18th LEA Festival: 3rd International Exhibition of Graphic Humor 2026 – Call for Entries

Theme: “Literature and Freedom” – A Global Stage for Cartoonists in Athens

The XVIII LEA Festival (Festival de Literatura Iberoamericana en Atenas) has officially opened its doors for the 3rd International Exhibition of Graphic Humor. This year’s exhibition, set to take place at the Cervantes Institute of Athens from June 9th to July 17th, 2026, presents a profound and timely theme: “Literature and Freedom.”

As the only major cultural event in Greece bridging Hellenic and Latin American literary worlds, the LEA Festival offers a prestigious platform for cartoonists to showcase how the power of the pen can defend the freedom of the word.

Participation & Technical Rules

The competition is open to all cartoonists worldwide over the age of 18. However, the organizers are very specific about the technical requirements:

• Originality is Key: Only original works created using traditional or digital drawing techniques will be accepted.
• No AI Policy: In an era of digital shifts, the LEA Festival strictly prohibits works generated wholly or partially using Artificial Intelligence, as well as photomontages or photographic manipulations.
• Submission Format: Each artist may submit one (1) digital artwork.
  • Size: A4 (21 x 29.5 cm).
  • Resolution: 314 dpi.
  • Format: JPEG or PDF (Max 3 MB).
  • Naming: The filename must include the author’s name and nationality.

Prestigious Awards

Winning this competition isn’t just about the prize; it’s about international mobility and recognition:

1. First Prize: An all-expenses-paid trip to Mexico for the 2026 Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), participating in the International Cartoon and Comic Strip Encounter (EICH).
2. Second Prize: €500 cash prize, donated by the Quevedo Institute of Humor Arts (University of Alcalá, Spain).

Deadlines and Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: March 27th, 2026.
• Exhibition Dates: June 9th – July 17th, 2026 (Athens, Greece).
• Email for Submission:

Don’t forget to include a brief CV (max 100 words) in .doc format with your email. Compressed files like ZIP or RAR will not be opened.

Whether you are a veteran of the craft or an emerging talent, the LEA Festival is an invitation to prove that graphic humor is one of the most vital forms of free expression.