The International Contest for New Comic Authors 2025 is an annual creative competition organized as part of the Treviso Comic Book Festival (TCBF 2025), a renowned event in the international comic and illustration scene. Dedicated to discovering and promoting emerging talent, the contest invites beginner comic creators from around the world to showcase their skills through an original short comic story. This year’s theme, “I couldn’t resist,” offers participants a broad creative canvas, encouraging them to explore personal narratives, imaginative storytelling, and unique visual interpretations. Whether working individually or as part of a creative team, participants have the opportunity to gain international exposure in a professional festival setting.
Entrants are required to submit a complete and unpublished comic story between two and four pages, provided in a single PDF file. The competition allows complete artistic freedom in style, technique, and coloring—whether black-and-white or full color—as long as the work is entirely original and unpublished in any form. Submissions must include dialogue or narration in either Italian or English, ensuring accessibility to the diverse festival audience and jury panel. All entries are submitted online via an official registration form, accompanied by a signed privacy policy and a non-expiring file-sharing link, ensuring a smooth and professional submission process.
With a panel of experienced judges drawn from the professional comic industry, the TCBF 2025 International Contest for New Comic Authors offers more than just cash prizes; it is a gateway to recognition, networking, and potential career opportunities in the comic arts. Winners will not only receive monetary awards but will also have their work promoted on the Treviso Comic Book Festival’s official social media platforms, reaching a global audience of publishers, artists, and comic enthusiasts. By participating, beginner authors take an important step toward building their professional reputation, while contributing to the dynamic and ever-growing culture of contemporary comics.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open to legal-age (18+ by September 1st, 2025) beginner comic authors—defined as those without professional contracts, ISBN-attached publications, or magazine/newspaper publications (though students, fanzine-collaborators, and past TCBF entrants are eligible)—and entries can be individual or collaborative.
Prize
Winners will be announced during the Carlo Boscarato Award ceremony on September 28th, 2025, and receive cash prizes of €500 for first prize, €300 for second prize, and €200 for third prize (groups decide among themselves how to split group awards), along with featuring and promotion on TCBF’s social media channels; special mentions may also be awarded and published alongside the winners.
