BostonFIG is having our FIRST EVER Masquerade in 2026!
Wear your self-made costume, do a creative performance, and bring your favorite character to life. Don’t miss out on the fun—come see the magic unfold and cheer for your favorite.
We can’t wait to see the participants creativity and talent take the stage! Click here to apply!
Here are the rules:
By entering the BostonFIG Masquerade, you are agreeing that you have read, understood, and will abide by all the rules of the convention and event. Failure to meet all rules will result in disqualification and possible ban from entering future events.
Contestant Eligibility
• The current year’s BostonFIG staff and volunteers may not compete in the contest.
• The group leader must have a badge for BostonFIG 2026. They are the contact person for the group. All notices will be sent to them and all materials such as build books, audio, and any questions or concerns, must be sent from this person.
• Your group leader must be 16 years old or older. If no group member is 16 or older then the group will need to pick a parent / guardian to be a contact.
Rules
• If any law is broken you will be immediately disqualified, expelled from the convention, and the proper authorities will be notified. This is including, but not limited to: live weapons, nudity, and any illegal substance use.
• No overly sexualized acts, excessive gore/blood, or inappropriate language will be allowed. This is a family friendly convention, please keep all Presentations to a PG-13 rating. Failure to do so will result in an immediate disqualification.
• Symbols and costumes depicting or associated with discrimination, harassment, or hate groups are not permitted.
• Each person participating in the Masquerade may only perform in one entry.
• BostonFIG staff members will use the information from your application to contact you so please ensure your information is correct. Applicants that can not be reached due to incomplete or inaccurate information will be disqualified.
• The Masquerade application will stay open till all the spots are filled. Any remaining spots will be filled at the convention. We do not guarantee that any spots will still be open at the Convention. If you would like to compete, it is highly encouraged that you sign up ahead of time.
Divisions
Groups may choose to compete at a higher level than that for which they qualify. Knowingly entering a lower division when a group ought to be higher is grounds for disqualification.
• Master Division – you must compete in the Master division if any member of the group:
-Won “Best in Show” or “First Place or Best Master” for craftsmanship or performance at any convention
-Won 5 or more awards for craftsmanship as a Journeyman and/or Novice
• Journeyman Division – you must compete in the Journeyman division in any member of the group:
-Won “First Place or Best Novice” for craftsmanship in any event
-Won 1 or more awards for craftsmanship in the Novice division
• Novice Division – you may qualify to compete in the Novice division if:
-No member has won any award for craftsmanship at any convention
*If you have been featured as a cosplay guest or judge at any convention you will be automatically be in the Master Divison.
**The Judges and Masquerade staff reserve the right to bump people up in categories at their discretion.
Masquerade Awards
• Best in Show: certificate, trophy, free ticket to BostonFIG 2027
• Best Master: certificate
• Judge’s Award Master: certificate
• Best Journeyman: certificate
• Judge’s Award Journeyman: certificate
• Best Novice: certificate
• Judge’s Award Novice: certificate
Scoring Criteria
BostonFIG will use the following scoring criteria:
+25 pts Level of difficulty – difficulty and variety of techniques used
+25 pts Accuracy & Execution – how the design elements from the source material are reflected in the costume. Technical proficiency and cleanliness.
+25 pts Audio quality and concept of the performance
+25 pts Presentation – ability to stay in character on stage and present the character in a way that shows their personality to unfamiliar viewers. How well was the performance concept executed?
+10 pts Video Game or Tabletop Game characters
-10 pts Original characters
Craftsmanship and Performance
• You may choose to do
A) craftsmanship with a walk-on performance
B) a bought costume with a pre-rehearsed performance
C) craftsmanship AND performance. You will receive full points in judging if you choose C)
• Craftsmanship entails that 65% of a costume has been self-made or altered by the participant. If there is a group entry, 65% of the total amount of costumery must be self-made by the participants. Example: Found a shirt at GoodWill, to use it for Judging you must alter it such as; dying, painting, alter the neckline, sleeves, and/ or hem line.
• Costumes that have already won a major award at another convention are not eligible to compete, where major award is any award or prize beyond a judge’s award or honourable mention.
• If a single person in the group made all the costumes, inform the coordinator. The person who made the costumes is the only person eligible for an award.
• Any bought or commissioned / unaltered parts of the costume will not be considered in Judging. If you are using any such parts please be up front with the judges. If you try to use a bought piece or someone else’s work as your own and it is revealed to the Judges / Masquerade staff, you will be disqualified, stripped of any award received, and banned from future participation.
• As we are a video game and tabletop game convention, we encourage, but do not require contestants to cosplay from a video game, board game, card game, or tabletop RPG. If you choose such a cosplay you will receive a 10 additional points in scoring.
• As we cannot judge the accuracy of an original character, we discourage, but do not ban Original Characters. If you choose such a cosplay you will receive a 10 point deduction.
• Contestants are not required but strongly encouraged to submit a physical build book.
• Please come 5-10 minutes ahead of your scheduled judging time to check in and be ready. If you miss your time, a new judging time is not guaranteed. You may be asked to come back at the end of the judging times and we will try to fit you in.
• Participants will have 5 minutes to present their entries to the judges and answer any questions. We highly recommend coming prepared with speaking points.
• Performance / presentation groups are limited to 5 people on stage at a time. This is for safety & space limitations.
• All performances will be limited to 60 seconds or less. Failure to stay within your time limit will result in points deducted.
• If you have stage hands/ stage ninjas they will not be counted as part of the overall performing group, but will be limited to 2.
• If you miss your start cue, or feel there was an error, you will be allowed to walk to the side or off stage and communicate this to the staff, and you will be allowed to restart with no penalty. The staff will make an announcement so the judges will know there was a technical error and you are allowed to restart.
• NO LARGE STAGE PROPS ALLOWED! We do not have the space to store personal items such as sets, storage containers, or props backstage before the show.
• Please plan on bringing anything you need for your presentation with you and leaving with it as well. Anything left behind will be thrown out. Do not use any confetti, glitter, flower petals, liquid, or messy substances. Do not throw anything off the stage.
• Your audio track must be edited to begin at the point you wish it to start playing. The staff will play the first 60 seconds then fade out of whatever track you have supplied us with. Pre-recorded music/ audio tracks must be on a single track and include any pauses edited in.
• All audio will be screened for content and quality. BostonFIG Masquerade Staff hold the right to refuse audio if the content is questionable or the quality presents a clarity issue. If a content or clarity issue presents itself, you will be notified and have a chance to resubmit.
• Please send all audio files in an MP3 format
• No live microphones will be given to contestants.
• We welcome you to surprise the audience, but please don’t surprise the Masquerade Staff. If you are planning something unique, please keep us informed and let us help you.
• BostonFIG maintains a you broke it, you pay for it policy. BostonFIG owns and rents some very expensive equipment. Please always be aware and cautious of your surroundings. If you are found responsible for damaging equipment, you are then responsible to pay for the repair or replacement of it.
• We do not have capacity to do any lighting changes or cues. You will walk on with lights on and walk off with lights on. The lights will stay on throughout the performance.
If you are accepted to the Masquerade:
• You will receive an email notification of your acceptance. We will take applications on a first come first served basis and try to get back to everyone within 1 month.
• As we get closer to the show, a follow up email will be sent with specifics such as check in location, entry numbers, judging times, judging location, and performance time.
• You are expected to respond and send in all needed information. Failure to do so result in removal from the Masquerade.
• All entries must check in on Saturday morning. Failure to check in will forfeit your place in the masquerade. Please communicate with staff if any issues arise.
• BostonFIG does not hold any responsibility if your prop or costume is damaged at the convention.