The Indian Championship of Cosplay (ICC) is India’s premier craftsmanship-based cosplay competition. Each city will now host only one ICC Qualifier on the final day of the event, where the city’s top cosplayer will be selected to move forward to the ICC Finals.
Submit an application with detailed costume and reference images before the deadline. Applications will be reviewed by the CCI Team and if selected, contestants will receive prejudging and event details via email.
Skill Categories for Judging:
Judges will evaluate 100% of the costume regardless of the selected category. The ICC Qualifier – Guwahati will be held only on the last day of Guwahati Comic Con 2025.
Eligibility:♦ Participants must be 18 years or older.♦ Only one entry per participant per city qualifier.♦ No group entries – this is an individual craftsmanship competition.
Costume & Craftsmanship:♦ At least 60% of the costume must be made by the participant.♦ Store-bought costumes without substantial modifications will not qualify.♦ If heavy alterations are made to a store-bought garment, you must explain the alterations and process during judging.♦ Costumes cannot promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, firearms, unsafe or political messaging, hate groups, or obscene/offensive content.♦ Gore, graphic violence, nudity, or inappropriate elements may lead to disqualification as determined by judges or CCI staff.♦ Any participant who wins in ICC cannot compete with the same cosplay in the City Cosplay Championship, and vice versa.
Reference Materials:♦ A color photo reference of the character (and props) must be presented for judging.♦ Size reference and a build book are encouraged to earn accuracy points.
Pre-judging:♦ Prejudging will take place on the same day as the ICC Qualifier.♦ Accepted contestants will be informed via email at least two days before the event.♦ Missing prejudging/check-in will result in disqualification.♦ You must appear in costume for prejudging.
Stage Rules:♦ Each contestant will have ~1 minute to present 2–3 poses.♦ Submit a 100-word description for the emcee (construction details, materials, or character story allowed).♦ No skits, dialogues, or personalized music – pre-selected music will play.♦ Costumes must allow safe movement on and off stage and cannot be built on stage. You must appear in costume for prejudging.
Props & Safety:♦ Props must comply with safety regulations: no sharp edges, real weapons, or hazardous materials.♦ Oversized props must be detachable; if your costume exceeds 8ft height or 3ft width, ensure it can pass through doors safely.♦ All props will be inspected and tagged if deemed safe; unsafe items will be confiscated.♦ You will be responsible for any damage caused to stage or venue property.
Entry & Travel:♦ Contestants must arrange their own travel, accommodation, and entry pass for the event.♦ CCI is not responsible for personal belongings; bringing an assistant is recommended.
Judging Categories:
Needlework, Armour, FX.
Judges will evaluate the entire costume, regardless of category.
Category winners will be announced, and from them, one overall City Champion will be selected as the ICC Finalist.
Prizes will beawarded based on judge rankings in each of the following categories:Needlework, Armor, and FX.
The winner of the Hyderabad ICC Qualifier will receive ₹2,00,000 (inclusive of taxes).
The City Champion will advance to the Indian Championship of Cosplay Finals.
♦ All participants must sign a permission/release/waiver form at prejudging.♦ Unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior may result in immediate disqualification.♦ No profanity, political, or religious statements on stage, signs, or costumes.♦ Judges’ and CCI’s decisions are final and binding.♦ CCI reserves the right to modify, cancel, or suspend the qualifier in case of unforeseen circumstances (fraud, technical failure, or safety concerns).♦ Participation implies consent to event photography and videography for promotional use.
