66th International Cartoon Contest – Golden Hat 2027
Country: Belgium
Organizer: Municipality of Knokke-Heist / Culture House
Contest: 66th International Cartoon Contest “Golden Hat”
Theme: Free
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Entry: Free
The Golden Hat International Cartoon Contest, held in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, is now accepting entries for its 2027 edition. The contest will reach its 66th edition in 2027 and is organized as part of the Cartoon Festival Knokke-Heist. The competition is open internationally and has no mandatory theme.
Who Can Enter?
The contest is open to anyone aged 18 or older, regardless of nationality or country of residence.
There is no entry fee.
Theme
There is no mandatory theme. Participants are free to create cartoons on any subject.
The submitted work may be a humorous drawing, caricature, parody of a person or event, or a visual representation of a humorous situation.
Works may be in color or black and white and must not contain text. Both traditionally created and digitally created works are accepted. Animated images are not accepted.
Number of Entries and Technical Requirements
- Each participant may submit a maximum of 5 cartoons.
- Artwork must be between 21 × 30 cm and 30 × 42 cm.
- Digital works must have a minimum resolution of 2480 × 3500 pixels.
- Accepted file formats include JPG, JPEG, EPS, TIF, PSD, and PDF.
- For physical submissions, the participant’s name, surname, and address must be written on the back of the artwork.
- Shipping costs for physical entries are the responsibility of the participant.
- The online entry form must also be completed in full for the submission to be valid.
Originality and Rights
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their submitted works are original and do not infringe the rights of third parties.
Submitted works may be used for promotional purposes related to the International Cartoon Festival and Knokke-Heist, including catalogs, books, posters, press materials, and other media.
Submitted artworks become the property of the organizing institution. Participants may request the return of their works at their own expense. Works will be kept for a maximum of two years.
Jury and Selection
A professional jury will select the works to be exhibited and will choose 10 nominees.
The selected works will be checked for plagiarism before the final evaluation.
The winners will be announced at the opening of the festival in Knokke-Heist. Selected works will be presented as part of the exhibition.
Awards
Golden Hat: €5,000
Silver Hat: €2,000
Bronze Hat: €1,000
Audience Award: €500
The winners of the Golden Hat, Silver Hat, and Bronze Hat awards will also receive flight and one-night hotel accommodation to attend the festival opening.
Important Dates
Opening date: September 1, 2026
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Announcement of winners: Festival opening
Official Application
For the official application form and complete contest rules:
Golden Hat 2027 – Official Application Page
Entry is free.