Golden Hat 2027 Opens for Cartoonists Worldwide
Golden Hat 2027 Opens for Cartoonists Worldwide
The international cartoon competition in Knokke-Heist is accepting submissions for its 2027 edition, with a free theme, a €5,000 Golden Hat and a November 30 deadline.
The Golden Hat International Cartoon Contest has opened submissions for its 2027 edition in Knokke-Heist, Belgium. Cartoonists from around the world may enter up to five works, with no compulsory theme and no participation fee.
The competition is part of the long-running Cartoon Festival Knokke-Heist, which reaches its 66th edition in 2027. Entries opened on September 1, and the deadline is November 30, 2026 — earlier than in previous editions.
No set theme for 2027
Participants are free to choose the subject of their cartoons. Entries may be in black and white or color, but they must not contain text. Both traditional and digitally created works are accepted.
The organizers define a cartoon broadly: it may be a humorous drawing, a caricature of a public figure, a parody of a real situation or a short comic-strip sequence. Moving images are not accepted.
Digital and postal submissions
Digital works must have a minimum resolution of 2480 × 3500 pixels, roughly equivalent to A4 at 300 dpi. JPG, JPEG, EPS, TIF, PSD and PDF files are accepted.
Artists who prefer to submit physical works can also enter by post after completing the online registration form. Postal entries must measure at least 21 × 30 cm and no more than 30 × 42 cm. They should be sent flat rather than folded, and framed works or works under glass will not be accepted.
One important eligibility rule remains: submitted cartoons must not previously have been exhibited in Belgium or received an award in another country.
The entrant’s name, first name and address must be written on the back of each physical work. Participation is considered valid only after the online entry form has been completed.
The prizes
The Golden, Silver and Bronze Hat awards also include a flight and one night of hotel accommodation in Knokke-Heist for the festival opening.
Selection and exhibition
A professional jury will select works for the exhibition and choose ten nominees. The nominated entries will be checked for plagiarism before the final selection is confirmed.
Selected cartoons will be presented at Cultuurcentrum Scharpoord in Knokke-Heist. The winners will be announced at the opening of the festival.
From 69 countries in 2026
The previous edition attracted 545 cartoonists from 69 countries, who submitted a total of 2,160 works.
Mexican cartoonist Camila de la Fuente received the 2026 Golden Hat. Colombia’s Raúl Zuleta won the Silver Hat, while Oğuz Demir of Türkiye received the Bronze Hat.
Organizer
City of Knokke-Heist / Culture House
Maxim Willemspad 1
8300 Knokke-Heist
Belgium
Email: cartoonfestival@knokke-heist.be
