Towards the end of last year, we collaborated with the good people of Sexpo to bring you a South African first – a sex-positive cosplay competition. It was a lot of fun, plus we gave away R20k in prizes. It was such fun that we are doing it again on the 25th of March.
Sexpo takes place from 22-25 March 2017 at the Sandton Convention Centre. That’s right, it’s a much classier affair – enough so that Sandton Convention Centre has opened up for them, which should be way nicer for me than driving all the way to Nasrec. Anyway, entrance is normally R150 for general admission and R299 for VIP tickets, but those looking to take part in the cosplay competition can actually get in for free. We will just need an email from you by 17 March with your name, character name, picture of character inspiration as well as which category you are entering in. And without further ado, here are the rules for the cosplay competition.
Sexpo Cosplay rules
To be clear, this is meant to be sex-positive cosplay – not a display of kink-wear or simply an excuse to wear lingerie in public. Rather, this is an opportunity for cosplayers who want to take on a more erotic approach to family-friendly characters or costumes, or perhaps try their hand at more provocative characters. That doesn’t mean that cosplayers are expected to reveal parts of their bodies they don’t wish to – cosplay can still be sexy while leaving much to the imagination.
The categories for the event are:
- Best female cosplay
- Best male cosplay
- Most authentic character recreation
- Sexiest character interpretation
Gender-bending and trans cosplay is welcome, and it will be up to the contestant to choose which gender they wish to compete as. It is also important to note for all those attending that you may see some incredible cosplay, but that doesn’t mean that you can behave any differently towards participants in the competition – cosplay is not consent.
A chill area will be provided to competitors, and the stage show will run from 2-3pm (although competitors will need to be available in the judging area at 11am for judging). Additionally, Anna Bell Peaks will be the MC for the cosplay event, helping to make each of our contestants feel like a star.
How to enter
As explained above, you can get free entrance to the event by emailing me by 17 March with your name, character name, picture of character inspiration as well as which category you are entering in. If, however, you decide last minute to take part, that’s also fine – you will just need to pay your own entrance and be in the judging area by 11am. Additionally, all entrants are requested to bring an image of their character inspiration, just to share with the judges if requested.
Sexpo will be offering R20 000 in prizes again, R5 000 per category. So good luck and have fun, and maybe go home a bit richer!
Last Updated: February 28, 2017
For the Emperor!
February 28, 2017 at 11:28
Wait, didn’t we JUST have an expo in October? Are we getting 2 per year now in Jhb?
Zoe Hawkins
February 28, 2017 at 12:00
Yup! Seems that way. 🙂
For the Emperor!
February 28, 2017 at 12:21
I don’t know if that is such a good idea to be honest. Look, I have only missed the first one thus far, but it is getting very much “same old same old”. Unless you go with someone new each time, there is hardly anything “new” other than new DVDs that can be purchased or viewed online. With two a year they really are going to have to make it “pop” to keep people coming 😛
For the Emperor!
February 28, 2017 at 12:23
PS I just went for photos with the stars the last few times, nothing else has been drawing my attention…not even the lounges really. Though there was this one lounge last year my friend was too close-minded to even look at the entrance. Perhaps I should go solo and enter the “forbidden kingdom” lol
Zoe Hawkins
February 28, 2017 at 12:50
i agree – they have to up their game a bit. the stalls become very samey. that said, i went to an interesting workshop a few years back… i think they should actually push those more. they have some “specialists” on hand, would be cool if they did more to share knowledge/insight
Original Heretic
February 28, 2017 at 11:32
Wait, I remember the write up on the write-up on the vent from last year.
Didn’t someone still feel up the Goblin King to see if the costume was anatomically correct?
Tracy Benson
February 28, 2017 at 15:20
That was me. And yes. And I got permission first.
Original Heretic
February 28, 2017 at 15:24
Ha! Oh yeah, now I remember! Zoe still gave you bit of hard time about that.
Um, pardon the pun….
Gavin Mannion
February 28, 2017 at 12:30
VIP ticket? Does that give you access to the special areas?
For the Emperor!
February 28, 2017 at 12:38
I think it gives free (or discounted price) entry into some of the areas. Like the Men’s Lounge etc. In the past id did include a “goody” bag with stuffs in it, but not last year.
Sageville
February 28, 2017 at 12:35
(Insert fixed grinface here)
Mandy Botha
February 28, 2017 at 15:16
Sorry but I am really disappointed. They are having this event smack bang in the middle of another cosplay event. I already committed to CosXP last year so what this means is 1 I cant go support my friends and 2 my friends cant come support me. No one wins at the end of the day when events clash like this
Zoe Hawkins
March 9, 2017 at 10:34
Hey, I’m really sorry about that. We had to work around the stage shows at Sexpo and this was the best time slot that they could give us. Hope you are still able to come through after your previous commitment.
Jade Loader
March 1, 2017 at 12:53
Hey Zoe. I cant seem to email you to enter
Zoe Hawkins
March 3, 2017 at 10:00
Hmm, strange! Gotten a couple emails already, so not sure why yours isn’t working. 🙁