Viva Circus Festival Awards 2025
Rules and Regulations
Viva Circus Festival Awards, organized by Viva Vertical Malaysia PLT, is a pole and aerial competition that encourages artists to fully explore and express their creativity.
Our commitment is to offer a platform where you can bring your artistic vision to life on stage.
The grand finals of the Viva Circus Festival Awards 2025 will take place from April 11th to 13th, 2025 (Friday to Sunday),
at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC). The schedule is as follows: April 11th and 12th is reserved for venue rehearsals and competition day, and April 13th will feature the Festival Gala, to which all finalists are invited. Participation in the Gala is encouraged but not mandatory.
Submission Details
Before submitting, please ensure that you have read and understood the rules and regulations provided.
Submissions Open: October 1, 2024
Submissions Close: November 30, 2024
Click Here for Submission Form
or copy/paste this url https://tinyurl.com/VCFAwards2025
(Payment Methods Available in Submission Form)
Important Notice
a. Viva Vertical Malaysia PLT shall not be responsible or held liable in respect of injury, damage occurred to you.
b.Competitors must sign the waiver of liability before the competition.
c. Competitors may not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the day of competition.
d. Competitors may not be pregnant on the day of competition.
e. Competitors should not be engaged in any communication with the judges at any time while the event is taking place.
f. In the event when change is deemed necessary for safety reasons, it will happen immediately and you will be informed as soon as possible either verbally or in writing.
g. Competitors agree that Viva Vertical Malaysia PLT can use photos and footage for advertising, promotional and commercial uses.
Submission Video and Fee
a. Submission video can be in any length but the judges will only judge the first 2:30 mins.
b. Video validity should be within one year.
c. Video must be bright, sharp focus and in high resolution.
d, Video must be captured in one continuous shot and cannot be edited or combined.
e. (For pole competitors) Must showcase on both static and spinning poles.
f. Submissions do not guarantee a place in Grand Finals. All submission videos will go through a preliminary round of selection.
g. A NON-REFUNDABLE submission fee will be charged for each submission.
Remark
• The prices displayed include 8% Sales and Service Tax (SST).
• For payment through credit card or PayPal, additional fees may apply.
• Viva Vertical students are entitled for RM50 off on your next credit package purchase. Kindly contact our admin before your purchase.
Categories of Competition
There are three divisions available:
i) Youth Division (Aged 17 and below)
ii) Senior Division (Aged 18 to 39)
iii) Master Division (Aged 40 and above)
In each division, there are five equipment options:
a. Pole
b. Aerial Hoop
c. Aerial Hammock
d. Aerial Silk
e. Open Category - Any other equipment (trapeze, rope, cube, strap and etc), DOUBLES and GROUP acts
Youth Division (Aged 17 and below)
In Youth Division, each equipment is divided into Amateur and Semi-Pro, definition as below:
Amateur
• Individuals who have never participated in a competition before.
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Youth Amateur category but have not placed or won.
Semi-Pro
• Individuals who have previously competed and placed or won.
Senior Division (Aged 18 to 39), Master Division (Aged 40 and above)
In Senior Division and Master Division, each equipment is divided into Amateur, Semi-Pro and Pro, definition as below:
Amateur
• Individuals who have never participated in a competition before.
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Amateur category but have not placed or won.
• Individuals employed as instructors or performers are not allowed in this category.
Semi-Pro
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Amateur category and placed or won.
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Semi-Pro Category but have not placed or won.
• Individuals, whether instructors or performers, who receive compensation in any form within any pole or aerial discipline.
Pro
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Semi-Pro category or higher and have placed or won.
• Individuals who have previously competed in the Professional category or similar in a competition.
Remark
• Won refers to champion or overall champion, placed refers to 1st and 2nd runner up.
• In the event that the minimum number of contestants are not met for a standard category, it may be combined with the next appropriate category.
• A competitor's category level is determined by the equipment used. For example, if a competitor who is an Aerial Hoop instructor has won in the Aerial Hoop Pro category but has never competed in a Pole competition, they may join the Pole Semi-Pro category.
• For DOUBLES and GROUP entries, the category will be determined by the highest level of any member within the group. The same rule applies to age groups. For example, if one group member is in the Pro category, the entire group will be placed in the Pro category.
• The competitor's age shall be determined based on their age as of December 31, 2025. For example, if a competitor's birth date is June 6, 1985, he/she is considered aged 40 in the year 2025 and should join the Master division.
• The organizer reserves the right to amend or restructure the above conditions as needed, making most reasonable endeavors.
Finals Music
a. Finals music edit must be submitted no later than 16th February 2025.
b. Finals music is to be at least 3 minutes long and not exceeding 4 minutes in length.
c. Cutting a song or mixing more than several songs is approved.
d. All competitors are responsible for the quality and submission of their music.
Equipment
While VCFA allows use of grip aids, please note that the grip aids should only be applied onto competitor’s hands or body. Applying grip aids directly onto the equipment is strictly NOT ALLOWED.
(For aerial competitors) Crash mat will be added for aerial act. Equipment height will be set at the starting height. Please arrange a hoist cue assistant to provide direct instructions to our hoist control crew if routine involves ascents and descents.
Please note that the specifications below are subject to change. More details and the stage plan will be provided only to finalists.
Pole
a. 2 x 40mm competition X-Pole.
b. One static and one spinning
c. Competitors are required to clean their own poles before their respective turn.
d. Competitors may arrange for a pole wiper assistant if they prefer not to clean the pole themselves.
Hoop
a. 1 x 95cm hoop tape in black colour.
b. 1 x 100cm hoop tape in black colour.
c. Hoop provided will be attached to a set of 2 carabiners and 1 swivel.
d. Competitors are allowed and recommended to use their own hoop.
Hammock
a. 1 x hammock
b. Hammock provided will be attached to a set of 2 carabiners and 1 swivel.
c. Competitors are allowed and recommended to use their own hammock.
Silk
a. 1 x Red colour silk.
b. 1 x White colour silk
c. Silk provided will be attached to a set of 2 carabiners, 1 swivel and knotted onto figure eight.
c. Competitors are allowed and recommended to use their own silk.
Performance and Judging
a. Performances that are deemed to fall within below categories, will be subject to disqualification.
i) Racist
ii) Homophobic
iii) Likely to incite hatred towards or vilify a minority
iv) Indecent exposure of private parts
b. Performance will be judged based on Viva Circus Festival Awards judging criteria. Please note judging criteria will only be provided to finalists.
c. The decision of judges will be final.
d. (For pole competitors) Competitors are required to perform on both static and spinning pole.
Costumes and Props
a. In Malaysia, the display of nudity or partial nudity in public is prohibited under the Penal Code and local decency regulations. Events featuring such acts may face police intervention, legal repercussions, and potentially the termination of the event by the authorities. Organizers could also be subjected to fines and additional legal consequences. To ensure compliance and protect all participants and organizers, it is essential to adhere to the following dress code: All competitors must wear bottoms that fully cover the pelvic area and entire buttocks. The use of G-strings and thongs is strictly forbidden. Furthermore, tops should not reveal an excessive amount of cleavage or breasts. These dress code guidelines are uniformly applied to competitors of all genders.
b. Removal of costuming requires organizer pre-approval.
c. Points will be deducted for any costume slips/excessive exposure.
d. Costumes may NOT include:
i) Promote materials of any business or individual.
ii) Obvious underwear or lingerie.
iii) Swimwear or bikinis – transparent clothing that does not cover the breast or pelvic area.
iv) May be barefoot or in heels.
e. Competitors are allowed to wear and include any props (inanimate or human, no animals are allowed) in your act provided that:
i) The space allows it physically.
ii) Competitors transport it themselves into the space.
iii) It can be set up and removed within 30 seconds.
f. Props may NOT include:
i) No fireworks, fire, oil, water or paint.
ii) No confetti cannons, powder or glitter.
g. Please note competitors are required to clean up their own props after performance.
h. Please note that competitors need to purchase a show ticket for each of the human prop(s), hoist cue assistant(s) or pole wiper assistant(s).
Clarification
By submitting the form, you agree to the rules and regulations.
Should you require any further assistance, please kindly write us an email.
