples and genitals are covered.

  • Creative body taping that ensures full nipple coverage

    Geometric or artistic taping that functions like lingerie or swimsuit coverage.Tape patterns as long as the coverage is unmistakable and non-transparent.

  • Rope used purely as decorative costume elements

    Example: rope accents on an outfit, stylized wraps that function like accessories as long as it is not binding, restraining, or suggestive of restraint.

  • Sheer or mesh fabrics, translucency and wet-look Example: sheer fabrics or wet clothing that reveal the silhouette or nipple shape without exposing skin/areola details. Excluding extreme zooms, devoid of wider artistic context.

  • Skin-colored lingerie or clothing

    Allowed, as long as it provides full coverage and does not used to simulate nudity.

  • Thongs or micro-bikinis

    Standard coverage, high-cut designs, tasteful presentation.

  • Neutral props

    Weapons, potions, masks, tech gear, household items as set dressing.

  • Subtle body oil or wet look effects

    Used for aesthetic or lighting purposes, not sexual simulation.

  • Visible anatomical contours through clothing

    Example: erected nipples poking through fabric (poke-throughs), natural body outlines in tight-fitting sportswear, leggings, or swimwear (e.g., camel toe). Excluding extreme zooms, devoid of wider artistic context.

What’s NOT Allowed

Anything crossing into explicit or unsafe photographs. All rules including “nipple freedom limitation” apply to every subject regardless of gender.

  • No explicit sexual acts

    No simulated or real sexual behavior.

  • No full explicit exposure

    No genital, explicit frontal nudity, or graphic anatomical focus.

  • No violent themes

    No bondage, choking, bloodplay, degradation, or non-consensual themes.

  • No imagery implying restraint, captivity, or bondage, involving physical control, restriction of movement, or domination/submission dynamics, restraining Shibari, or rope patterns that clearly reference bondage practices.

    Whether aesthetic, stylized, or non-functional

  • No characters depicted as minors

    No childlike versions, school uniforms implying underage characters.

  • No sexualized or explicit poses or pornographic framing

    No camera angles designed to be explicitly sexual in intent. Up-skirt / up-short, crotch-centric framing, simulated sexual activity.

  • No props used to simulate sexual activity or fetish

    Whips, gags, restraints, explicit fetish props.

  • No adult-platform promotion

    No watermarks linking to OnlyFans/Fansly/etc.

  • No transparent or semi-transparent nipple covers

    Anything that reveals detail or mimics full exposure.

  • No taping that leaves nipples partially or fully exposed

    Any arrangement that fails to provide solid coverage.

  • No designs intended to simulate nudity

    Example: Chest prosthetics with exposed nipples or extremely minimal tape or shapes placed to imply uncovered areas.

  • No clear tape or clear adhesive film

    Does not count as coverage.

  • No Latex masks or head coverings

    Anything that fully covers the face or resembles a fetish mask.

  • No body fluids including simulation

    Just don’t

  • No pubic hair exposure

    Anything that reveals detail or mimics full exposure. Whether aesthetic, stylized.

  • No fetishistic anatomical close-ups

    No extreme zooms or "crotch shots" where the primary focus is solely on genital outlines (e.g., camel toe) or nipples, devoid of wider artistic context.