Anime Music Videos  ◊  Art Show Awards  ◊  Comic Book Quick Sketch  ◊  Cosplay Contest  ◊  Dawn Look-Alike Contest  ◊  Dragon-After-Dark  ◊  Friday Night Costuming Contest  ◊  Dragon*Con Independent Short Film Festival  ◊  Hallway Costume Contest  ◊  Masquerade Costume Contest  ◊  Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant  ◊  Mr. Star Wars 2009  ◊  Star Wars Costume Contest 2009  ◊  Robot Battles™ 

Anime Music Videos

Director: Michael "Doc" Allgood

Info coming soon!!

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Art Show Awards

Directors: John and Anne Parise

While the Art Show Jurors determine who wins most of our Awards, the Convention attendees may vote on a portion of the Art Awards called the Special Awards. Attendees may get a ballot upon entering the Art Show from the Volunteer Greeters at the entrance.  As the attendee walks through the Art Show, they simple fill out the ballot with their vote for each category and then drop it into one of the ballot boxes located throughout the Art Show room.  Please check the “You Are Here” maps for box locations.  The Art Awards ceremony is on Saturday evening for Artists only after the Art Show closes.  However, the attendees may check back on Sunday to see if the Artist they voted for won their category.  All attending Artists determine the prestigious Artist Choice Award winner. The categories are as follows:

Juried Student Awards:

• First Place


• Second Place


• Third Place

Juried Awards:

• Best Color


• Best 2-D


• Best 3-D


• Best Black and White


• Best Jewelry Art


• Best Mixed Media


• Best Photography


• Best Doll


• Third Place


• Second Place


• First Place


• Best in Show

Special Awards:

• Best Warrior


• Best Amazon or Fairy


• Best Dragon


• Best Alien


• Best Spaceship or Space Scene


• Most Humorous


• Best Horror

Attending Artists Award:

• Artist Choice Award

For more detailed information on the Art Show, please click here.

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Comic Book Quick Sketch

Director: Marilee Coughlin

So, you think you can draw? Think you can draw quickly? Come on out and we'll see. The Comic Book Quick Sketch is open to all con attendees. Check your program book or check in at the Contest Registration table in front of Centennial Ballroom in the Hyatt for more information about time and locale. It is usually in the Learning Center of the Hyatt on Monday morning, but please verify in your program book.

Contestants will have 30 to 45 minutes to draw, color, and letter a character, a comic book page, or whatever th`eir fevered imaginations can create. Plain 8 ½ x 11 white paper and pencils (both black and colors) will be provided. If your preferred medium is something other than that, please bring it to the contest.

When our Celebrity Artist Proctor says "Pencils down," the creations will be collected and judged. Two winners will be declared in the 18-and-under category and two in the adult category (over 18, not because of content)--one winner for best single drawing and one for best comic book page. What can you win? A plaque proclaiming you are the winner in your category AND . . . while the contestants are doodling, drawing, lettering, and creating, our guest artist(s) will be doing the same - and the original signed artwork becomes prizes for the winners.

We have had Jim Lee, Jeff Smith (Bone), Bob Burden, Georges Jeanty, and Dan Brereton as our artist-judges.

Come on down and try your skills!

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Cosplay Contest

Director: Jake Tarbox and Jessica Merriman

The Anime and Animation tracks at DragonCon are proud to bring back the Cosplay Contest! The Cosplay Contest location and time will be listed at the convention in the pocket program, and please be sure to come by Pre-Judging if you wish to enter the contest! Pre-Judging will be held in the Anime Programming room prior to the contest: you’ll parade your costume in front of our panel of judges and they will rank the winners based on craftsmanship and accuracy. Contestants are judged on their costume only, no skits will be allowed. All entrants will then get a chance to show off their handiwork at the Cosplay Contest on the stage! Contest forms will be available on-site at Pre-Judging only.

Note: Dragon*Con hosts a plethora of costume contests. We ask that only costumers with animation, Japanese anime, or video game costumes enter the cosplay contest.

Dragon*Con Cosplay Contest Rules & Guidelines

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Dragon-After-Dark

Director: Cat Harrison

Our rapidly growing Dragon-After-Dark contest on Saturday spotlights macabre and mature-themed costumes. We see them in the hallways and at the bar, but this provides a chance to display them in a venue that does not compete with the noise or interruptions of the typical social setting!

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Dawn Look-Alike Contest

Director: Cat Harrison

Grand Prize:$1,000 Prize

Joseph Michael Linsner's Dawn is one of the hottest characters in comics, so in 1998 we hosted the first-ever Dawn Look-alike Contest, with a $1,000 cash First Prize. For 2009, it will be held Saturday evening. If you're a fan of beautiful women, it's an event you won't want to miss. If you look like Dawn - or know someone who does - it's a great way to win $1,000 in cash! The contest is fully authorized by Joseph (who'll be on hand for the contest), and Dawn's publisher, Sirius Comics. There is NO PRE-REGISTRATION for this contest; register at the Contest Registration table in the Hyatt in front of Centennial Ballroom at the con.

Great news for contestants: Though Dawn is usually depicted with red hair, she has occasionally appeared on various covers as everything from blonde to brunette, so hair color will not be a factor in the judging. Instead, contestants will be judged based on how well they capture the image and spirit of Dawn - confident yet mysterious, and sexy without being sexist. Unlike most comics characters, Dawn doesn't have a "standard" costume, so contestants can wear anything from fantasy lingerie to an exotic dress to futuristic armor. Your local comic book store will have images of Dawn (on comics, books, or trading cards) you can use for reference or you can check out any of several Web sites devoted to Linsner's Dawn on the World Wide Web. In addition to the $1,000 first prize, there will also be prizes for second and third place.

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Friday Night Costuming Contest

Director: Cat Harrison

This Costume Contest focuses solely on Costuming and will be held Friday night. Judges will be looking at the costume itself, the workmanship, design, and inspiration. This will be open to groups and individuals, experts and novices, and costumes from mainstream or self-creative. Although there will be one “celebrity” judge, the panel will mostly be people with extreme costume backgrounds.

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Dragon*Con Independent Short Film Festival

Director: Matthew M. Foster

We focus each year on showcasing the finest independent short films from around the world!

Films will be judged in specific categories, which will be determined by the festival director, based on the genres of the submissions. For example, in the past, awards were presented in the following areas: Animation, Gothic Horror, Extreme Horror, Horror Comedy, General Comedy, Documentary, Fantasy, Magic Realism, Science Fiction, and Spoof.

For more detailed information on the Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival, including submission rules and schedules (when they are available), please click here.

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Hallway Costume Contest

Director: Marilee Coughlin

Contest staff will be roaming the halls of all venues with digital cameras, taking pictures of those folks who are too shy to get up on stage in the Masquerade, but who have great costumes. We will also take pictures at the Contest Registration table in front of the Centennial Ballroom in the Hyatt. We will need your correct name and badge number in order to enter the contest. The pictures will be displayed at the Contest Registration table in the Hyatt in front of Centennial Ballroom. You may purchase a copy of your official entry picture for $10–with the proceeds going to the Dragon*Con charity of the year.

All con-goers (including children) will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite. Contestant photos will be posted on the boards near the Contest registration table in the Hyatt in front of Centennial Ballroom by Sunday morning–the voting takes place Sunday until 5:00 PM. This is the only event decided by POPULAR vote at the con. Winners will be announced at the Masquerade.

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Masquerade Costume Contest

Director: Marilee Coughlin

In the grand tradition of convention costuming, dating back nearly five decades in SF fandom, Dragon*Con is proud to present the largest Masquerade Costume Contest in the Southeast and one of the largest in the world!

The Dragon*Con 2009 Masquerade Costume Contest will be held in the Hyatt Centennial Ballroom. Registration for the Masquerade will be available during the con at the Contest Registration Desk located outside the Centennial Ballroom in the Hyatt. We'll be open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There is no pre-registration. Simply drop by the Contest Registration Desk during the con and register.

NOTE: Reminder - time limits for contestant performance–individuals are limited to 90 seconds (a minute and a half) and groups to three minutes.

NOTE: New for 2009 - Your CD will be retained by the Masquerade staff after the track is approved at contest registration.

For more detailed information on the Masquerade Costume Contest, including location, time, deadlines, and rules, please click here.

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Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant

Director: Eric L. Watts

RECOGNIZED BY AMERICA ONLINE AS ONE OF
THE TOP 11 OFFBEAT BEAUTY PAGEANTS TWO YEARS IN A ROW!

AS FEATURED IN DISCOVER MAGAZINE!

AS FEATURED ON THE FOX NEWS WEB SITE!

AS SEEN IN SPIN MAGAZINE!

AS FEATURED IN SHOCK MAGAZINE!

The Eleventh Annual Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant is open to any qualified attending female member of the 2009 Dragon*Con, who is at least 21 years of age, except for members and relatives of the TrekTrak Staff, TrekTrak Programming Committee and/or Dragon*Con General Staff, who agrees to abide by the rules of this contest as posted on the TrekTrak web site.  There is NO registration fee nor any additional cost to participate.  Membership in or affiliation with any Klingon-oriented organization (i.e., KAG, KLAW, etc.) is not required.
Contestants in the 2009 Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant will be judged in three separate categories.  They include:

"Beauty" --- Contestants will be judged on the quality and professionalism of their costumes, make-up and "modeling."  Contestants may assume the identity of any Klingon female character from any incarnation of Star Trek, or any original Klingon persona of their own creation.  Contestants will be asked to walk a runway in their Klingon persona.  Poise, grace and the authenticity of her persona will be the criteria for judging.

"Talent" --- Contestants will be allowed NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES to demonstrate a talent or skill.  Contestants may sing, dance, act, perform or make any other type of presentation that demonstrates a talent or skill so long as the presentation does not endanger herself, other contestants or the audience.  (In other words, no flaming bat'leth twirling, etc.)  Contestants are encouraged but not required to present a Klingon-themed talent or skill.  Originality and the authenticity of her persona will be the criteria for judging.  Contestants must disclose to the TrekTrak staff their talent intentions prior to the convention for planning purposes, but such information will be kept strictly confidential.  Audio, video or other technical equipment needed for a specific talent presentation can usually be provided with sufficient advance notice.

"Personality" --- Each contestant will either be asked a question to which she must respond, or be asked to perform some simple task on the spot.  The authenticity of her answer or performance, and of her persona, will be criteria for judging.

For more information about the Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant, please visit www.trektrak.com/2009/09pageant.htm.

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Mr. Star Wars 2009

Director:Brandy Roatsey

We're out to find the ultimate fanboy.  No, this isn't a trap.  It's an improv, think on your feet, try to be funny, show us your swagger, and get bonus points for your SW knowledge and use of quotes kind of contest to find the greatest fanboy in the entire universe.  Think you've got what it takes to be Mr. Star Wars 2009...come to SW@D*C, but come prepared!

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Star Wars Costume Contest 2009

Director:Brandy Roatsey

Think you're a dead ringer for Han Solo?  Got a killer General Grievous getup?  Can't decide if Princess Leia or Padme Amidala had a better wardrobe?  Actually, whether novice or expert, fan or competitor, come on out to the SW Costume Contest at Dragon*Con this year.  Participate or spectate, it's sure to be a great time!

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Robot Battles ™

Director: Michael 'Shaggy' Macht

"Since 1991, Robot Battles has been staging robotic combat competitions around the United States, with annual events in Chattanooga, Tennessee at Chattacon, in High Point, North Carolina at StellarCon, in Atlanta, Georgia at Dragon*Con, and new to 2009 we'll be in Orlando, Florida at MegaCon. We have also held events in Denver, Colorado and Huntsville, Alabama and are looking to expand with more events every year.

Robot Battles is the second-oldest robotic combat competition in the world, and is a direct descendant of the oldest - the Critter Crunch held every year at MileHiCon in Denver, Colorado. We don't have a TV show, we don't have supermodels, and we don't have huge cash prizes. What we do have is a radio disc jockey with very poor taste in costumes, the most involved audiences in the country, the most imaginative builders around, and the most unique stage hazards in the sport, ranging from rubber snakes to stuffed animals to soft spongy rubber ducks.

For more detailed information, including the complete list of rules, please visit their website at: www.robotbattles.com

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