• All cosplays must adhere to the convention rules in regards to dress and props
• To enter the competition with a performance, you must sign up by 1pm on the
  day
  • Walk-on entries must be signed up at least 1 hour before the show begins
• Entries will be taken on a first come-first serve basis for their division, and once the competition is full no additional entrants will be taken
• All ages are welcome to enter. Those under 16 will need a parent or guardian with them during sign up and backstage before the show.
• Both bought and made cosplays can be entered, and will be judged in separate divisions.
  • To qualify for the made division, you must have crafted 50% or more of your cosplay. See the Guild of Nerds Blog for advice on calculating percent made.
• Groups are allowed
  • Groups that feature a mix of bought and made cosplays will compete in the bought cosplays division.
• Performances are limited to two minutes on stage, and walk-ons are limited to 30 seconds on stage
• Performances must be family friendly and safe for the audience and performer. Cosplayers must be able to move on the stage unassisted, or have their own handler attending with them
• Audio will either be a generic track supplied by the cosplay team, or you can supply your own audio in the form of a youtube link, mp3 file emailed on the day, or an mp3 file supplied on a USB flashdrive
  • Audio cannot contain profanity or themes inappropriate for a general
    audience
• Use of a video screen cannot be supported, nor can lighting requests
• Good sportsmanship is required, and mistreatment of fellow entrants, competition coordinators or judges will result in a ban from all Guild of Nerds hosted competitions.
• By entering the competition you agree that your photo and video may be taken by attendees while onstage and in the stage area, and that FanXLive, Guild of Nerds and other subsidiaries of these entities may use your image for advertising or sponsor purposes
• Please contact Guild of Nerds if you have any questions at uk@guildofnerds.org

Cosplay is not consent 

• Cosplay and costumes are NOT an invitation to touch, or harass anybody – Always respect boundaries
• This includes a cosplayer’s costume and props – Do not touch these without permission! 
• Please do not hesitate to contact one of our team , or pay a visit to the organisers office if you have any issues over the weekend. 

Ask before you photograph!

• Please always ask cosplayers for permission to take pictures (and respect those wishes if they say no for any reason!)
• Remember that Cosplayers always have the right to say no to images
• Please don’t assume that just because somebody is in cosplay they are happy for an image to be taken without permission. 

Not your photo? Wait! 

• Many cosplayers LOVE posing for pictures at events and we guarantee that your picture will be 100% better if they’re looking at YOUR camera
• Don’t snipe someone else’s shot, or take an image if a cosplayer is posing for somebody else. Simply wait and ask when they’re done with anybody before you – we guarantee it’ll make for a more memorable interaction and image! 

Cosplay is for EVERYONE

• It doesn’t matter about Race, Age, Gender or Body Type – Cosplay is for everyone
• More than one person can cosplay the same character and no fan has more right to do so than another fan
• The cosplay community is an amazingly supportive one and there is no room for any form of shaming 

Remember, Cosplayers are human too 

• Please please PLEASE remember that cosplayers are humans (and more importantly, fans like the rest of us!)
• Don’t like the character? Move along

Have fun & help us create a positive environment! 

• Complement Cosplay
• Always respect boundaries and decisions 
• Don’t know a character? Take an interest and find out more! 
• HAVE FUN!

Fan X Live reserve the right to deny entry, withdraw access, or cancel tickets without refund at any Fan X Live event to anyone deemed to be breaking these rules. Moreover, Fan X Live and security for the event and venue reserve the right to reject or confiscate any weapon or prop if deemed likely to cause a nuisance. Confiscated items, that can legally be returned to you, can be collected as you leave the event.

If you have an unusual item or need further clarification, please email cosplay@fanxevents.com with as much detail and images of the item as possible so we can advise. Note that no absolute assurance can be given without seeing and holding the item in question.

Detailed weapons policy can be found here