J-Tsoon BURNING PUMPKIN FEST Cosplay Photography Competition Rules

The J-TSOON:BPF Cosplay Photography competition will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of November, 2024 in Kultuurikatel, Tallinn, Estonia. Both models and photographers are welcome to participate with their works. Photographs that make it to the finals will be showcased at J-TSOON:BPF and the winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on Sunday.

1. Registration:

• To participate in the competition, mandatory presence at the event is required to be eligible for prizes.
• Participants must complete the official registration form available on the J-TSOON website.
• In the form upload a high-quality photograph with the following specifications:
  • Image dimensions: Approximately 2481 x 3507 pixels, 1:1.41 for optimal A3 printing.
  • File format: JPEG or PNG.
• File size: Each photograph’s file size should not exceed 10MB.
• The image should be named according to the following instructions: image-name_name-of-the-participant.
• The festival takes responsibility for printing the finalists’ works from the competition.
• The participant must be 13 years or older to participate.

2. Application Submission:

• The deadline for submissions is Sunday 15.09.2024 at 23:59.
• Each participant, whether a model or a photographer, can submit a maximum of 3 different photographs in total under their name. Limit counts all submissions in which their name appears, whether as a photographer or model for more clarity. They can feature the same subject or different ones. Duplicate submissions of the same photo are not allowed. 
• Models are allowed to participate as a group, but with a maximum of two people.
• Participants must ensure the submitted photograph has not been entered in previous competitions.
• Participants are required to attach an unedited photo to their application.
• The photograph must have been taken during the year 2022 – 2024. Photographs taken earlier than January 1st, 2022, will not be accepted.
• The person submitting the photograph must be the photographer or model. Collaborative works are accepted, but all contributors must be credited and agreed to use the photo.
• Submitted photographs will undergo a preliminary review to ensure they meet the competition requirements.
• After the submission deadline, participants will receive a follow-up email informing them if they have secured a place in the competition or not.
• The approved works (finalists) will be showcased in a gallery at J-TSOON:BPF on the 2nd and 3rd of November 2024.

3. Photography Rules:

• Photographs can capture subjects from any genre or theme, only cosplay photography is allowed.
• There are no restrictions on the type of equipment used; both professional cameras and mobile devices are welcome.
• Post-processing is allowed, but extensive photo-collaging that changes more than small details is restricted. Photo retouching, however, is still permitted.
• Photography must adhere to a standard of respect and decency. The use of obscenities, profanities, gestures encouraging violence, and pornography is strictly prohibited. 
• Entries that go against cultural and/or social norms will not be permitted. Every participant must ensure that their photography is ethical and maintains an aesthetic and respectful tone.
• Watermarks or any other distinguishing marks on the photo are not allowed.

4. Judging Criteria:

The cosplay photography contest will be judged by a group of three professional juries who will evaluate the following criteria:

• Composition: Evaluation of the overall arrangement and visual elements within the photograph.
• Technical Excellence: Assessment of technical aspects, including focus, exposure, and sharpness.
• Creativity and Originality: Recognition of unique perspectives, creative approaches, and originality.
• Adherence to the source material: how well the atmosphere of the source material is conveyed, faithfulness to original design details, and overall representation of the essence of the character.

5. Organizational Matters Related to the Competition:

• Due to limited slots, priority will be given to ensuring a diverse representation of participants. After reviewing all the submissions, only 20 will be presented at the event.
• The participant holds the rights to their submitted photograph.
• Participants must attend J-TSOON:BPF to enter the Photography Competition.
• Participants must arrive at the designated registration time, which will be provided in the email after your application is accepted for the check-in.
• Festival staff may request an identification document from participants in case of any suspicion regarding the participant’s identity. This could be a passport, ID card, driver’s license, or student ID.
• By submitting a photograph, participants agree to allow J-TSOON to display their work during the event. (in both digital and non digital way)
• By participating in the competition, participants consent to the use of photos for J-TSOON:BPF promotional purposes, including proper attribution to the photographer/model(s).
• Winners will be officially announced at the Award Ceremony, and prizes will be distributed accordingly.

Note: The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the competition to ensure fair judging, maintain order, and ensure the safety of all participants.

By applying to the competition the competitors agree to adhere to the rules.

For any additional questions, please reach out to our email cosplay@j-tsoon.ee.