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Submission Rules

  • Applicant must be a cosplay photographer.
  • Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • Jury members cannot participate during the Awards year they are judging.
  • One physical person may submit only one application with one photo per category, but maximum two categories. You choose the category you want to compete in for each photo.
  • Multiple submissions through multiple accounts or identity spoofing are strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
  • Each photo entry must be a unique photograph (you cannot submit the same photo to multiple categories).
  • Both digital and film photography are accepted.
  • There are no restrictions on when the photo was taken. Both old and new photographs are eligible. Photos that have been previously submitted to or won other contests may also be entered.
  • 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. Post-processing and retouching may be performed by a person appearing in the photograph (e.g., the model). No other person besides photographer and the model may retouch the photos. Retoucher 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 elements modified with AI 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 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.
  • 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

Fine art cosplay photographs created as finished art pieces, not just images for screens. This category honors photos with a timeless look, works that could be displayed in a gallery or bought by a collector. Entries should be well made, visually strong, and able to stand on their own when printed and displayed, inviting people to look at them for a long time.

Category Submission Rules

  • All visual elements must be practical, physically captured at the time of exposure. The use of 3D-rendered, AI-generated, or digitally constructed elements is not permitted. Minor compositing of photographed elements is allowed.

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.

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.

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.

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, which are telling a single story, stacked in a column accepted as a submission.

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.

Color Unleashed

This category is all about masterful use of color in cosplay photography. It 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.

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.

Chili Jam

A category represents refined, mature, and alluring boudoir cosplay photography. It celebrates character-driven work that emphasizes style, atmosphere, and body aesthetics through tasteful sensuality without crossing into explicit content. This category honors photographers whose work is an important part of the cosplay scene but is often overlooked.

Category Submission Rules

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

Limitations

Please note that all rules which limit “nipple freedom” 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 exposed nipples, no transparent or semi-transparent nipple covers Anything that reveals detail or mimics full exposure.

  • No designs intended to simulate nudity Example: Chest prosthetics with exposed nipples or extremely minimal tape or shapes placed to imply uncovered areas.

  • No violent themes No bondage, choking, 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 props used to simulate sexual activity or fetish Whips, gags, restraints, explicit fetish props.

  • No Latex masks or head coverings Anything that fully covers the face or resembles a fetish mask.

  • No adult-platform promotion No watermarks, names or objects in the frame linking to OnlyFans/Fansly/etc.

Conditionally Allowed

  • Implied and partial nudity and tasteful body focus Example: covered silhouettes, sheets, strategic posing, bare backs, cleavage, legs, shoulders, waistlines, silhouettes, booty.

  • 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.