Festival:

66th International Cartoon Festival Knokke-Heist, Belgium. The festival will hold its 66th edition in 2027 and is described as the oldest Cartoon Festival in the world.

Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026. Submissions open on 1 September 2026.

Theme: Free Theme. Participants are free to choose the subject of their cartoons.

Type of Works: Cartoon, either a single image or a short comic strip. Animated works are not allowed.

Regulations: Participants must be at least 18 years old. Participation is free. Maximum 5 works per participant. Works may be black and white or color. Cartoons must not contain text. Digital drawings are accepted.

Digital Specifications: Minimum 2480 × 3500 pixels, equivalent to A4 at 300 dpi. Accepted formats: JPG, JPEG, EPS, TIF, PSD and PDF.

Important Conditions: Works must not previously have been exhibited in Belgium or won a prize in another country. For physical works, the artist’s name, first name and address must be written on the back. The online entry form must be completed in full. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the participant.

Copyright and Use of Works: By participating, artists grant the organizers the right to use submitted works for promotion of the International Cartoon Festival and Knokke-Heist, including books, catalogs, posters, press, calendars and other promotional materials.

Jury: A professional jury will select works for the exhibition and choose 10 nominees. The selected works will be checked for plagiarism. The winners will be announced on the opening date of the festival.

Prizes: Golden Hat €5,000; Silver Hat €2,000; Bronze Hat €1,000; Audience Award €500. The Golden, Silver and Bronze Hat winners also receive flight and one-night hotel accommodation in Knokke-Heist during the opening.

Cartoon Book: A cartoon book is planned in cooperation with Lannoo, subject to budgetary and technical conditions. Selected participants will receive one copy.

Registration: https://www.myknokke-heist.be/en/golden-hat

Organizer: City of Knokke-Heist / Culture House, Maxim Willemspad 1, 8300 Knokke-Heist, Belgium. Tel: +32 50 63 04 30. Email: cartoonfestival@knokke-heist.be.