Japan Fursuit Creators’ Competition 2023

A Message from the JFCC Staff

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020, we have lost the opportunity to showcase everyone's creations. Fursuit creators must've faced many struggles.

We would like to support the fursuit creators who have been working vigorously during these difficult times.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

From all JFCC staff, the JMoF Executive Committee

Event Outline

Application Period

October 8th (Sat.) - November 26th (Sat.), 2022

Agenda

• October 8th (Sat.), 2022: Applications open

The application form will be published on this page. Please fill out the required information (outline, points of appeal, etc.) to describe your creation.

• November 26th (Sat.), 2022: Applications close
• Around the beginning of December 2022: Contact with Details

We will contact you with details such as the overall schedule of the day via email.

• January 7th (Sat. / 3rd Day), 2023: The day of the competition

Please come to the venue at the time shown below.

Date and Time

January 7th, (Sat./Day 3), 2023, 10:30 - 12:30 (JST)

Place

1F Holiday Hall D

Awards

• [Grand Prix] 1 work
• [Category Award (Artistry/Technique/Challenge)] 1 work for each

Note: One cannot win both the Grand Prix and a Category award.

• [Participation Award]

We are going to present all contestants with a memento on the day of the competition.

Judging

Our panel of judges, who are invited by the JFCC staff, with rich knowledge about fursuit creation will evaluate based on the design, modeling, technique, challenge, etc.

They will refer to materials submitted by contestants in advance and the demonstration on the runway. Please note that we regard the demonstration as an additional display of your works, so the evaluation will not be influenced by movements or performances.

Note: To assist with the performance, one supporter is allowed to follow the fursuiter on the runway and support them during judging.

Note: Someone other than the creator of the fursuit is allowed to put on the fursuit and appear onstage.

The scoring table used in the competition is as follows.

Note: The scoring table may change without notice.

Note: “Additional item by the judges” will be different between the judges, and announced on the day of the competition.

Note: Individual scores will not be published to the general audience.

Entry Information

Qualification Requirements

• Your fursuit must be an unannounced work, or had its first reveal after January 13th (Mon.), 2020, excluding those that were presented at JMoF 2022.
• The fursuit design must be original and new (including a remake of your own character).
• You must submit materials for judging after you send the application form by the specified deadline.
• You must complete your work by the day of the event, and prepare to show it in perfect shape.

Note: One applicant can submit only one fursuit. For teams, only representatives will be counted.

Application Period

October 8th (Sat.) - November 26th (Sat.), 2022

How to Apply

Please fill out the application form and send it to us by the deadline.

Note: For details regarding submission materials, please click on the “Details on the Submission Materials” tab above.

Regarding Contact in Advance

After accepting your application, we will contact you in advance.

Note: If you don’t receive a message from us within one week after completing the application, please contact us through the “Contact” page.

Remarks

• During the performance and the judging, one supporter will be allowed to enter the venue to assist the fursuiter.
• The submitted materials will be used for judging, and also may be shown at the venue or on our official website.

FAQ

Q. Can I enter the competition even if my fursuit isn't finished yet?

A. There's no problem if you apply to enter the competition, even if your fursuit isn't completed yet. Please be sure to have the fursuit ready to go and presentable on the day of the competition.

Q. Can I use a fursuit that I've remade?

A. For fursuits with alterations, so long as all of the parts are remade according to the entry conditions, you are able to enter it into the competition.

Q. After submitting an entry to the competition, can I go back and change the contents of the application afterwards?

A. It is possible. Changes to information after your submission will be handled via e-mail. Please note that we may not be able to support changes if they are requested right before the competition.

Q. Is it alright if someone other than the creator puts on the fursuit and performs?

A. There's no problem.

Q. If I'm not staying at the Loisir Hotel Toyohashi hotel, where will I be able to change into the fursuit?

A. If you cannot change inside a hotel room, we plan to have a special Changing Room space. Please contact us separately regarding this.

Q. Do I have to go to the venue in the fursuit? And do I have to wait throughout the entire event wearing the fursuit?

A. Please come to the venue wearing the fursuit. While waiting, you're free to remove parts of the fursuit (like the head, etc.). We are planning to have waiting spaces backstage and the Headless Lounge.

Q. Can we use props during our performance?

A. Yes; however, please do not bring anything that is prohibited in the JMoF Attendance Rules. Also, extra points will not be awarded for the use of props.

Regarding Submission Materials

• There are many fields to fill out and images to submit, so please prepare well in advance.
• You don’t have to translate your description into other languages except for your name and the fursuit name.
• We recommend that your submitted images are as clear as possible. In addition, the format of your image data should be either JPG/PNG.
• Your submitted materials will be used for judging and may be shown during the performance or on our website.

Note: Normally we will use the submitted materials as they are, but please note that we may edit them if necessary.

Information Required for the Application

Entrant Information

Entrant Name

For group entries, please write the names of all members. Also, please write the roles each member had in the creation of the fursuit, and clearly mark who the representative is.

Contact Number on the Day of the Competition

Please write a cell phone number that can be used to contact the representative on the day of the competition.

Character Outline

Please write an outline for the character of the fursuit piece.

Name of the Fursuit Piece

Pictures of the Fursuit Piece

Please submit up to 5 pictures that show off the whole fursuit, and/or from the chest up. These submitted photos will be introduced by displaying them on the screen during the performance. Note that you do not have to submit the photos now, during the application time. If you choose to send them later, please send them to us by December 3rd (Sat.), 2022 through e-mail. If the fursuit is not completed by this time, please submit illustrations that show off what the completed fursuit would look like.

Species

Please describe the species of the character. Imaginary ones are also accepted (Example: Wolf, Ae. c. caudatus, Protogen, etc.).

About the Character

Please describe the character, including the origin of the name, personality, features, etc. (400 character limit)

Design

Please write about the design of the fursuit piece.

Character Design Details

Regarding character design, please write about the design specifics, what you wanted the design to convey, etc. If there was a reference or a motif of some kind for this work, please write about it. (400 character limit)

Blueprints / Design Drawings (Optional)

If you have any blueprints, design drawings, model sheets etc., please submit them. You are able to submit up to 1 image. If you wish to have multiple drawings introduced, please put them all into one image. The submitted image will be displayed on the screen during introductions at the time of the performance. Please make it landscape orientation, and try to avoid using small font as much as possible. Please note that the lack of a submission will not influence judging.

Images of References or Motifs for the Character Design (Optional)

If there are images that show any references or motifs used in the character design that you mentioned in "Character Design Details," please submit up to 5 of them. Please note that the lack of a submission will not influence judging.

Favorite Features of the Design

Please describe the features or things you like the most, or want people to see in your character's design. (400 character limit)

About the Creation Process

Please write about the creation of the fursuit piece.

Is This Your First Creation?

If this is the representative's first work, please let us know.

Reason for the Creation

Please describe your motivation for creating this work. If this is your first work, please also describe what made you start creating a fursuit. (400 character limit)

Special Considerations in Fursuit Creation

Please write about what is important to you when creating fursuits. (400 character limit)

Appeal

Please write up to three things about your work you especially think are strong points, and about the ingenuity involved to express them. (400 character limit)

Images Relating to Appeal

Please submit a maximum of 5 images for each point of appeal written in the "Appeal" section. Also, please sumbit images of the piece in the middle of creation, and any images relating to your workflow and ingenuity, if there are any. Note that you do not have to submit the photos now, during the application time. If you choose to send them later, please send them to us by December 3rd (Sat.), 2022 via e-mail.

What You Would Like Everyone to See in Particular

Please describe what you want the judges and crowd to see in particular regarding your work. We will consider how best to introduce the content written here to everyone while your performance is being displayed on the runway.

Challenges Faced During Creation

Please describe the challenges you tried to tackle in creating this work. (600 character limit)

Images of the New Trials in the Creation

Please submit up to five images that show the new challenges that you have described above in creating the work. Note that you do not have to submit the photos now, during the application time. If you choose to send them later, please send them to us by December 3rd (Sat.), 2022 through e-mail.

Difficulties During Creation

Please describe the difficulties you faced in creating this work. (400 character limit)

Thoughts and Feelings After Completion

Reflecting on the entire creative process, please write about how you felt during the process and what kind of feelings you had when you completed the piece. This will not be used in the final evaluation, but will be introduced as the creator's thoughts at the venue. (600 character limit)

Runway Music (BGM)

For the music playing during your performance, you can either select one from the list below, or submit a song according to the rules below.

If You Want to Select Music from the List

Please select one from the list below. These songs will be provided by us.

• Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
• Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars
• Pharrell Williams - Happy
• The Black Eyed Peas - Pump It
• The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin’ Beats
• Denny Schneidemesser - Crayon Dragon

If You Want to Submit Music

Please submit a track according to the rules below.

• The length of your music data should be at least two minutes.
• The format of your music data should be either MP3/AAC.

Note: Normally we will use the submitted music data as it is, and will play it from 0:00 (the very beginning) in the performance. Please edit it before submitting if necessary.

Note: You don’t have to submit it at the same time as the application, but please submit it through email by December 3rd (Sat.), 2022.