I.B.M. Contest

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR STAGE CONTEST APPLICATION

CLICK HERE FOR CLOSE-UP CONTEST APPLICATION

 

Convention Contests General Information and Rules 2024

The I.B.M. contests have been accepted as the benchmark for well-organized, quality, non-political convention contests. The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance and the I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-Up Performance are two of the most prestigious prizes in the magic world.

This year’s in-person contest will be held at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown Hotel, Tacoma, Washington.

Contest applications will be accepted as follows:

A completed contest application and a video or digital recording of the contest act for the I.B.M. Stage Contest or the I.B.M. Close-Up Contest should be submitted and received via email no later than 10:00 p.m. CST, May 3, 2024. Please place in the subject line: I.B.M. 2024 Contest. In addition to the application and recording, contestants must include a headshot/photo.  In the event the contestant is named a finalist, the picture will appear in the contest section on the convention poster.

This recording should be contest ready, as it will be your admission to the preliminary round of contests.  The recording will be viewed by a panel of the contest committee from which finalists in each contest will be chosen.  Finalists’ must perform the act demonstrated in the recording submitted to the committee panel, during the finals contest.  Significant deviations must be approved by the Contest Chairperson prior to the convention.

All preliminary contestants will be notified of their acceptance, or lack thereof, to the finals by May 31, 2024. Persons not in the finals may still sign up to perform at the Open Mic event. Sign up for Open Mic will occur at the registration desk at the convention.

The finalists of the Close-up Contest will be competing on the Thursday afternoon of the convention.

The finalists of the Stage Contest will be appearing on the Friday evening “International Stage Championship and Gala Show.”  Following the conclusion of the Friday evening show, awards for each of the finals will be announced.

NOTICE- NO Pyrotechnics or the use of candles or sustained open flame may be used in either the Close-Up or Stage Contests. Note: The use of large amounts of confetti, (small pieces of any material -i.e. silk, cotton, paper, foil, etc.) which can be caught in air condition uptake, or sand is to be used in limited amounts. No glitter may be dropped onto the stage.  Any violation of these criteria can result in immediate disqualification as determined by the Contest Chairman. 

The Gold category top prizes are given at the discretion of the judges and are not always awarded annually. There must be at least three (3) contestants in each category in order for an award to be given in that category. In the event fewer contestants participate, the Contest Chairman may choose to award the 1st place and Award of Merit trophies, or refrain and just give the Award of Merit.

Synopsis of the I.B.M. Convention Contest Awards and Prizes

  1. I.B.M. Stage Contest – Youth Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 7-17 includes a 1st Place trophy and $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The Award of Merit (second place) for performance includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize. In the event a youth is elevated to receive the Gold Medal, the recipient will receive a total of $2,500.
  2. I.B.M. Stage Contest – Adult Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 18 or over, includes a 1stPlace trophy and $1,000 (US Currency) cash prize. Should the award be elevated to the I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence at the discretion of the judges, the recipient will be awarded an additional $2,000 and the Gold Medal.  The Award of Merit (second place) includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.
  3. I.B.M. Stage Contest People’s Choice Award:  This award includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The winner of this award is selected during the International Stage Championship by the audience present.
  4. I.B.M. Close-Up Contest – Youth Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 7-17 includes a 1stPlace trophy and $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The Award of Merit (second place) for performance includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize. In the event a youth is elevated to receive the Gold Cups, the recipient will receive a total of $2,500.
  5. I.B.M. Close-Up Contest – Adult Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 18 or over, includes a 1st Place trophy and $1,000 (US Currency) cash prize. Should the award be elevated to the I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence at the discretion of the judges, the recipient will be awarded an additional $2,000 and the Gold Cups. The Award of Merit (second place) includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.
  6. I.B.M. Close-Up Contest People’s Choice Award:  This award includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The winner of this award is selected during the International Close-Up Championship.
  7. Karrell Fox Comedy Award:  The winner must have entered the I.B.M Stage Contest and shown a sense of comedic timing and wit over and above expectations.  This award is not given annually and is given by a unanimous decision of the judges.

The Youth Category first-place winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest will receive the fabulous FANTASMA Youth Prize Package. (This prize package is only available to winners who live within the 48 contiguous United States. For those outside the contiguous 48, other prizes will be arranged. The package includes:

  • Round trip airfare for two within the 48 contiguous states to New York City.
  • Hotel accommodations for two nights.
  • All the FANTASMA Magic you can carry…and more surprises and memories that will last a lifetime.
  • Lunch with a famous magician.
  • Magic show tickets.
  • An opportunity to perform on-stage or close-up in New York.
  • Special meetings with celebrity magicians to discuss your act.

Rules and Procedures of I.B.M. Stage and Close-up Contests

All clarifications or final decisions concerning the below rules are to be addressed by the Contest Chairperson.

 

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS

CONTEST RULES & PROCEDURES 

  1. All contestants of the International Brotherhood of Magicians contests must be members in good standing.
  2. All contestants and assistants must be registered for the Annual Convention and complete contest application forms for each contest entered.
  3. Applications completed for the youth contest must be signed by the contestant’s legal guardian.
  4. Applications must be received via online or e-mail to the contest chairman before the deadline.
  5. Contest performances may not include the knowingly unauthorized use of intellectual property.
  6. No contestant may be a paid performer or lecturer on any of the Annual Convention shows or events, or a paid provider of any other services performed in the interest of the Annual Convention.
  7. As the audiences at the Annual Convention may include children, no “blue material” will be permitted.

 

PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTESTS: 

  1. Three contestants in each category are necessary in order to ensure an award be given.  In the event fewer contestants participate, the Contest Chairman may choose to award the 1st and the Award of Merit trophies, or refrain and just give the Award of Merit.
  2. Contestants are required to attend the pre-contest briefing, unless prior notification is given to the Contest Chairperson.  At this briefing, contestants will learn the order of appearance and time of tech preparation schedule for each contest.
  3. On the day of the contest, the timing of the contestant’s performance will begin after their name is announced.  The time limit of the performance is 10 minutes.  Deductions and possible disqualification may be imposed if the time limit is exceeded.
  4. All decisions concerning interpretations of, and exceptions to the rules in this section will be made by the I.B.M. Contest Chairperson.
  5. The use of candles or sustained open flame are prohibited.  Use of these items may result in disqualification as solely determined by the Contest Chairman.
  6. Unsportsmanlike behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and are grounds for disqualification.
  7. It is possible for a youth to win the Gold Medal or Gold Cups.

CLOSE-UP CONTEST

  • Contestants must be present and check in with the Contest Chairperson at the location designated for the Close-up Contest at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the contest.
  • Although facilities vary, a preparation/waiting area “Green Room” will be provided. In the performance area, the contestant will find a cloth covered table (size and shape will depend on availability), chairs, an electrical outlet, and audience members from which up to two spectators may be preselected.
  • Each contestant is allowed two (2) minutes to set up the equipment necessary for their performance. An announcer will introduce the upcoming contestant. Each contestant is allowed one (1) minute to strike (remove equipment) at the completion of their performance. 

STAGE CONTEST

  • On assigned contest day, each contestant must check in with the Contest Chairperson backstage and locate a designated preparation area.  Only convention registered performers and assistants appearing on stage are allowed backstage. 
  • Contestants will not be allowed to use large amounts of confetti or anything which will leave the stage littered upon the conclusion of each performance. Cleanup time for each act should be no more than three (3) minutes.  In the event the contestant drops a large number of cards, umbrellas, fans, no more than a handful of confetti, etc., onto the stage, a drop cloth must be used.  (Drop cloth should be provided by the contestant. It is imperative that each Contestant have a clean stage on which to perform, therefore, each Contestant should leave the working area and backstage area clean upon conclusion of set.)

JUDGES’ PROCEDURES

CLOSE-UP CONTEST - The Close-up contest will be judged by selected judges consisting of magicians registered for the convention and will not receive monetary compensation for their time. Following the completion of the contestants’ performances, the judges will meet to discuss the awarding of the Gold Cups.

STAGE CONTEST – The preliminary contest will be judged by a panel of Contest Committee appointed judges. These judges will consist of members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and will not receive monetary compensation for their time.  

The Stage Contest Finals will take place at the Friday night stage show and will be judged by a select number of I.B.M members registered for the convention and will not receive compensation for their time. Following the finals contest, the judges will move to a private area and any Gold Medal contenders will be discussed.

If you have questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact the

Contest Chairman– Melody Munoz at Ibmcontestmunoz@gmail.com