Cosplay Lip Sync Events

Prepare yourself for twice the thrill! Lip Sync fans, celebrate! Brace yourself for two lip sync extravaganzas: Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown and 18+ Lip Sync Battle!!

For more information about Lip Sync and its history at Kumoricon visit the history page!

Rules listed below were for the Kumoricon 2024 Lip Sync Events. Rules may be changed before applications for the 2025 Lip Sync Events open. Please review the final rules before applying.

Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown

You asked for it, and we're here to deliver! Join us for the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown, where cosplayers of all ages get on stage and lip-sync for their lives. Contestants will only be eligible for ONE lip sync event. Applications for both events will not be accepted.

18+ Lip Sync Battle

Back this year is the 18+ Lip Sync Battle. Watch as cosplayers 18 and older take the stage, bringing characters to life with their electrifying performances! Contestants will only be eligible for ONE lip sync event. Applications for both events will not be accepted.

**All rules for the 18+ Lip Sync Battle are listed after the showdown section.

The differences between the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown and 18+ Lip Sync Battle lie in the song choice, age restrictions, and competition structure. In the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown, contestants of all ages and skill levels compete against each other, with judges selecting the top two performers for the final showdown. Performance guidelines ensure all acts and songs are all-ages-friendly for maximum enjoyment! Contestants showcase their lip sync skills on the Kumoricon main stage.

On the other hand, the 18+ Lip Sync Battle features level categories—beginner, intermediate, and master—chosen by contestants upon application. Competitors then compete solely within their selected level against others of similar experience. Moreover, contestants enjoy greater song choice freedom without the need to adhere to all-ages-friendly language requirements.

Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown - All ages

Rules and restrictions

Eligibility

  • All participants must have a Kumoricon 2024 badge.
  • All participants must read and agree to follow all rules of the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown.
  • Performances previously entered in a Kumoricon Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown are ineligible.
  • By registering for the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown, all participants agree to allow Kumoricon to use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video. Photographs of winning entries may be shown at the Kumoricon Closing Ceremonies.
  • All convention policies must be upheld during the entirety of the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown competition. Disallowed behavior includes unwanted physical contact, threats, heckling or jeering, or any other form of rude, offensive, or disruptive behavior. Participants are not allowed to perform sexist, racist, culturally insensitive, or ableist acts while on stage or presenting during the event. This policy applies regardless of whether the behavior is aimed at a specific person. Anyone breaking Kumoricon rules will be disqualified and reported to Operations and Programming departments.
  • Kumoricon regular staff may enter the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown as long as staff-related responsibilities are fulfilled.
  • Kumoricon board members may not compete in the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown.

How to enter

  • Entries for the Kumoricon 2024 Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown will open August 9, 2024.
  • The deadline for online entry is September 27, 2024, at 11:59pm Pacific Time. At-convention entries may be available should any open slots remain.
  • The maximum number that will be allowed will be 20 acts.
  • Participants will be required to audition for the contest. To do so you must:
    • Submit a brand new 1-minute video of you performing a lip sync. The video must contain a full view of your body majority of the time. All performing members must be in the audition video and listed on the application form.
    • Submissions of any prior lip sync performances will not be accepted.
    • Please do not use filters (TikTok, Snapchat, etc.) on your audition video. Any video with heavy filters will not be considered.
    • Failure to follow the listed guidelines could result in your audition video being disqualified.
  • Entrants will be chosen by a small panel of judges and contacted within two weeks of the submission deadline. The top 6 entries not in the show will be put on the waitlist.
  • Entrants are required to attend the Check-In and Rehearsal and to show up at the requested time for the contest itself. Entrants who miss any of these events may be disqualified. This applies to waitlisted entries as well up until check-in. Please see the official Kumoricon schedule (once released) for times and locations of required meetings and activities.
  • There will be a 3-minute live lip sync performance on stage.
  • The top two entries will perform a final showdown lip sync to a pre-chosen song.

General information

  • Kumoricon is an all-ages-friendly event. Content should not go beyond a mild PG.
    • Offensive language of any kind is not allowed—no racial or sexual epithets; no profanity, etc.
    • No excessive violence.
    • All sexual jokes must have a non-sexual interpretation that is at least as obvious as the sexual one.
    • No nudity—all costumes must adhere to the official Kumoricon rules.
    • Be clever, not crass! If you think your costume or presentation might be too risqué or offensive, it probably is.
    • If you have a question about your content, please feel free to ask the Lip Sync Staff if it is allowable.
  • Group size limit of 5 contestants or less.
  • You may surprise the audience, but never surprise the crew.
  • No fire, flame, smoke, fog, dry ice, wind machines, lasers, pressurized gases, or liquids.
  • No messy substances—wet, dry, or oily—in the green room or on stage.
  • No jumping on or off stage—please use the officially designated stage entrances and exits.
  • Entrants must abide by the convention weapons policies. All weapons must be peace-bonded and approved. Pointing weapons at anyone not in your cosplay group will not be tolerated. The Lip Sync Coordinator must approve any actions involving weapons.
  • Contestants may not use stage time to make political, religious, insulting, or other demonstrations not related to their entry.
  • If for whatever reason one contestant is removed from competition for any violation, the entire group may be disqualified as well depending on the situation.
  • All decisions made by the Lip Sync Coordinator or Director of Programming are final and may only be changed by a formal challenge through Programming.
  • You must have some kind of foot covering. Shoes, sandals, or boots are required. Be aware of safety concerns. If your character does not wear shoes the lack of accuracy will be forgiven; consider flesh-toned or clear shoes.
  • For the safety of performers and audience members, stunts are not allowed as part of the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown, including (but not limited to) jumps on/off stage, front flips, back flips, throw based stunts, etc. Use designated entrances and exits when entering and exiting the stage.
  • Props larger than 2 feet are not allowed unless arranged in advance with the Lip Sync Coordinator. Any prop that will be tossed in the air needs approval ahead of time. The setup and removal time should be completed in less than 30 seconds. Props that leave any kind of mess are not allowed (petals, balloons, 3D puzzles, glitter, confetti, etc.)

Judging

Contestants are judged solely on their performance. Costume construction has no influence on the performance judging.

  • All entrants must give a performance.
  • Judges will complete a predetermined rubric of categories, which include creativity, lip sync skills, and stage presence, with contestants eligible to receive up to 5 points in each category. Additionally, judges will provide written comments on each rubric.
  • Scores are not taken into consideration for judges’ choice.
  • Each contestant will appear in only one stage performance.
  • The judges are free to give as many or as few awards as they choose.
    • Awards may include: Judge's Choice, Coordinator's Choice, and the Ultimate Showdown Award.

Performance

  • Performance will be judged based on the performance of the contestant/whole group.
  • Performance awards are granted to the entries that have shown excellent stage presentation.
  • Costumes do not have to be self-made.
  • Contestants must provide their own music.
    • File uploads are preferred for online entries.
    • You must also deliver your file by USB thumb drive at Check-In.
      • For this method, please include your person/group name and performance name in the filename.
      • One track is preferred; we cannot change tracks or start in the middle of a track.
    • We can accept MP3, M4A, and other common file types. We strongly prefer 128kbps or higher.
    • Bring backup copies of your audio on a USB thumb drive to ensure it's not lost. Kumoricon is not responsible for damage to or loss of USB thumb drives or any other media.
    • Clearly label your back-up USB thumb drive with person/group name and performance title.
    • We will not play or rip music off portable MP3 players, such as iPods or cell phones.
  • Leave the stage as clean as it was when you set foot on it. Arrange to remove all items you brought on stage at the end of your presentation. If you have a particularly intricate presentation, we recommend you recruit your own stage ninjas.
  • No entry may be a repeat of an entry from any previous competition at Kumoricon.
  • Don't plan for complex lighting. The default lighting cue is: lights go up, music starts, you come on stage right, you leave on stage left, music stops, lights go down. If you desire anything other than default lighting or music cues, discuss it with the Lip Sync Coordinator before the convention.

Song selection

  • Entry is limited to one (1) entry per person/group.
  • Songs may be from any category, but are limited to 3 minutes.
  • You must include the lyrics for the song you are using so that we may review for approval. If the song is not in English, you must include lyrics in the original language and the English translation.
  • No heavily edited audio (added voice lines, original medleys, etc.). Editing for time is okay.
  • Be prepared to perform at least two different songs. If two people have the same song, one or both will be asked to sing an alternate song.

The "Showdown"

You can't have a true showdown without a face off! Contestants will be given a song prior to con to practice for the final lip sync performance! The top two contestants will face off at the end of the event for the Ultimate Showdown Award!

18+ Lip Sync Battle

Eligibility

  • All participants must have a Kumoricon 2024 badge and be 18 years old or older.
  • All participants must have an age 18+ hand stamp.
  • All participants must read and agree to follow all rules of the 18+ Lip Sync Battle.
  • Performances previously entered in a Kumoricon Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown are ineligible.
  • By registering for the 18+ Lip Sync Battle, all participants agree to allow Kumoricon to use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video. Photographs of winning entries may be shown at the Kumoricon Closing Ceremonies.
  • All convention policies must be upheld during the entirety of the 18+ Lip Sync Battle competition. Disallowed behavior includes unwanted physical contact, threats, heckling or jeering, or any other form of rude, offensive, or disruptive behavior. Participants are not allowed to perform sexist, racist, culturally insensitive, or ableist acts while on stage or presenting during the event. This policy applies regardless of whether the behavior is aimed at a specific person. Anyone breaking Kumoricon rules will be disqualified and reported to Operations and Programming departments.
  • Kumoricon regular staff may enter the 18+ Lip Sync Battle as long as staff-related responsibilities are fulfilled.
  • Kumoricon board members may not compete in the 18+ Lip Sync Battle.

How to enter

  • Entries for the Kumoricon 2024 18 + Lip Sync Battle will open August 9, 2024
  • The deadline for online entry is September 27, 2024, at 11:59pm Pacific Time. At-convention entries may be available should any open slots remain.
  • The maximum number that will be allowed will be 15 acts.
  • Participants will be required to audition for the contest. To do so you must:
    • Submit a brand new 1-minute video of you performing a lip sync. The video must contain a full view of your body majority of the time. All performing members must be in the audition video and listed on the application form.
    • Submissions of any prior lip sync performances will not be accepted.
    • Please do not use filters (TikTok, Snapchat, etc.) on your audition video. Any video with heavy filters will not be considered.
    • Failure to follow the listed guidelines could result in your audition video being disqualified.
  • Entrants will be chosen by a small panel of judges and contacted within two weeks of the submission deadline. The top 6 entries not in the show will be put on the waitlist.
  • Entrants are required to attend the Check-In and Rehearsal and to show up at the requested time for the contest itself. Entrants who miss any of these events may be disqualified. This applies to waitlisted entries as well up until check-in. Please see the official Kumoricon schedule (once released) for times and locations of required meetings and activities.

General Information

  • This is an age 18+ event.
    • Explicit language is allowed up to coordinator's discretion.
    • Avoid characters that appear or are portrayed as minors. Characters must be established as 18 years or older in the canon from the start of the series.
    • No excessive violence.
    • No nudity—all costumes must adhere to the official Kumoricon dress code.
    • Be clever, not crass! If you think your costume or presentation might be too risqué or offensive, it probably is.
    • If you have a question about your content, please feel free to ask the Lip Sync Staff if it is allowable.
  • Group size limit of 5 contestants or less.
  • 3-minute song performance for each entry.
  • There is no showdown. Entities will choose the level that best suits them.
  • For the safety of performers and audience members, stunts are not allowed as part of the 18+ Lip Sync Battle, including (but not limited to) jumps on/off stage, front flips, back flips, throw based stunts, etc. Use designated entrances and exits when entering and exiting the stage.
  • Props larger than 2 feet are not allowed unless arranged in advance with the Lip Sync Coordinator. Any prop that will be tossed in the air needs approval ahead of time. The setup and removal time should be completed in less than 30 seconds. Props that leave any kind of mess are not allowed (petals, balloons, 3D puzzles, glitter, confetti, etc.)
  • All other rules unless otherwise stated are the same as the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown.
  • The 18+ Lip Sync Battle will be run in three levels:
    • Beginner, Intermediate, and Master.
    • There will be an award for each category winner and an overall Best In Show.
    • Participants who have previously won a category award in the prior years 18+ Lip Sync Battle will be automatically moved up a level, excluding the master category. Once a participant reaches the masters, they will remain in that category.

Audition guide

Check-in

Important: If chosen, you must check yourself in at Main Events (time to be determined—see schedule once it is released) to confirm your spot in the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown.

The 18+ Lip Sync Battle tech rehearsal will most likely take place at a separate time than the show, which is Friday night. Rehearsal and show check-in time is to be determined. Please check the Kumoricon official schedule for location and time of rehearsal and show. There will be an email sent out to participants once further information is known.

Contact

Please email our Lip Sync team with any questions at lip.sync@kumoricon.org.

Entry form

Applications for the Kumoricon 2025 Lip Sync Events will open closer to the convention.