The LensCulture Critics’ Choice photography competition is now open for entries for 2026. LensCulture Critics’ Choice Awards put the spotlight on the year’s most talented photographers — maximizing visibility and opportunities for those ready to step onto the global stage and enter international markets. The top ten photographers will be exhibited during Photo London 2027, the premiere international photo fair that brings together hundreds of galleries, publishers and collectors, as well as an ambitious program of exhibitions, conversations, artist book signings and curated fair events.

Read more about LensCulture Critics’ Choice 2026 Competition on Contest Watchers.

The 2026 Australian Good Design Awards are now open for entry. This year, the Awards Design that Leads is celebrated. Whether your work listens deeply, innovates boldly, cares responsibly or transforms systems, leadership in design takes many forms. What unites award-winning projects is not scale or sector – it is clarity of purpose and meaningful impact. The Good Design Winner’s Package provides winners with the opportunity not only to celebrate and promote their success, but to gain recognition and exposure to a global audience.

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MEDS (Meetings of Design Students) Belgium is calling for tutors for the MEDS Workshop 2026, titled “Reweaving the Brussels Canal District”. MEDS Workshop is an international, collaborative educational event fostering learning and professional development in architecture, design, and related disciplines. The Tutor Call is a competition open to architects, designers, and creatives interested in leading hands-on, design-build workshops. Selected tutors will guide participants and co-design together throughout the development and realization of their proposals, contributing to a collective narrative for the site.

Read more about MEDS Workshop Belgium 2026 – Tutor Call on Contest Watchers.

Submissions are now open for the 2026 SEGD Achievement Awards, an annual celebration of those who exemplify excellence, innovation, and dedication to the field of experience design. These prestigious awards are more than a tradition — they honor the trailblazers, mentors, and innovators whose work leaves a lasting impact on SEGD and beyond. Whether it’s a thought leader pioneering new ideas, a collaborator uplifting the industry, or a designer pushing the boundaries of creativity, your nomination can shine a spotlight on their contributions. This year, SEGD is presenting Achievement Awards in six different categories.

Read more about SEGD Achievement Awards 2026 on Contest Watchers.

The 34th Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival is calling for new short films (produced in 2025 or to be produced in 2026) up to 60 minutes in length. Eligible for submission are animations, documentaries, fiction films, experimental films and music videos, in film (16mm and 35mm) or digital (DCP or video files). The Festival is very competitive and each year awards are announced in thirteen (13) categories, five (5) of which are international.

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Creative Quarterly (CQ) magazine has opened its 84th international juried competition, inviting participation by professionals, as well as students. CQ seeks for the best art, advertising, design, illustration and photography done in the past six months. Winners’ work will be featured in Creative Quarterly’s online gallery and will become a part of their year-end published Annual. All winners will be featured in our 2026 Creative Quarterly Annual, a softbound book which will also list all runners-up.

Read more about Creative Quarterly (CQ) 84th International Juried Competition on Contest Watchers.

The MakeDox Creative Documentary Film Festival is calling for submissions to the 17th edition. Submission to the Festival is open to creative documentary films of all running times, topics, style and production technologies completed and/or publicly screened after 1 January 2024. MakeDox aims to promote creative documentary film production in North Macedonia and to support documentary storytelling in general. It focuses on creating a stimulating environment for the exchange of experience and knowledge of documentary creation and promotion of films with cinematographic quality, offering the creative point of view of an author, both in terms of content as well as in form.

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The YICCA International Art Contest 2026 is a prestigious international platform that beckons artists from every corner of the globe to showcase their creative prowess. This global art competition transcends borders and welcomes both seasoned professionals and emerging talents, irrespective of their geographical origins. It provides a vibrant stage for an eclectic array of contemporary artistic expressions, encompassing diverse mediums such as drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, graphics, mixed media, video installations, and captivating performances. This artistic variety serves a dual purpose: to elevate the profile of participating artists and to facilitate their entry into the dynamic and ever-evolving international market of contemporary art. By participating in YICCA, artists gain access to an influential global network that can significantly impact their careers. This exposure and recognition can be a game-changer for artists, providing them with a place to share their artistic vision and connect with a discerning audience.

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The International Excellence Awards (IEA) returns for its second edition. Whether you’re reimagining cities, crafting furniture, designing packaging, or exploring ideas that challenge the familiar, the International Excellence Awards exists to recognize and elevate meaningful work. The IEA Trophy is a symbol of boundless ambition and visionary achievement. Its wings represent the soaring flight of inspiration, celebrating the creative spirit that pushes beyond conventional limits.

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The next round of the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design has been announced. Prepare your best work for 2026. You are invited to take part in this international competition with creative works and integrated brand concepts. As a winner, you benefit from exclusive use of the Red Dot Label, which communicates news of your design strength in a high-profile manner. Furthermore, your project is presented to a wide audience via our digital channels, in the yearbook and in our museums.

Read more about Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2026 on Contest Watchers.