65rd edition INTERNATIONAL CARTOON CONTEST GOLDEN HAT Belgium 2026

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The Golden Hat is an international cartoon competition associated with the Cartoon Festival Knokke-Heist, Belgium.  The festival will reach 65rd edition its in 2026, making it the oldest Cartoon Festival in the world.

Rules

PARTICIPATION

All persons aged at least 18 years can participate in this international competition. Anyone who participates in this competition agrees to the terms and conditions of the regulations and the decisions of the jury. Belgian legislation on withholding tax on prizes won by foreign participants applies.

Participation is free.

The start date for submission is set at 01 September 2025.

The deadline for submitting cartoons is 31 December 2025.

DEFINITION

A cartoon is a humorous drawing. This may be a caricature of a famous person, a parody of a real situation, or simply a picture of a funny situation. The cartoon may consist of one image or take the form of a short comic strip. No moving images allowed.

Theme

Participants are free to choose the theme of their entries.

ENTRIES

Regulations​

    Maximum 5 submissions per person, black and white or colour.

    The cartoons must not contain text.

    Drawings can also be made digitally.

    They must be packaged flat and not folded.

    Works under glass, framed or in other materials will not be accepted.

    They must not have been exhibited in Belgium or awarded in other countries.

Entries

    Digital entries: min. 2480 x 3500 pixels (A4 300dpi). Allowed file types: jpg jpeg eps tif psd pdf.

    Entries may only be sent by post after the form has been completed on the website and the form is enclosed with the entry. Dimensions min. 21 x 30 cm or max. 30 x 42 cm. The entrant’s name, first name and address must be written on the back of each cartoon.

    Your participation is only valid if we have received your fully completed entry form on our website.

    Entries are submitted at the expense of the entrants.

    The selected cartoons wil be tramed with a passe-partout for the exhibition.

ORIGINALITY OF WORKS

The sender remains responsible for the originality of his work. Discussions and possible claims concerning all forms of plagiarism are the responsibility of the contributor.

OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

By participating, entrants grant the organizing body the right to use their entries as advertising for the “International Cartoon Festival” and the seaside resort Knokke-Heist (e.g. as cartoon book, catalogue, advertising in the press and other media, separate promotional printed works such as posters, leaflets, etc., promotional gifts by the city council and/or cartoon festival organizers, calendar).

JURY

A professional jury will make a selection for the exhibition from the submissions received and will select 10 nominees.

This selection will be checked for plagiarism after which the jury can decide to make a selection.

The winners will be announced on the opening date of the festival.

OWNERSHIP BY ORGANIZING BODY

All submitted works shall become the property of the organizing body related to the cartoon festival.

You can ask for a return of the submitted items on your expence. Submitted works will be stored for maximum 2 years.

CARTOON BOoK

In collaboration with “Davidsfonds” Leuven, a cartoon book will be published, subject to budgetary and technical constraints. Selected participants will be entitled to one copy.

Prizes

    Golden Hat 5.000 € *

    Silver Hat 2.000 € *

    Bronze  Hat 1.000 € *

    Audience Award 500 €

* + flight and hotelaccommodation in Knokke-Heist during the opening (one night)

Production

City of Knokke-Heist / Culture House

Maxim Willemspad 1 , 8300 Knokke-Heist

Phone  +32 50 63 04 30

cartoonfestival@knokke-heist.be

Golden Hat Registration Form