The World’s Cartooning Elite Heads to Oeiras: World Press Cartoon 2026 Open for Entries!
The World Press Cartoon (WPC), widely regarded as the most prestigious event in the world of press cartooning, has officially opened its doors for the 2026 edition. Hosted in the beautiful city of Oeiras, Portugal, this grand salon invites professional cartoonists from across the globe to showcase the best of their published works. Often called the “Oscars of Cartooning,” the WPC continues to honor the power of satire, artistic excellence, and freedom of expression.
We have compiled all the essential details from the official regulations and the necessary application documents for the readers of feridundemir.org.
Categories and Scope
The WPC Oeiras 2026 accepts entries in three distinct categories, each highlighting a different facet of the craft:
- Editorial Cartoon: Works focusing on specific news, current affairs, and political events.
- Caricature: Strictly humorous portraits of public figures or individuals of media relevance.
- Gag Cartoon: Humorous works that deal with universal themes and are not directly tied to current news events.
Submission Requirements
To maintain its status as a “Press Salon,” the WPC requires all entries to have been professionally published:
- Publication Window: Works must have been published between January 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.
- Eligible Media: Newspapers, magazines of regular publication, or online publications of recognized journalistic nature.
- Entry Limit: Each author can submit up to 6 works in total (maximum 2 works per category).
Technical Standards and The AI Boundary
The organization maintains strict rules to ensure the authenticity and quality of the art:
- Format: Works must not exceed the European A3 size (420 x 297 mm).
- Originals & Prints: Only originals are accepted for traditional techniques. For digital or mixed media, high-resolution prints signed by the author are required.
- AI Restriction: Works carried out using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be accepted.
Prizes and Recognition
A total of 10 prizes will be awarded by an international jury. The monetary rewards are substantial, underscoring the prestige of the event:
- Grand Prix: € 10,000 (Chosen from the 1st prize winners of the three categories).
- Category Prizes (Editorial, Caricature, Gag):
- 1st Prize: € 3,000
- 2nd Prize: € 2,000
- 3rd Prize: € 1,000
- Winners receive trophies and diplomas, while Honorable Mentions are distinguished with medals.
Important Downloads and Links
Prospective participants can access the official forms and full regulation details via the links below:
Packaging and Deadline
Entries must be sent in flat packaging protected by rigid cardboard. The package must be clearly marked: “SEM VALOR COMERCIAL / NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.”
- Deadline for Receipt: June 20, 2026.
- Note: P.O. Boxes are not accepted as postal addresses; a full physical address is required for the return of works and delivery of catalogs.
The exhibition and awards ceremony will take place in Autumn 2026 in Oeiras, Portugal. We wish all our fellow cartoonists the best of luck in this world-class competition!
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