The BDFIL Caran d’Ache Prize 2025 is a comics competition designed specifically for emerging comic artists from around the globe. Organized annually by BDFIL, the renowned international comics festival in Lausanne, Switzerland, the competition offers aspiring creators a unique opportunity to showcase their talent and gain recognition within the international comics community. Participants are challenged to create an original and compelling narrative within a single-panel illustration, exploring the intriguing theme "Working Blues," which encourages reflection on contemporary professional life, its complexities, struggles, and humorous or poignant moments.
Submissions for the BDFIL Caran d’Ache Prize must adhere strictly to specified guidelines, emphasizing originality, artistic creativity, and storytelling skills. Each entry must be presented in vertical A3 format (29.7 x 42 cm) and may include text or rely solely on visual storytelling techniques, allowing artists the freedom to express their individual style and narrative perspective. The competition seeks to identify fresh voices capable of blending visual artistry with thoughtful commentary, providing a powerful platform for artists who have not previously published their work in professional formats such as albums, widely circulated newspapers, magazines, or reviewed digital platforms.
Winning the BDFIL Caran d’Ache Prize represents an extraordinary stepping stone for new comic artists, offering substantial monetary awards alongside opportunities for international visibility. Winners will have their creations exhibited during the acclaimed BDFIL Festival, attended by industry professionals, publishers, and comic enthusiasts, significantly enhancing their potential career prospects. The competition not only celebrates artistic excellence but also fosters cultural exchange and networking, making it an essential event for aspiring cartoonists committed to developing their skills, engaging with a broader artistic community, and positioning themselves prominently in the competitive world of graphic storytelling.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open worldwide to anyone aged 15 or older, whose work has never been published in the form of an album, regularly in a large-circulation newspaper or magazine, or on an expert-reviewed online platform.
Prize
The BDFIL Caran d’Ache Prize 2025 offers three main prizes—CHF 2,000 for the first prize, CHF 1,500 for the second prize, and CHF 1,000 for the third prize—with winners personally notified by June 27, 2025, and publicly announced at the exhibition opening on September 27, 2025; prizewinners residing in Western Europe receive fully covered travel, accommodation, and meals to attend the ceremony, while winners from outside Western Europe have travel expenses reimbursed up to CHF 300 upon presenting receipts.