About BIBF | BIBF International Illustration Awards

BIBF International Illustration Awards

BIBF International Illustration Awards is one of the thematic brands under the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF). The competition is open to professional illustrators and children who love illustration worldwide. International renowned illustration experts and domestic and foreign publishing institutions will be invited to form a professional judging team. The competition is divided into Professional and Teenager according to the age of the entrants, and the awards are subdivided according to the competition category. The excellent works will be exhibited at the BIBF International Illustrators Exhibition, and the touring exhibitions at home and abroad potentially. Winning illustrators will be invited to participate in the BIBF Illustration Night and the competition award ceremony and the BIBF International Illustration Forum held during BIBF. In addition to the exhibition activities, there will also be a variety of derivative activities such as exchanges between domestic and overseas illustrators and overseas study tours.

The 2025 BIBF International Illustration Awards attracted broad participation from 52 countries and regions. The Professional Competition, organized around six categories (Children’s Publishing, Advertising, Covers, Editorial, Product & Packaging, and Science & Technology), received 17,427 submissions; the Teenager Competition received 8,710 submissions. A jury of 13 professionals selected 272 winning entries from 27 countries in the Professional Competition and 379 winning entries in the Teenager Competition, all of which were exhibited on site at the BIBF Illustrators Exhibition. All winning works were also included in the BIBF International Illustration Awards Yearbook, and some were showcased in the “2025 BIBF Illustrators Exhibition · Netherlands Tour.” With distribution via BIBF’s own media channels reaching 200,000+ followers and 500+ media partners, the Awards achieved 500,000+ total media impressions, further amplifying the international impact of outstanding illustration within publishing and cultural sectors.

BIBF Illustrators Exhibition

The 32nd Beijing International Book Fair (hereinafter referred to as BIBF) will be held at the Beijing National Convention Center from June 17 to 21, 2026. During this period, the award-winning works of the 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards will be exhibited, with the illustration elements integrated into the book fair display, providing a better showcase for outstanding illustrators worldwide. The event will attract over 1,700 exhibitors from more than 80 countries and regions, along with an on-site audience of 300,000.

2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards

The 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards is now open for entries, welcoming professional illustrators and young creators worldwide. The Awards are structured by age into Professional and Teenager tracks, and will convene a jury of international experts in illustration.

The Professional track comprises six categories: Children’s Publishing, Covers, Editorial Illustration, Advertising, Product & Packaging, and Science & Technology. The Teenager track includes Picture Book and Specific Theme categories, with age groups of 4–8, 9–12, and 13–18.

The Awards will confer professional honors for illustrators globally. Winning and shortlisted works will be showcased during the 2026 BIBF Illustrators Exhibition, and BIBF will recommend outstanding works to publishing and cultural institutions at home and abroad, with opportunities for overseas touring and exchange programs. Awarded illustrators will be invited to the “2026 BIBF International Illustration Forum” and the “Illustration Night & 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards Ceremony” held during the Beijing International Book Fair in June 2026.

The Professional Competition of the 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards covers six categories—Children’s Publishing, Advertising, Covers, Editorial, Product & Packaging, and Science & Technology—showcasing the diverse expressions and innovative possibilities of illustration across fields. By gathering works that reflect multiple cultural perspectives and inventive styles, the Awards help participants broaden their horizons, increase their international visibility, and build deep connections with top industry resources.

Eligibility: Open worldwide to illustrators, publishers, and studios aged 18 and above. Entries may be submitted by individuals or on behalf of organizations.

Submission Requirements: Submitted works must have been created after 2023 (both published and unpublished works are accepted).

Children's Publishing

Illustrations created for children's picture books, storybooks, novels, educational books, and other children's publications.

Example:

Work: "The Roots of Joaquin" Author: Flor Rodriguez Actis (Argentina)

Cover Design

Illustrations created for the covers of books, magazines, periodicals, albums, and other publications.

Example:

Work: "Like The New Yorker" Author: Mattia Riami (Italy）

Editorial

Illustrations designed for news reports, columns, literary features, and periodical content.

Example:

Work: "第二个世界" Author: 杨思宇

Advertising

Illustrations created for advertising campaigns, including print ads, digital media, social media promotions, and animated advertisements.

Example:

Work: "梦游园林" Author: 陈菲菲

Product and Packaging

Illustrations created for commercial purposes, including products, brands, logos, and packaging.

Example:

Work: "小熊奥力的餐具" Author: 冯琛

Technology

Illustrations related to the fields of science, medicine, or technology.

Example:

Work: "La taille-doucière" Author: Gaby Bazin

The Teenager Competition of the 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards retains three age groups (4–8 / 9–12 / 13–18), with two categories: Picture Book and Specific Theme. Leveraging BIBF’s professional resources and international network, the track provides a rigorous and authoritative platform for young creators to participate and showcase their work. Winning and shortlisted works will be presented on site at the BIBF Illustrators Exhibition from 17–21 June 2026, accompanied by an awards ceremony. Outstanding young illustrators will receive priority recommendations for overseas touring, exchange, and study programs, further immersing them in international illustration ecosystems and cultural exchange.

Eligibility: Open worldwide to young people aged 18 and under who love illustration. Entries may be submitted by individuals or on behalf of organizations.

Submission Requirements: Works submitted to both categories must have been created after 2023 (both published and unpublished works are accepted).

Age Groups: 4–8, 9–12, 13–18

Picture Book

Themes are not restricted. Children are encouraged to unleash their imagination and creativity. Submissions should reflect contemporary characteristics, embody a child's perspective, and demonstrate artistic quality and innovation.

Submission Requirements:

Submit image files of a complete picture book or handmade book, including the cover, inner pages, back cover, text, and illustrations.

Online submissions must include at least five pages, excluding the cover and back cover. The text content of the picture book can be in Chinese or English. No restrictions on materials used.

Note: Submitted works must have been created after 2022 (published or unpublished).

Work: "梦回敦煌" Author: 马齐遥

Specific Theme — “Wonderful Neighbors: A Place for Everyone”

The special theme of the 2026 BIBF International Illustration Awards is “Wonderful Neighbors: A Place for Everyone.” The BIBF International Illustration Awards and the Finnish Illustration Association jointly initiate this theme. The world is vast, yet we all live on the same “map of life”—the courtyard outside our homes, the street we walk to school, our campus, and the city we call home, as well as the shared sky and changing seasons above us. Here, “neighbors” are not only the people next door, but also the security guard who greets you each morning, classmates you laugh and play with, and family members who look after you. They can also be the animals in the yard, the trees and flowers along the roadside, and even the wind, rain, and snow. Through your illustration, portray the “place of coexistence” you imagine.

When we notice that we could equally respect all living creatures around us—and to care for the trees, birds, and rivers nearby—a true place of coexistence takes shape in everyday life. We are looking forward that each participant could create art works of sharing the view of a harmony and sustainable world.

Artwork Requirements:

No restrictions on materials. Entries may be two-dimensional works created in Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, watercolor (including gouache), children’s painting, animation/cartoon, sketching, or other mixed media.
The submitted work must be in A3 size (297 mm × 420 mm). Both portrait and landscape orientations are accepted.

Award-winning works will have the opportunity to:

Be exhibited at the BIBF Illustrators Exhibition.
Receive the certificate/trophy at the awards ceremony held during BIBF. (Winners of the Specific Theme category will receive a co-branded certificate jointly issued by BIBF International Illustration Awards × Kuvittajat ry (Finnish Illustrators’ Association).)
Participate in the “BIBF Illustrators Exhibition · Finland Tour” and the United Nations “#GenerationRestoration” Study Tour Program:

BIBF Illustrators Exhibition · Finland Tour

2026, the Awards will collaborate with Kuvittajat ry (Finnish Illustrators’ Association) to present the BIBF Illustrators Exhibition · Finland Tour. Tour dates: July 2026 Venue: Annantalo Arts Centre, Helsinki

United Nations “#GenerationRestoration”

In addition to the touring exhibition, the Awards will launch an extension program: the United Nations #GenerationRestoration initiative, joining the global community of ecosystem restoration practitioners on an art-inspired journey. Award winners will receive priority access to registration. Participants may have the opportunity to:

Study and complete relevant certification courses by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and obtain an FAO learning certificate.
Receive a certificate of volunteer service hours based on actual participation records.