Contests

Participate in our contests for OneAnime 2025 – show off your creative skills and win prizes!

AMV Contest

An Anime Music Video (AMV) is a video production that uses footage from one or more animated works in conjunction with a musical track to create a fresh piece of performance art.

Did you know you can learn how to edit your own AMV? Check out our Learn How section below for tutorials by our AMV guru, Chris.

If you would like to enter our AMV contest for OneAnime Halloween 2025 at the Davis Convention Center, sign up below. Please review all rules and guidelines before entering!

AMV Contest
Contest Rules & Guidelines
  1. Contest entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm MST on October 15th, 2025. If your submission is late, please contact us ahead of time so that accommodations may be considered. We understand that international shipping can be difficult; however, we absolutely cannot accept any video submissions AFTER October 8th, 2025. No exceptions!
  2. Videos submitted to this contest must have a finalization date of no older than January 1st, 2025. Videos older than this must be authorized by the contest staff. All inquiries should be sent to [email protected] via email.
  3. By submitting your video, you grant OneAnime and its affiliates an unconditional license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise utilize your submission (in whole or in part) for promotional purposes. Credit will be attributed to you.
  4. You affirm that your video is entirely your creation and does not infringe on any third-party rights. If it does, you must provide proper authorization or a license upon request.
  5. Each editor is allowed to submit up to 4 videos (including multiple editor projects).
  6. All submissions must be no longer than 7 minutes in length. Videos exceeding this limit will be disqualified.
  7. Submissions must adhere to a uniform standard of decency (aiming for a PG-13 rating). Videos containing excessive violence, explicit sexual behavior, or overly explicit lyrics will be disqualified.
  8. Approximately 80% of each video must consist of footage from an anime/manga source. Non-anime animated material is not encouraged.
  9. No less than 75% of the video’s runtime must have musical accompaniment.
  10. Subtitles are allowed only for artistic or thematic reasons. Videos with fan-sub or official subtitles, credits, or incidental text that are not removed will be disqualified.
  11. Videos must be at least 640×480 (full screen) or 640×360 (widescreen) in resolution and use an approved compression format.
  12. Parody videos of original or derivative material are allowed provided all rules are followed.
  13. Videos will be sorted into categories by the judges; your selection on the submission form is only a recommendation.
  14. We will add a bumper before and after each video (displaying title, source, editor nickname/studio, and category). Do not add your own bumpers, logos, links, or intros, or your entry may be disqualified.
  15. All judging decisions are final. For questions, contact [email protected].
  16. For multiple editor projects, designate one Contact Editor for all correspondence.
  17. Only one copy of each submission will be accepted. Duplicate submissions will be vetted on a “first come, first served” basis.
  18. By entering a multiple editor project, you confirm you have permission from all involved editors and grant OneAnime the permission to use your submission for promotional purposes.
  19. Prizes for multiple editor projects will be identical to single editor entries. If multiple editors win, all will be acknowledged.
  20. All prizes will be shipped to the provided address. Please allow 4–8 weeks for delivery; OneAnime is not responsible for shipping delays.
AMV FAQs

What is an Anime Music Video? An AMV is a video production that combines footage from one or more animated works with a musical track to create a new piece of performance art.

How does the AMV contest work? Editors send us their AMVs, which are pre-screened by our judges. The best submissions from each category will be showcased at OneAnime Halloween 2025. Both audience votes and judge evaluations determine the winners.

How do I submit an AMV? Use our online submission form. All digital submissions and emails containing download links must be received by the deadline.

What are the acceptable video formats? We prefer common formats such as AVI, MP4, MOV, MPEG2, and MKV. Videos must be at least 640×480 resolution.

What audio formats are acceptable? Acceptable audio formats include WAV, PCM, AC3, and MP3 at a minimum bitrate of 160kbps.

Do I have to be present at the contest? No, you may designate a proxy to accept prizes on your behalf.

Are entries sorted by category? Yes. Entries are sorted into categories (e.g., ACTION, COMEDY, DRAMA, CATEGORY X).

What awards are available? Awards include category-specific popular vote awards, Best in Show/Fan Favorite, a Local Award, and a Judges’ Award.

Cosplay Contest

Show off your costume and stage presence at our Cosplay Contest. This year, judging is based on stage presentation and overall entertainment value. (Craftsmanship judging has been removed.)

Note: Participation is limited to 25 contestants. Walk-ons may sign up on Saturday, Oct 19, 2025 if space is available (standby if not). Please email your application if the online form fails.

Cosplay Contest
2025 Cosplay Contest Rules
  1. OneAnime is a family-friendly convention. Performances must maintain a PG rating and cannot contain nudity, cursing, or sexually explicit situations. Costumes must abide by OneAnime’s coverage rules. (Body paint is not a substitute for clothing.)
  2. Weapons and props must adhere to OneAnime’s security rules regarding peace bonding and visibility.
  3. Costume, set, and prop size must not exceed 7.5’ high x 6’ wide x 3’ deep (except for collapsible items). Contact the Cosplay Director if you have questions.
  4. Costumes that have won awards at previous OneAnime events or major awards at other conventions (e.g., “Best in Class,” “Best in Show,” or “Best Overall”) are not permitted.
  5. Walk-ons have 45 seconds; skits have up to 3 minutes (with 1 minute allowed for set-up/take-down of props). There are no exceptions.
  6. Audio must be provided as an MP3 file attached to the Tech Needs form. Links (YouTube, Dropbox, etc.) are not acceptable.
  7. Maximum group entry size is 8 people.
  8. Requests for additional assistance (e.g., getting on/off stage, microphone use, stage ninjas) must be submitted in advance.
  9. All entrants must submit progress photos as “proof of life” by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2025, to [email protected]. Failure to do so will forfeit your spot.
  10. Entrants must check in at the Cosplay Desk during the designated hours or risk forfeiture of their entry. A mandatory check-in meeting is held on Saturday, Oct 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
  11. Optional rehearsal is available on Friday, Oct 18, 2025 during the Second Hand Sale (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). Enter through the Events Greenroom only.
  12. No running on stage, skating, or using props that cannot be easily removed (e.g., confetti, glitter, liquids, pyrotechnics). Unauthorized use will result in disqualification.
  13. You must be registered for OneAnime to enter the contest. Late on-site entries may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Audio for on-site entries must be on a flash drive in MP3 format.
  14. For safety, please arrive at the judging location at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Participants 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  15. Staff or volunteers entering as “Craftsmanship Only” must schedule their judging on Friday, October 18th (unless a conflict has been arranged prior to October 4, 2025).
  16. A cosplayer may only be part of a single entry. You cannot enter as both a solo and a group member, or submit in multiple categories.
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