$25,000 in Cosplay Contest Prizes to be Awarded at Anime Expo 2011
Who said you can’t make money in fandom? Clearly whoever said such tings has’t heard about the amazing prizes being offered up at Anime Expo 2011. Anime Expo, the largest anime and manga convention in North America, attracts tens of thousands of costumed fans each year. And for 2011, there will be $25,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, to celebrate the convention’s 20th anniversary.
How does that prize money break down? Well, a cool $10,000 cash prize will go to the “Best of Show” winner in the Masquerade competition. The $10,000 award will make it the richest anime costume competition in North America. The second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 respectively. Winners of the Midnight Tea, Pop Shock Masquerade and other Anime Expo cosplay competitions will split approximately $12,000 in cash and prizes.
“The fans who work so hard on their costumes and performances all year long and who make Anime Expo so exciting will be well rewarded in 2011,” said Marc Perez, Chairman and CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces the event. “In addition to the large awards in the formal Anime Expo competitions, we’ll have a roving team of judges giving on-the-spot prizes like tickets to exclusive events and valuable collectibles to outstanding cosplayers they see anywhere throughout the Convention Center.”
Anime Expo is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live from July 1 – 4, 2011. This year it will feature the biggest exhibition and program in its history. Ticket prices range from $45 for a one-day adult pass to $75 for a four-day adult pass. A one day for children ages 5 – 12 is $25. Children 1 – 4 are free. For more information, visit www.anime-expo.org.
