50th Italian Championship of Lies – Graphics Contest 2026
Headline: Call for Entries: The 50th Italian Championship of Lies – Cartoon Contest 2026
The legendary Italian Championship of Lies (Campionato Italiano della Bugia) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026! Born in 1966 in the scenic mountains of Pistoia, this unique competition honors the age-old tradition of storytelling where reality and fiction blend into art.
The Italian Lie Academy has officially announced the theme for this year’s graphics section: “PINOCCHIO, THE KING OF LIARS, AND HIS FRIENDS”
If you are a cartoonist or illustrator who loves blending satire with folklore, this is your chance to shine in the heart of Italy.
Contest Rules & Deadlines
- Theme: Pinocchio and his circle of “honest” friends.
- Submission Limit: Each participant can submit up to 2 cartoons.
- Format: Each work must include a title or a brief explanation.
- Language: Italian, English, or purely visual (no text).
- Deadline: June 25, 2026.
- Participation: Completely free.
Prizes: The Golden Bugiardino
The winners will be awarded the “Bugiardino”—a symbol of the championship representing the village bell tower with a long Pinocchio nose.
- 1st Place: Gold Bugiardino
- 2nd Place: Silver Bugiardino
- 3rd Place: Bronze Bugiardino
The jury will be headed by the renowned Italian cartoonist Marco Fusi. Prizes will be delivered during the festival in Le Piastre on August 1-2, 2026.
How to Enter
You can send your entries via email to accademiabugia@gmail.com or by postal mail to the Accademia della Bugia in Pistoia, Italy. Don’t forget to include the official entry form found on their website.


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