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Idol Festival

The Idol Festival showcases various idol, J-pop and K-pop dance cover groups. This is a fun, non-competitive platform to perform and is a fantastic opportunity for exposure, meeting new friends, and growing both individually and as a group.

Get ready to hit the stage! The Idol Festival is a showcase of J-pop, K-pop, and idol dance cover groups. Perform in a casual, low-pressure setting or go all-out for a competitive event!

Come ready to perform, and get ready for your moment in the spotlight!

Important note: The Idol Festival Showcase will be on an outdoor stage. All outdoor programming is weather permitting. There is no guarantee of an indoor alternative should the weather be deemed unsafe to perform and outdoor programming is cancelled.

Idol Festival at Otafest

Eligibility

  • CosplayCosplay is encouraged but not required!
  • Audio submission deadlineYou must have audio submitted in MP3 format prior to April 7.
  • Pre-registrationPre-registration is required. No day-of registrations will be accepted.
  • Be on timeFailing to show up to check-in will result in your performance being cancelled. No exceptions.
  • Performance timeAll entries are permitted 2 songs or a maximum of 10 minutes of performance time, whichever comes first. Additional time cannot be granted.
  • Admission to OtafestAll participants require valid admission to Otafest on the day of their performance.
  • Registration deadlineAll participants are required to be registered individually or with a group prior to April 7.
  • Performance datesPerformance dates are subject to change based on stage availability.
  • Spots are limited Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot. Should the event fill up, you will be placed on a waiting list.
  • Application periodApplications for Idol Festival open January 1 and close April 1.

When are groups chosen?

Groups will receive an acceptance, rejection, or waitlist email by April 30. If this timeline changes, you will be notified via email.

Event-specific rules

  • Competitive

    Idol Festival Contest

    • Competitive event.
    • J-pop and Idol (Japanese) cover groups allowed.
    • Availability during Friday of Otafest.
    • Individuals can perform in maximum of one group.
  • Non-competitive

    Idol Festival Showcase

    • Non-competitive event.
    • J-pop, K-pop, and Idol cover groups allowed.
    • Availability during Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of Otafest*.
    • Individuals can perform in maximum of two groups.

*Date subject to change without notice. Valid admission to all 3 days of Otafest strongly recommended.

**In the event the Contest and Showcase are merged, performers may only participate in ONE event.

What is allowed?

  • Dancing.
  • Singing in addition to dancing.
  • Jpop, Kpop, Idol (Vocaloid, Project Sekai, etc) music as permitted by the event type you're entering.
  • Self-choreographed dances.
  • Props (must still follow Otafest's policies, not make a mess, and not be difficult to clean up).
  • The Idol Festival Coordinator may make changes to any of the above without notice, or deem music/dance inappropriate for the selected rating of the event.

What is not allowed?

  • Self-choreographed dances (Contest).
  • Skit-style performances.
  • Singing heavy or singing only performances.

Any performance deemed inappropriate, or failing to follow the above guidelines will be removed or cut short without notice.

Format

Performances are scheduled consecutively. Competitors/groups will have their entire setlist judged, regardless of total performance time.

In the event Idol Festival receives many entries, audition videos will be used to select participants and the following will occur:

  • A waitlist will be created, or
  • Idol Festival will be split into two events; The Idol Festival Competition on Friday in Main Events, and the Idol Festival Showcase on Sunday on the Outdoor Stage”

The maximum duration of any Idol Festival event is 2 hours, subject to change based on stage availability. All participants require valid Otafest admission for the day of their performance, no exceptions.

Check-in

Check-in for both events is required on the day of the event.

Participants will have the following opportunities during check-in:

  • Check audio
  • Be informed of event changes such as cancellation or location changes
  • Drop songs or members from performance

Participants will not be able to:

  • Change setlist order
  • Add songs
  • Add members

Participants who fail to check-in without contacting idolfestival@otafest.com with a valid reason prior to the end of check-in time will lose the opportunity to perform. There will be no exceptions.

Option to compete

If there are enough participants, the Idol Festival Competition will continue. In the event there are not enough competitors, the event will be changed to the Idol Festival Showcase, with participants notified.

Categories for the Idol Festival Competition are divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories, with the possibility to be further divided into solo/duet and group. Participants will be placed into categories based on audition video entries, but may request specific categories prior to the application deadline. The coordinator reserves the right to move previous Idol Festival Winners into higher categories.

Subcategories

Beginner
  • Has never participated in a competition before, or
  • Has never won an award before
Intermediate
  • Has participated in a competition before
  • Has won fewer than 3 awards
Advanced
  • Has participated in a competition before
  • Has won more than 3 awards

Please note, these are only guidelines to help participants determine which category best fits. Final placement of the participant into a category is determined solely by the coordinator.

Awards

Unless the Idol Festival Contest does not proceed, the following awards will always be available to win:

  • Best Beginner
  • Best Intermediate
  • Best Advanced
  • Judges Choice
  • Best In Show

The number of available awards and/or wording of awards may vary.

Judging criteria

Below is the list of categories groups will be judged on, and examples of how the category is judged. In the event a category does not apply to a group, that category will not affect the overall score. All final scores are given as a percentage to maintain fairness.

  • VocalsWere vocals well rehearsed? Did they add to the performance?
  • PerformanceWas the performance well rehearsed? Did movements look refined?
  • EnjoyabilityHow engaging was the performance? Was the audience engaged?
  • SynchronizationWere performers in-sync? How were position changes handled?
  • Stage PresenceHow comfortable were the performers on stage? How did stage presence add to the performance? How engaging were the performers?
  • Stage UseHow well did the performer(s) use the stage? Was the stage used at all?

All categories are scored 1 to 5 (or N/A). The lowest any group can score is 20%.

Audio

All audio you wish to use for your performance must be submitted via the application form, or submitted to the Google Drive linked to you prior to April 7. We cannot accept any last-minute changes, or audio submitted via other means after this date.

Only audio submitted in MP3 format and in accordance with the above delivery instructions will be accepted, we cannot accept other forms of audio submission (e.g. USB stick, .wav format, etc.)

Audition videos

All applications require an audition video, regardless of whether the event applied for reaches capacity. If the event reaches capacity, audition videos will be used to select participants via independent jury (i.e. a panel that does not contain any Idol Festival staff.)

Audition video criteria:

  • Must have been recorded between May 1 2026, and April 14 2027.
  • Must contain all participating members.
  • Must be one continuous video with no cuts.
  • Must be between 60-90 seconds long. Videos that exceed or do not meet the time requirement will not be considered.
  • Must showcase all aspects of planned performance (i.e. if singing must include singing, must include dancing, etc.)
  • Does not have to be a song from the current setlist.
  • Members do not need to be in cosplay/performance outfits.

Frequently asked questions

How many songs am I allowed to perform for the Idol Festival Contest?

The rules regarding performance time are the same for both Idol Festival events. All groups are permitted 2 songs or 10 minutes of performance time, whichever comes first.

Can my audio files contain multiple songs if it doesnt exceed 10 minutes?

Each audio file must contain only 1 song. The exception is mashup songs that contain sections of multiple songs without breaks between them. The coordinator has the final say on whether an audio file is acceptable.

Do all of my songs get judged for the contest?

Yes! If you are competing, your entire setlist will be judged.

Both of my groups want to enter the Idol Festival Contest, can you make an exception?

Unfortunately we cannot. Participants are limited to performing with a single group to keep the contest fair for everyone.

I missed the deadline to apply! Is it too late?

If you have just missed the deadline, you may still be able to be added to the waitlist for the event. Send an email to idolfestival@otafest.com to inquire.

Joining the waitlist does not guarantee entry. We will only contact you if a spot becomes available after initial applications have been processed.

Can I still make changes after the deadline?

It depends on the change you want to make.

You can still make these changes after the deadline:

  • Remove a song from your setlist.
  • Reorder your setlist.
  • Remove a group member.

We cannot accommodate these changes after the deadline:

  • Swapping songs.
  • Swapping or adding new group members.
I can’t make the check-in time. Can I still perform?

Unfortunately, groups that miss the designated check-in time will not be permitted to perform. We are unable to make exceptions for late arrivals.

Can I see my scores from the contest?

Yes! To request your judging card, please send an email to idolfestival@otafest.com and specify the name of your group.

I participated in a past Idol Festival. Can I still see my score?

You can inquire about past judging scores by emailing idolfestival@otafest.com. Please include the name of your group and the year you participated.

While we do our best to maintain all records, we cannot guarantee that we have documentation for every year.

Can I get a recording of my performance?

While we can’t guarantee every performance is filmed, you can request your video by emailing idolfestival@otafest.com.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for our team to search for the footage and send it to you.

Terms & conditions

Click to expand - terms & conditions
  1. GENERAL GUIDELINES
    1. Setlist Approval
      1. Your complete setlist must be submitted with your application.
      2. If any song is deemed inappropriate, the Idol Festival coordinator will contact you to revise the setlist. A failure to provide an appropriate alternative may result in your application being rejected.
    2. All-Ages Content Mandate
      1. All performances must be strictly appropriate for a general, all-ages audience.
      2. If a performance is deemed inappropriate during the event, the Idol Festival coordinator has the absolute discretion to cut the music and end the performance immediately. The group will be asked to leave the stage and the remainder of their setlist will be forfeit.
  2. LOGISTICS AND CONDUCT
    1. Mandatory Check-in
      1. All groups must check in during the time slot specified in their acceptance and follow-up emails.
      2. Groups that do not check in on time will not be permitted to perform.
    2. Substance Policy
      1. Group members are forbidden from consuming alcohol or drugs, or being intoxicated during any scheduled Idol Festival activity. This includes check-in, pre-show meetings, and the performance block itself.
      2. Any individual or group found violating this rule will be immediately disqualified from performing and may be subject to disciplinary action.
  3. WAITLIST POLICY
    1. Confirmation Required
      1. If your group is placed on the waitlist, you must email to confirm your acceptance of the waitlist spot by the date provided.
      2. Groups that fail to confirm their spot will be removed from the waitlist under the assumption they are no longer interested.
  4. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
    1. Groups may be subject to disciplinary action for contravening any article in these terms & conditions.
    2. Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to:
      1. A permanent ban from participating in any future Idol Festival event.
      2. A temporary ban of a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years from participating in any Idol Festival event.
  5. PROPS AND EQUIPMENT
    1. Prop Policy
      1. All props must comply with the general Otafest Props Policy.
      2. Props must be easy to clean up. You are responsible for leaving the stage exactly as you found it.
      3. The Idol Festival team reserves the right to reject the use of any prop at any time, without notice.
    2. Liability and Damages
      1. You use props at your own risk. Otafest is not liable for any damage to your props or any injury caused by them.
      2. Otafest will seek financial compensation for any damages your props cause to the stage, lighting, or any other festival equipment.
  6. COMMUNICATION
    1. Official Channel
      1. All official communication must be sent to and from our official email: idolfestival@otafest.com.
    2. Submission Changes & Emergencies
      1. Any changes to your application must be communicated to us before the deadline.
      2. In an emergency that prevents you from performing, you must contact us as soon as possible. Failure to do so may be treated as a “no-show” and result in disciplinary action.
  7. DISCLAIMER
    1. The Idol Festival team reserves the absolute right to approve, deny, reschedule, or cancel any performance at any time, for any reason.

Idol Festival application

Click here to apply