ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival is calling for submissions for the 22nd edition of the festival. As one of the world’s most recognized independent film festivals in the world, ÉCU embraces innovation and creativity and allows directors in competition to showcase their films to audiences who love and appreciate independent cinema. The Festival is competitive and focuses on original and independent works that demonstrate quality, creativity and innovation across fourteen categories.

Read more about ÉCU 2027 – 22nd European Independent Film Festival on Contest Watchers.

The Art on Climate International Illustration Competition is open for entries for 2026. Since its inception in Spain in 2019, the Art on Climate competition has evolved from a regional project into a significant global movement. Over the past seven years, it has become a powerful platform for creators worldwide to express the urgency of environmental stewardship. This momentum reached new heights in 2025, where the campaign saw record-breaking engagement with over 3,500 artworks and videos submitted by more than 2,600 illustrators across 100 different locations. A total of 12,000 Euro will be awarded to the best works. Customised award certificates will also be endowed to Champion, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up and Merit winners.

Read more about Art on Climate 2026 – International Illustration Competition on Contest Watchers.

Anima 2027, the Brussels Animation Film Festival, has opened the call for entries to its selection programmes for the 46th edition of the festival. The Festival seeks to promote animated films from all over the world and encourage dialogue between professionals, filmmakers and the public. The winner of the Anima 2027 Grand Prix will automatically be included on the Academy Award® longlist in the Best Animated Short Film category. British short films selected in one of our competitions are also eligible for the BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation.

Read more about Anima 2027 – Brussels Animation Film Festival on Contest Watchers.

Verzasca Foto Festival is calling for submissions to the 2027 edition, the first biennial edition of the festival. The call is open for photographic projects developed over time through a direct relationship with peripheral, rural, and marginal places, regardless of the background of those who make them. It expands the festival’s field of research, bringing in emerging practices and diverse perspectives, and helps identify projects aligned with the themes, values, and territorial dimension that define Verzasca Foto Festival.

Read more about Verzasca Foto Festival 2027 on Contest Watchers.

The Architecture & Design Collection Awards (ADCA) returns for its 5th edition, inviting architects, designers, studios, artists, photographers, students, developers, and creative professionals worldwide to submit their work. Organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC), the ADCA provides an international platform for projects evaluated across a broad spectrum of creative and professional fields of design and architecture. Winners receive international recognition, an electronic certificate of achievement, personalised winner logos, promotional visuals, a dedicated winner’s landing page, social media exposure, media partner visibility, and the opportunity to order the official ADCA trophy.

Read more about Architecture & Design Collection Awards 2026 on Contest Watchers.

Registration is open for the iF Design Award 2027, one of the world’s most prestigious design awards. Organized from Germany since 1954, the iF label is a reliable sign of good design for consumers, brands and the design community. International design experts meet to select award-winning designs, basing their decision on strictly neutral evaluation standards.

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Sony World Photography Awards 2027 just launched! The 20th edition is now open for entries from all around the world. Have you been working on an exciting new project? Or perhaps you’re focusing on striking single shots instead? Are you a photography student wanting to take the next step in your career, or maybe an aspiring creator 19 years-old and under, eager to share your talent with the world? The Sony World Photography Awards are completely free to enter and open to photographers worldwide shooting on any device. Top prizes include $25,000, a solo exhibition, top Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the book, worldwide recognition through press and media coverage – plus more!

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Pastel Journal and Artists Network are pleased to present our 28th Annual Pastel 100 art competition. The Competition offers cash and publicity to its talented winners and is open to artists from any part of the world, older than 16. In addition to the multiple top cash prizes, all top prize winners and place winners will be featured in the Spring 2027 issue of the Pastel Journal magazine.

Read more about Pastel 100 – 28th Annual Painting Competition on Contest Watchers.

The Bucharest International Jazz Competition has opened registration for 2027 to all jazz instrumentalists, bands and vocalists, no older than 45. Bucharest International Jazz Competition is one of the most appreciated jazz events, by specialists and the public, the event being ranked among the first 3 European jazz competitions. The total amount of prizes for 2027 is 10,000 Euro, of which 1,500 Euro are reserved for the Grand Prize Winner.

Read more about 21st Bucharest International Jazz Competition 2027 on Contest Watchers.

The Nature Photography Contest is now open for entries for 2026. Enter your images of natural landscapes, wildlife, macrophotography and more, to compete with photographers from all over the world. This international photo awards are a chance for photographers of all levels to show off their work and share the wonders of the natural world. The winner of the best photograph of the year will receive €1,000, the winner of each category will receive €100 and the best photographer of the year will receive a trophy. In addition, for each participant, a tree will be planted in the country chosen by the winner.

Read more about The Nature Photography Contest 2026 on Contest Watchers.