🌌 The Premise:
Every 222 years, an ancient orbital convergence reactivates a forgotten gateway above the Nile Delta. Beings from across the stars descend — not to invade — but to celebrate.
The Intergalactic
Masquerade Ball is a high-stakes, off-world gala of status, memory, and power. Held in the floating ruins of Old Kemet, it's an elite invitation-only event where aliens and humans alike wear armour, attire, and masks that aren’t just decorative — they’re functional, mystical, and dangerous.
These garments may shift gravity, archive ancestors, control sound, or disguise entire species.
Every stitch matters.
Every mask hides more than a face.
And every outfit is a message — to allies, enemies, or gods.
🧥 The Challenge:
VISUAL ENTRY (Required)
Create a cinematic
full-body image of your character — human or alien — dressed for the Intergalactic Masquerade Ball.
Use MidJourney, Flux, digital art, or hand-drawn illustration
Think elaborate masks, transformative textiles, levitating accessories, semi-sentient fabric, biologically responsive jewellery
Afrocentric inspiration is essential — from ancient Dogon robes to neon bead-coded data suits.
TEXT ENTRY (Required)
Submit a character profile and costume breakdown (max 300 words) that includes:
Name & species/origin
world
Purpose of attending the Ball (spy, ambassador, fashion icon, weapon…)
Mask details — function, aesthetic, tradition, or tech
Key features of the outfit — fabrics, enhancements, symbolic elements, embedded functions
Optional: Reputation or rumors surrounding this character’s previous Ball appearances.
🧠 Afrofuturist Edge:
This isn't fantasy cosplay. This is African-inspired fashion-as-technology, identity-as-armor, and costume-as-currency. Every look tells a story of lineage,
resistance, or cosmic ambition — wrapped in shadow and starlight.
🏆 Prizes:
🥇 First Place: $50 + full newsletter feature + possible inclusion in The Codex of Galactic Style PDF artbook
🥈 Second Place: $25 + feature
🥉 Third Place: $10 + honorable mention in “Best Dressed Across the Cosmos” visual reel
Select entries will be added to an Urban Fantastic transmedia visual anthology or adapted into future digital runway reels and interactive maps.
📬 Submit to: marksmanstudios1@gmail.com
Subject line: "Intergalactic Masquerade Ball."
Attach your image and/or paste your write-up in the email.
📅 DEADLINE EXTENDED: 8th March 2026
Attach your art + text entry. You may include your social handle if you'd like to be tagged.