General Policies
[ Global ]Rules & Conduct
House colors, duo eligibility, and battle mandates.
The
Mandate.
This judging philosophy guarantees fairness, consistency, and cultural authenticity in every category at the IMA Heritage Ball. Judges are expected to recognize creativity, technical skill, personal expression, and community engagement, all while respecting the deeply ingrained traditions of ballroom and vogue culture.
The philosophy applies equally to live and hybrid audiences, ensuring that both in-person and digital performances are evaluated with the same rigor and respect.
Core Principles
Authenticity & Respect
Honor the cultural, historical, and stylistic traditions of ballroom and vogue.
Creativity & Originality
Reward innovation, risk-taking, and memorable presentation.
Technique & Skill
Assess precision, control, and execution with a trained eye.
Presentation & Impact
Evaluate charisma, stage presence, and the ability to captivate an audience.
Fairness & Consistency
Apply the same standards to every competitor, free from bias.
Hybrid Evaluation
Judge live and streamed performances with equal care and attention.
Judge Qualifications
Experience & Expertise
Minimum five years of active involvement in ballroom/vogue culture. Prior judging at recognized events is strongly preferred.
Cultural Knowledge
Deep understanding of the historical and cultural significance behind Realness, Performance, Runway, and Fashion.
Impartiality
Ability to remain unbiased and consistent, even when evaluating friends, public figures, or well-known participants.
Hybrid Competency
Understanding of technical considerations such as lighting, camera angles, and audio quality for virtual participants.
Select categories require 10 tens in Part 1 to advance to the next round.
Mr. & Miss IMA is weighted heavily for production and stage presence. Other categories shift emphasis based on primary skills being evaluated.
Judges are custodians of ballroom and vogue culture. They celebrate technical excellence while highlighting creativity, individuality, and cultural heritage.
This guidebook provides the judging panel with clear, fair, and culturally rooted criteria across all categories.