41st AYDIN DOĞAN INTERNATIONAL CARTOON COMPETITION 2026
International Cartoon Competition 2026
The 41st Aydın Doğan International Cartoon Competition, organized annually in Türkiye by the Aydın Doğan Foundation, is open to professional and amateur cartoonists from all over the world.
Theme: Open
The competition has no specific theme. Participants are free to choose the subject and concept of their cartoons.
All submitted cartoons must be signed by the artist.
Special Awards
“Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures” Special Award
This special award focuses on:
Equal rights and equal opportunities for all.
The cartoon judged to best reflect the theme “Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures” will receive the special award together with a USD 3,000 cash prize.
The Aydın Doğan Foundation emphasizes the importance of supporting young women in developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to realize their full potential and participate equally and actively in all areas of society.
“A Matter of Degrees” Special Award
This special award focuses on climate change, environmental awareness, and the importance of a sustainable future.
The cartoon judged to best address the theme of climate change will receive the “A Matter of Degrees” Special Award together with a USD 3,000 cash prize.
Main Prizes
🏆 Winner:
USD 6,000 + Aydın Doğan Foundation Winner Award
🥈 First Runner-Up:
USD 2,500 + Aydın Doğan Foundation First Runner-Up Award
🥉 Second Runner-Up:
USD 1,000 + Aydın Doğan Foundation Second Runner-Up Award
The Foundation will cover the travel and accommodation expenses required for the first three award-winning competitors to attend the award ceremony.
Important: AI-Generated Artwork Is Not Allowed
All submitted cartoons must be original works created entirely by the participant, from the initial concept through the final drawing.
The use of any artificial intelligence tool, application, or algorithm is prohibited, including:
- AI-generated images
- AI-assisted drawing completion
- AI-based stylization
- AI-generated backgrounds
- AI-assisted coloring
- Other forms of AI assistance during the creation process
By submitting an entry, participants declare and undertake that their work complies with this requirement.
If it is later determined that AI was used, the artwork will be disqualified. If an award has already been granted, the award will be revoked and any prize money received must be returned.
Copyright and Artwork Rights
By entering the competition, participants confirm that they are the original creators of their submitted cartoons and that the works do not infringe the rights of third parties.
For submitted works, participants grant the Aydın Doğan Foundation a non-exclusive license without restrictions on territory, duration, or number of uses, including the right to authorize third parties, for purposes such as exhibiting, archiving, reproducing, publishing, and communicating the works to the public.
If a submitted cartoon wins a ranking or award, ownership and the relevant economic rights of the awarded work are transferred to the Aydın Doğan Foundation under the competition rules.
Other Important Rules
- Cartoons submitted in previous editions of the competition will not be considered again.
- Submitted cartoons must be in high resolution and suitable for printing.
- Jury members may not participate in the competition during the year in which they serve as jury members.
- The Aydın Doğan Foundation has the authority to decide whether submitted cartoons will be included in its Digital Archive.
Deadline
📅 Submission Deadline:
October 16, 2026 — 6:00 PM (UTC+3)
🌍 Open to professional and amateur cartoonists worldwide
💰 Free Entry
🎨 Open Theme
🚫 AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is not accepted
Official Competition Information and Application
Aydın Doğan International Cartoon Competition — Official Page
Participants should review the official competition rules before submitting their work.