The Masquerade is one of San Diego Comic-Con’s most anticipated events, and for cosplayers hoping to be able to walk the stage in their finest, Comic-Con International today revealed details on the 43rd Annual Masquerade. You can find the official rules and entry form on their site.

The event, to be held on Saturday, July 22 in Ballroom 20 at 8:30PM, draws a crowd of 3,900 attendees (with 2,000 more watching in Sails Pavilion and other rooms, which act as overflow). Just as in previous years, the Masquerade is free to participate in for anyone with a Saturday badge.

Contestants can enter as a single participant or in a group, and medallions will be given to the winners in the following categories:

• Best In Show
• Judges’ Choice
• Best Re-Creation
• Best Original Design
• Best Workmanship
• Most Humorous
  
• Most Beautiful
• Best Young Fan

Winners in the above categories will also receive a free 4-day badge to San Diego Comic-Con 2018 – which is a big prize in and of itself. In the event that a group wins, up to four memberships will be given.

Entrants are also eligible for certain sponsored awards that various organizations choose the winner of, including:

• Frank And Son Collectible Show, of the City of Industry, Calif., “Your one-stop show for all your collectible needs” will present to the entry they deem the audience favorite $1,000 cash, plus a very impressive trophy.

• DC Comics representatives will present a special, limited edition DC Collectibles item to the finest entry portraying a DC Comics character or characters from the DC universe of publications and movies.

• The Will Eisner Spirit of Storytelling Award commemorates Will Eisner’s contributions to the comics medium and his imaginative storytelling skills as exemplified by his iconic comic character, The Spirit, and his many graphic novels and textbooks. 2017 marks the centennial of Will Eisner’s birth and this award is bestowed by Will Eisner Studios on the entry they deem best showcases that all-important “art of storytelling” in their stage presentation. The costuming and story are equally important. At its peak, The Spirit Sunday comic newspaper section reached 5 million readers and was known for its imaginative stories, creative artwork, and eye catching splash pages. The winning entrant will receive $250 in Amazon gift cards plus 5 limited-edition Will Eisner giclée lithographs.

• The Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892: Celebrity Hollywood costume designer judges from the CDG will present to their favorite entry a special prize, plus a CDG Masquerade trophy provided by Legacy Effects and a full year’s subscription to Costume Designer magazine. The CDG is Local 892 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.), and represents Costume Designers, Assistant Costume Designers and Costume Illustrators working at the highest levels of expertise in motion pictures, TV, commercials, music videos, and new media.

• Sideshow Collectibles: Do you think your costume entry into this year’s contest will elicit lots of ooo’s and ahhhh’s from the crowd? If that’s the case, you’ll be in the running to win a $350 gift card from Sideshow Collectibles for use on their web site! So bring your best costume creation to Comic-Con’s Masquerade contest and you might walk (or strut) away with Sideshow’s generously donated prize.

• Anime Pavilion, of Falls Church, Virginia, a source for all things anime and anime-related, will present to what they choose as best anime-inspired costumes $200 credit at their popular Comic-Con Exhibit Hall booth or their expansive website for their top choice, plus $50 cash to the best Young Fan anime-inspired entry.

• Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. will be presenting a full scholarship and one night’s hotel (valued at $300) to their weekend conference, Costume College®, held the last weekend in July at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA, awarded to the entry their representatives select as showing the most promise. Costume College provides educational lectures and workshops in every aspect of costuming. Please get more details at: costumecollege.net

• Motion Picture Costumers Union, Local 705: Clip the stray threads and hide those safety pins! For the second year running The Motion Picture Costumers Union, Local 705 join the judges table at the 43rd Annual Masquerade event. The costumers’ choice will win a custom-created trophy and generous prizes from Premier Sponsors. This technical award is seeking Costume Entries whose skillful execution, creativity, and attention to detail most highlights an imaginative adaptation of the source or custom design.

You can find more information about the Masquerade on Comic-Con International’s website.

What do you think about the new rules? Let us know in the comments.