Competitions

To keep you busy in the leadup to the convention, we're running a number of competitions. We're offering some very nice prizes indeed to make entering worth the trouble, for writers, cosplayers and performers, and artists.

The theme for Au Contraire 2013 is "regeneration". Where practical, it's preferable for competition entries to relate to the theme in some way, but it can be interpreted very broadly. All entries for all competitions should be science fiction or fantasy based.

You do need to be a member of the convention to enter most of our competitions. Supporting memberships are available for those who can't attend in person.

Filking Competition

While the short story competition is closed, you've still got a chance to try your hand at lyric writing. The filking competition is basically a songwriting competition for lyrics based on science fiction, fantasy, or fandom. The usual method is to write new lyrics to an existing song, but original music is also welcome. First prize is $100 in book vouchers, with another $50 in runnerup prizes.

Rules

• The lyrics must be your own work, though joint entries are welcome.
• The lyrics must be written primarily for this competition; pre-existing filks are not eligble.
• No more than three entries per person, whether individual or joint.
• Entries must be accompanied by your full name and your aucontraire.org.nz username.
• The lyrics must be emailed to us for all entries.
• Optionally, you may send us a recording of the performance along with the lyrics, or you may perform the filk yourself at the convention; or just tell us what the tune is.
• Any recordings should be in MP3 format, and accompanied by both the text of the lyrics and details of who contributed to the performance.
• You need to be a member to enter.

Deadlines

• Lyric-only entries must be received by 1 June 2013
• Recordings (optional) must be received by 1 July 2013
• Lyrics for self-performed filks must be received by 1 July 2013

Enter here! Or check out the Filk Zone forum if you have questions about the competition or filking in general and to meet other filkers.

Cosplay Competition

The big cosplay event is the Masquerade on Saturday night. There will be a Grand Prize of $500 in book vouchers for the best entry, and an additional pool of $300 in vouchers for runnerup prizes in various categories. See the entry form for more details.

Deadline

• You must submit the entry form by 1 July 2013

Hall Costume Spot Prizes

As well as the formal Masquerade, we'll be issuing spot prizes for the best dressed attendees over the course of the convention. On Friday, these may include vouchers to spend at the Floating Market after the opening ceremony. You don't need to have made your own costume to be eligible for these!

Art Show

We will be holding a show of science fiction and fantasy art at the convention, with a Grand Prize of $500 in book vouchers for the best entry, and an additional pool of $300 in vouchers for runnerup prizes. Both 2D and 3D works are welcome, in any media, but must be entirely your own work; photomanipulations are not eligible, unless you take the source photo(s) yourself. If desired, works may be offered for sale. More details forthcoming.

Short Story Competition - Closed

Entries for our short story competition closed at the end of January, but we received a fantastic bunch of entries. Many of the best will be included in the anthology Regeneration: New Zealand Speculative Fiction II from Random Static, which will be launched at the con. The first Random Static anthology, A Foreign Country, won the Sir Julius Vogel award for Best Collected Work, and consisted largely of Au Contraire 2010 competition entries.

In addition to paid publication in the anthology, there will also be a Grand Prize of $500 in book vouchers for the best story as judged by our Guest of Honour Jennifer Fallon, and an additional pool of $300 in vouchers for runnerup prizes. These winners will be announced at the convention closing ceremony.