You’ve got the skill, but do they?
We’re looking for passionate fans to join our team of contest judges! Step behind the curtain and see the incredible talent of our community up close. We’re on the hunt for enthusiastic people with a sharp eye for detail.
Put your skills and knowledge to use by becoming a judge for one of Otafest’s various contests.
We’re looking for enthusiastic folks with a keen eye for detail to help us choose the best of the best in our events!
You know your stuff, and now's your chance to share that knowledge and help choose the winners.
Hang out with fellow fans and judges to make lasting connections!
Not only do you get a free weekend pass to Otafest, but you get the best view of the action!
See the creativity and dedication of our amazing participants up close.
Idol Festival: Friday
Cosplay Showcase (Craftsmanship): Friday
Cosplay Fashion Show & Skit Contest: Saturday
Applications open January 1, 2026 and close March 1, 2026.
Applicants will be informed of selection by the end of April.
Any applicants who are not selected will be put on a standby list. Should a selected judge not be available, applicants on the standby list will be contacted.
Applicants are selected based on applicability to the contests they have selected.
Judges must be present at least 30 minutes before their event starts and stay for the entire duration. Some contests may require an additional 30 minutes after for final deliberations. We can’t consider applicants who are not available for the full event. If you are accepted but fail to show up, you will be barred from judging at all future Otafest events.
Judges will receive a complimentary weekend pass to Otafest and early entry to the event they are judging. Please note that only one pass is provided per person, regardless of how many events you judge. This pass is a privilege and requires judges to follow all Otafest policies. Failing to do so will result in the immediate revocation of your pass and a permanent ban from judging future events.
Judges are not allowed to participate in any event for which they are a judge. If you have signed up for a contest you’re also judging, your contest entry will be automatically removed from that event unless you choose to withdraw your judging application instead.
The same goes for our Idol Festival judges: you are only permitted to perform in the non-competitive Idol Showcase. If you’ve entered the competitive Idol Festival, your entry will be automatically changed to the non-competitive showcase.
Selections will be made by the end of April. We will notify all applicants as to whether they've been accepted or waitlisted at that time. If this timeline changes we will notify you via email.
