RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PYRKON 2025 FAN CONVENTION OWN DESIGN COMPETITION

I. General provisions

1. The Organizer of the Cosplay Own Design competition during Pyrkon 2025, hereinafter referred to as the “competition”, is the Klub Fantastyki “Druga Era” Association in Poznań (hereinafter referred to as “the Organizer”). The contact person for the competition is Aleksandra “Shappi” Tora. 
2. The Organizer declares that the Competition is not a game of chance, lottery, mutual bet, promotional lottery, the result of which depends on the case, or any other form of random game provided for in the Act of 19 November 2009 on gambling (Journal of Laws 2009.201.1540, as amended).
3. The competition takes place during the Pyrkon Fan Convention between 13-15.06.2025 (hereinafter referred to as “Pyrkon”).
4. The task of the participants of the competition is to make their own costume based on their own idea and present it on stage during the competition and in front of the jurors during individual evaluation.

II. Conditions for participation:

1. The competition  is intended for people who create their own costumes, dress up in them and act out characters of their choice. Purchased elements (e.g. wigs, lenses, shoe bases) are allowed, but they should only be an addition to one’s own work:
   a) Elements such as wigs or shoes may be purchased, but the participant is expected to style and finish them themselves. If they benefit from the help of a third party, they should absolutely indicate this during the jury round.
   b) It is allowed to use machine-based techniques when creating a costume (e.g. 3D printing, laser cutting, embroidery, milling or printing on fabric). If the participant is the author of delineators, blueprints, 3D models, etc., they can positively affect the score. Items made entirely by third parties are inadvisable and may lower the score. We encourage you to take photos of the progress of work on the costume.
   (c) It is allowed to bring a printed collection of photos from working on the costume, a description of the techniques used, reference graphics to the jury round. However, such a document cannot be left with the judges.
2. Minors  may participate in the competition subject to the written consent of their parents or legal guardian. (The form to be downloaded at pyrkon.pl, a scan of the signed document or a photo of the signed document should be attached to the application form).
3. The presented costumes can refer to official sources  and be variations on existing pop culture characters. It is allowed to draw inspiration from books, comics, games, films (including animated ones), series, illustrations. It is also allowed to imitate existing “fan art”, i.e. graphics inspired by well-known characters. Projects can also be created entirely on the basis of an original idea of the Participant, with their own names and stories, e.g. larp characters, characters from RPG sessions, fursonas.
   If you have any doubts whether a character qualifies for the given sources, please contact the organizer responsible for the competition.
4. It is allowed to present a costume that has already been presented at competitions at other events, provided that it was not awarded the main prize at that time (awards from 2nd place down and distinctions are allowed). Costumes that participated in the competition for Own Design during previous editions of Pyrkon will also be inadmissible, including remaking the costume already showcased, regardless of the place landed. There is no time limit since the premiere of the costume.
5. Each participant may submit one costume.
6. By entering the competition, participants accept the provisions of these rules and regulations.
7. The organizer may consent to the use of a model for the purpose of presenting the costume. To take advantage of this opportunity, please contact the coordinator before submitting the application and explain the reason. (E.g. designing only children’s costumes, health restrictions preventing independent stage presentation). The participant takes part in the jury round together with the model.  
8. We wish to emphasize that people with disabilities and special needs are welcome to participate in the competition. We will do our best to make it an equal, valuable experience for everyone. We encourage you to participate, and if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] 

III. The course of the Competition

1. The competition is divided into two stages: the stage of submitting applications and the Final. The 30 best costumes from all submitted entries will be selected for the Final of the competition. 
2. Applications are accepted until 23:59 on Sunday 01.06.2025. via the forms available on the website: https://bitly.cx/WLSv
3. Participants should be prepared for the fact that the application form includes space for such elements as:
   • photos of the finished or almost finished costume and all props in jpg or png format,
   • a brief description of the technical execution of the costume,
   • prints, literary texts and other sources of inspiration for the costume, if any, 
   • photos presenting the participant’s work on the costume, proving the work they put into it, max. 30 photos per costume,
   • photos of the finished or almost finished costume and all props,
   • a list of elements made and not made by hand,
   • a description of the presentation,
   • a description of the lighting (or a suggestion of the atmosphere of the performance for the technicians to choose),
   • a file with ONE audio backing track or ONE audio-video backing track (mp3 for audio or mp4 for audio-video). The backing track must be previously edited for the needs of the participant, it will not be ‘cut’ to the appropriate length by the organizers. By submitting the audio backing track, the participant declares that they own the copyright to it or use the works available under a free license.
4. Incomplete submissions will not be taken into account. Works submitted after this date will not participate in the Competition.
5. By June 5th, 2025, at 11:59 PM, the Organizers will select the participants who will take part in the next stage of the competition. The results of this step will be communicated to the participants via emails.
6. During the Finals, participants take part in:
   a) a Jury round: an individual meeting with the jury, lasting no more than 5 minutes per participant, used to see the presented costume up close by the judges and ask additional questions about its execution. During this part, the judges (implicitly) award points related to the assessment of the costume. The order of presentation during the jury round depends on the size and time of putting on the costume by the participant. The participants will be informed about the individual time of the jury round by e-mail before the convention.
   b) Stage presentation: The competition will be divided into two performance options. The participant chooses the method of performance when submitting the application — catwalk or creative drama.
   
   • Catwalk presentations. Each participant who chooses this form of presentation of the costume will be invited on stage to the sound of dynamic background music chosen by the Organizer. We encourage Participants to walk around the stage, presenting the costume to the audience. At the end of the exit, the Participant will be asked to briefly talk to the Host about the costume they are presenting. This should take no more than 30 seconds. 
   • Creative drama type presentations. Each participant who chooses this form of presentation of the costume is asked to send an appropriate musical background. The participant performs a presentation show on the stage according to their own idea, after an announcement by the host. The presentation can take up to 1 minute.
   
   Performing on stage is a prerequisite for participation in the competition. The participant chooses the form in which they want to perform (creative drama or catwalk) and is obliged to indicate this choice when sending the application.
7. The individual time of the performance and round, given to the participants in emails before the competition, is approximate and may change depending on the course of the competition. Participants will be kept informed about changes.
8. The jury consists of three well-known specialists related to cosplay, creating costumes and props, designing, doing make-up, stage performances.  Their silhouettes are better described in point VI of these regulations. The jury round is conducted in Polish or English, according to the participant’s wishes. 
9. The absence of the participant during one of the parts being assessed results in disqualification.
10. The awards ceremony takes place on stage about half an hour after the stage performances. The selection of winners is based on the sum of the points awarded and the jury’s discussion.
11. After the end of the competition, the jury will be available backstage for interested participants to provide information related to their participation in the competition as well as tips and advice on their work.

IV. Stage performances

1. Participants perform on stage individually.
2. Each stage presentation should take no less than 30 seconds and no more than 1 minute. Stage presentations may, for example, include the most recognizable poses of the characters, short stories presented in the form of creative drama type scenes, poses for photographers. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with what stage presentations look like, e.g. watching recordings from the Pyrkon Masquerade.
3. The organizers provide assistance in handing props and bringing them in. If the participant wishes for assistance from persons other than the competition staff, it is recommended that these persons be dressed in black.
4. Participants have the Small Stage of the Cosplay Zone, basic lighting, a multimedia screen in the background and a sound system at their disposal with technical staff available. 
5. Participants are strictly prohibited from using fire, smoke candles and spilling water on the stage.
6. It is unacceptable to use vulgar language and behavior that is obscene or violates the rights, including personal rights,  of third parties. Failure to comply with this point may result in disqualification.
7. The organizer is not responsible for the conduct of the competition participant.

V. Prizes and competition categories

1. The prizes in the competition are prizes in kind, cash and commemorative statuettes, made by the sculptor Robert Tomak. The prizes will be awarded on the basis of an explicit decision of the Selection Committee, the composition of which will be announced before the start of the Competition at www.pyrkon.pl
2. The Selection Committee selects the winners in the following categories:
   • The “Best Costume Based on Fanart” category, where the made costume is created as a representation of an already existing, graphic vision by another artist (e.g. character fanarts in versions other than the original ones, animal humanizations, combinations of characters from different universes, etc.) The prize in this category is:
   
   1st place – PLN 2,000
   
   2nd place – PLN 1,500
   
   • The “Best Original Costume” category, where the costume made is created as a reproduction of the participant’s own design of a character developed by the person making the costume. The reference may be in graphic or literary form, provided that the author of the costume created it personally. The prize in this category is:
   
   1st place – PLN 2,000
   
   2nd place – PLN 1,500
   
   • The jury’s special prizes are three equal awards, PLN 500 each. They will be awarded on the basis of an individual decision of the juror whose name they bear, and are aimed at distinguishing participants whose works have interesting details, an innovative or creative approach to techniques, project coherence or other noteworthy elements worth emphasizing. The prize in this category is:
   
   Anhyra’s Award – PLN 500
   
   Bisz’s Award – PLN500
   
   Kuba Dobrenko’s Award – PLN 500
   
   • CD PROJEKT RED’s special prize, awarded to the person who creates the best costume referring to one of the titles released by CD PROJEKT RED, i.e.: Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Gwent or games from the Witcher series with add-ons.
   In this category both Geralt in the noir version, led wedding dresses straight from Night City, as well as your own characters of bards, monsters, fixers or witches can be distinguished. The prizes in this category are:
   
   • in the third special prize: “Goodie Bag” (goodies included: Geralt Dark Horse Figurine, Cyberpunk 2077 Collector’s Edition V Figurine, a set of patches, The Witcher and CDPR lanyards, Cyberpunk and the Witcher Stickers, a Cyberpunk Keychain, a Samurai Pin, a Cyberpunk Poster, a Cyberpunk bag, a Trauma Team fanny pack).
   
   • in the second special prize: “Goodie Bag” (goodies included: Geralt Dark Horse figurine, Cyberpunk 2077 Collector’s Edition V Figurine, a set of patches, the Witcher and CDPR lanyards, Cyberpunk and the Witcher stickers, a Cyberpunk keychain, a Samurai Pin, a Cyberpunk poster, the Witcher bag, a Trauma Team fanny pack, the Witcher Beanie, a Cyberpunk jigsaw puzzle).
   
   • in the first special prize: “Goodie Bag” (goodies included: Geralt Dark Horse figurine, Cyberpunk 2077 Collector’s Edition V Figurine, a set of patches, the Witcher and CDPR lanyards, Cyberpunk and the Witcher stickers, a Cyberpunk keychain, a Samurai Pin, a Cyberpunk poster, the Witcher bag, a Trauma Team fanny pack, the Witcher Beanie, a Cyberpunk jigsaw puzzle, a Cyberpunk Steelbook, a Cyberpunk Artbook, The Witcher Mug, a Samurai Sweatshirt, Cyberpunk Joggers, the “Bez przypadku” Cyberpunk novel).
   
   In addition, the person who wins the first special award in this category will receive an invitation to the CD PROJEKT RED studio in Warsaw on a date agreed with the winning person/team (no later than November 2025). As part of the visit, CD PROJEKT RED provides a studio tour and conditions for a photo session in the Cyberpunk 2077 bar. CD PROJEKT RED does not cover the costs of travel and stay. .The costume awarded in this category may fit into any of the other competition categories and will be considered within them.
3. The following criteria will be taken into account in the assessment:
   • the quality and minuteness of the finish of the made costume,
   • technical difficulty in making the costume,
   • complementing the costume with make-up, make-up, elements of special effects or other means of making the costume more attractive, matching the Design,
   • originality and ingenuity of the interpretation of the costume and the character impersonated,
   • stage performance as part of the presentation of the costume on stage during the Competition, including acting skills, synchronization of the show with the submitted musical background, skilful development of the stage and presentation scenario,
   • compatibility of the performance with the character and vision of the impersonated character.
4. Prizes will be handed over  on site or within 30 days from the date of the contest.

VI. The Jury

1. The Jury of the Own Design Competition is composed of Pyrkon guests, specializing in cosplay, creating costumes, and character design. The persons assessing the costumes are:
   
   • Anhyra, a cosplayer from Spain, specializing in armor elements, props and makeup. Her costumes reflect a passion for traditional sculpture, a variety of textures and meticulous attention to detail. She has extensive experience in working for the video game industry as a cosplayer of promotional campaigns, author of props and outfits (to name a few of the biggest ones – Bungie with Destiny 2, Activision Blizzard with World of Warcraft, Funcom with Dune: Awakening, Sharkmob with BloodHunt, Bethesda Nordic & Xbox SE with The Elder Scrolls Online, Team 17 with Blasphemous II and PlayStation Spain with Destiny 2 and Diablo IV. She has won major international competitions (Best Armor at BlizzCon Online and Best Cosplay at Dreamhack Beyond International in recent years), as well as being a cosplay judge at many events and conventions.
   
   • Bisz, a cosplayer, winner of last year’s Masquerade. Thanks to outstanding skills and over a decade of experience, she has repeatedly represented Poland at events of international importance. Her stage name can be found among the finalists of the Cosplay Worlds Masters or the International Cosplay League. This summer, together with her stage partner, Talon, she will represent Poland at the World Cosplay Summit in Japan and the finals of the Extreme Cosplay Gathering World Championship in France. As a juror, she likes to focus on finishes and the various techniques used by the participants.
   
   • Kuba Dobrenko, tailor and designer, specializing in larp costumes from medieval to cyberpunk settings. Since 2019, he has been leading the popular Oak Stall brand. He has worked with Polish and foreign film productions, including the Korean studio Pearl Abyss, known from the game Black Desert. He participated in such projects as “Misja – Kosmiczna seria Darwinów”, led workshops for CD PROJEKT RED and created costumes for the premiere of “The Witcher” series, and his portfolio includes costumes for the film “KOS” and the opera “The Flying Dutchman”. He is an artist who combines his passion for fantasy worlds with the pursuit of perfection in the design and execution of costumes and set design. He also has experience in evaluating cosplay competitions. During the competition for Own Design, he will pay attention to the consistency of the designs, the finishing of the details and the completeness of the silhouettes.

VII. Disqualifications

1. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the organisers may issue a warning or disqualify the participant (deny them further participation in the current edition of the competition, exclude them from the final score, request immediate departure from the stage) and/or deny them participation in subsequent editions of the competition.
2. Warnings and disqualification are considered by the competition coordinator in the following cases:
   • the participant intentionally destroyed or damaged a costume, props or set belonging to another person participating in the competition,
   • the participant showed unsportsmanlike behavior, in particular lack of cultural behavior towards other participants of the competition or convention staff,
   • there was verbal or physical violence on the part of the participant towards another participant of the convention,
   • the presentation or the costume contained motives commonly considered vulgar, offensive, or illegal or political appeals or other that could violate anyone’s personal rights, in particular those of minority groups,
   • the participant did not appear at the jury round or their stage performance without giving a reason or giving as a reason their own negligence (e.g. failure to finish the costume on time, change of mind, withdrawal of part of the group, failure to prepare for the stage performance). This section does not apply to people who have experienced serious health problems or events of fortuitous nature that prevent them from continuing to participate.
3. Each case of admonition or disqualification is considered individually by the competition coordinator. The decision of the coordinator is final.

VIII Personal data

1. The Organizer is the controller of personal data – within the meaning of the Act of 29 August 1997 on the protection of personal data (consolidated text – Journal of Laws of 2014, item 1182, as amended) of the Competition Participants. Personal data (name, last name, e-mail address, telephone number, correspondence address) are processed only in order to carry out the activities necessary for its proper execution, in  particular to inform about the prize and issue the Prize. The Organizer may entrust the processing of personal data of the Competition participants only to entities that cooperate with it on its device and only to the extent necessary for its proper implementation. Participants in the Competition have the right to access their data and correct it. Participants provide data on a voluntary basis, however providing data is a condition for obtaining the opportunity to participate in the Competition.  

Contact details for the organizer of the Cosplay Zone, overseeing of the competition
Aleksandra “Shappi” Tora:
[email protected]