Heya !
Today let me introduce you a new type of post I wanted to do for a long time : the presentation of all major cosplay contest that exist in France and in Europe !
Let's start with the one I have tried : the french championship or Coupe de France de Cosplay (CFC).
Presentation of the constest
This contest have been created in 2016, the first final took place in december 2017 at Toulouse Game Show. The association behind this contest is Bulle Japon, an association that organize cosplay contest in France, Belgium and Switzerland. This year it will be the 4th season. They select 29 contestant from metropolitan France and 1 contestant from the Reunion.
How to participate ?
During a year (or half a year, depending on the season) all the french associations cooperate to organize at least one selection per region and up to 3 selections. You have to be born or live in the region you wish to particiapte and be 18 years old before the final.
For example, I was born in Paris (Île de France) but I live in Angoulême (Nouvelle Aquitaine). So I can participate for selection in Île de France or in Nouvelle Aquitaine.
Every contestant can try up to three time be select for the final. If their region don't have three selection (for example, someone who live in Normandie only have one), they can try to be selected for bordering regions (still, they can only participate 3 times to any selection).
To be able to participate to a selection, the contestant should have made their costume by hand (or at least, 70% of the costume). The constant have to prepare a skit (up to 1 minute 30 of prestation max). If the contestant win, he's select for the final at Toulouse in December.
The final
The cosplayers that won their selection before June have to make a brand new costume for the final and a new skit. Cosplayers that have been selected after the 1st June don't have to prepare a new costume but have to make a new skit.
The organisation is helping the constestant by paying them hotel and transportation to the final location. Every constestant can bring one accompagnant to help them get in costume, carry their bag and more.
The prize are huge : the french champion get 2000 euro in cash, partner prize like a 3D printer and he gets to judge the next final of the contest alongside the cosplayers that got a prize !
After the final
The winner gets a lot of invitation for convention in France to select cosplayer for the next edition of the championship. The winners generally get really known in the french cosplay community, it can allow them to get sponsored by some brand or be able to earn money with print selling, book selling and much more (not a lot of course but sometimes it allow them to create costume thanks to their merch sales).
Here's some photo of the winner of the championship alongside a link to their skit !
Livanart cosplay : season 3 champion. Skit
Minalee cosplay : season 2 champion. Skit
Ellebasi cosplay : season 1 champion. Skit
Koneko : season 3 thrid place. Skit
Lady Sundae : season 2 2nd place. Skit
Chimeral cosplay : season 1 2nd place. Skit
Last words
I really love the cosplay contest world and especially this one, the staff really try to make the best contest possible, the constestant aren't here for the competition but to spend a great time together and that's why I love this contest and I hope one day to be able to get to the final to live this experience ♥
One of my friend manage to get selected for the season 3 final and she came back with a lot of great memories. That's the kind of experiences I want to live too that's why you'll see me going to much more contest ! :)
Oh and of course, due to the bad corona virus, most of the selection had to be cancelled (like, I've passed one of the last selection of this year for the moment !). But I'm not able to make a lot of contest as I got out of my Angoulême selection very tired (I was sleeping 14h a day and I was still tired and discovered a bit later that my blood pressure was low). But I still hope to be able to join this adventure one day !
Well, see you soon !