Cosplay Photo Contest

Have you ever wanted to compete in the Mainstage Cosplay but you get stage fright? Want to show off your character’s personality and quirks but shy away from the big competitions? Then try the Cosplay Photo Contest!

What do I do, you ask? All you need to do for this contest is show up in Cosplay Central during the designated time slots, fill out a form (no need to register in advance), and pose for a picture from our contest photographer! Easy, right?

The Cosplay staff will then vote to select the winners from each time slot and from those selections, an overall winner will be chosen. The winners will be announced during the Mainstage Cosplay awards ceremony. Cannot attend the Mainstage Cosplay on Saturday and you won? No problem! You can pick up your award on Sunday in Cosplay Central!

Time Slots

  • FRI  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • FRI 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • FRI 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • SAT 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • SAT 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.


*All times subject to change.

Cosplay Photo Contest Rules

  1. This contest is open to all AnimeIowa attendees, including staff assuming their duties allow.
  2. Any AnimeIowa staff competing in the Cosplay Photo Contest are prohibited from voting.
  3. Reference materials are not required, but recommended. Please print any references.
  4. Entries may be made as an individual or as a group. All groups will be judged as a single
  5. You may enter a different costume in each time slot, but you cannot enter one costume multiple times.
  6. You may not enter any costume registered for either the Mainstage Cosplay or Hall Cosplay. Costumes submitted in the Hall Cosplay, Cosplay Photo Contest, AND Mainstage Cosplay may be disqualified at the discretion of the Cosplay Head.
  7. All AnimeIowa Weapons Policy and General Convention rules apply.
  8. All judges’ decisions are final.