Organizer Information
The BDFIL Prize is organized by the Festival de bande dessinée de Lausanne (BDFIL) in collaboration with the Water Department of the City of Lausanne and Musée Romain de Lausanne-Vidy. Now in its 2026 edition, the prize supports emerging comic artists and provides international visibility through exhibitions, mentorship, and publication opportunities. A professional jury of comic artists, publishers, journalists, and curators evaluates entries based on originality, adherence to the theme, and artistic quality. BDFIL has become a leading platform for discovering the next generation of comic creators in Switzerland and internationally.
Title & Description
BDFIL Prize 2026 – Comics Competition “Running (of) Water”
The 2026 BDFIL Prize invites emerging comic artists to submit original, unpublished works exploring the theme “Running (of) Water”. Participants are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively through a single, self-contained comic story. Selected winners will receive cash prizes and have their works featured in a group exhibition at the Musée Romain de Lausanne-Vidy, as well as at the BDFIL festival opening in September 2026. The first-prize winner will additionally illustrate the flyer for the 2027 competition, further amplifying their visibility in the comics community. The competition aims to foster artistic growth, reward originality, and provide professional opportunities for new comic talent worldwide.
Categories
Eligibility
- Open internationally to artists aged 15 and above.
- Must be unpublished: work cannot have appeared as a book, in newspapers/magazines, or on professional platforms.
- Only individual submissions; collective projects are not accepted.
- Previous winners (except special mentions) are ineligible.
- Single project per participant.
Program Benefits & Awards
- 1st Prize: CHF 2,000 + design of the 2027 competition flyer.
- 2nd Prize: CHF 1,500
- 3rd Prize: CHF 1,000
- Public Award: CHF 500, voted by exhibition visitors.
- Exhibition of winners and finalists at Musée Romain de Lausanne-Vidy (Sep 18 – Oct 25, 2026).
- Invitation to the prize-giving ceremony and festival opening.
- Travel support: up to CHF 300 for non-Western Europe participants; all other winners receive coverage of local travel, accommodation, and meals.
- Exposure via BDFIL website and official Instagram account.
Application Fee
- CHF 12–25 for return shipping (optional, based on location).
- Switzerland: CHF 12
- Western Europe: CHF 15
- Outside Western Europe: CHF 25
- Payment is required only if participants want the original work returned.
Application Requirements
- Personal details: name, date of birth, address, phone, email.
- Submission of a single, original comic story (A3 vertical format).
- Works may be with or without text, in English or French.
- Include information on working/colouring technique.
- Optional: proof of payment if requesting project return.
How to Apply?
By post:
Send your entry to:
BDFIL, Comics Competition BDFIL 2026
Place de la Cathédrale 12, 1005 Lausanne – Switzerland
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: 2026/06/15
- Winners Notification: 2026/06/22
- Exhibition & Prize Ceremony: 2026/09/18
- Exhibition Duration: 2026/09/18 – 2026/10/25
- Public Award Announcement: 2026/10/25 – 2026/11/01
Location
Musée Romain de Lausanne-Vidy, Lausanne, Switzerland
Additional Details
- Theme interpretation is free, works may be conceptual or ongoing.
- Previous exhibition or award does not disqualify entries if unpublished.
- All winning projects remain the property of BDFIL for festival promotion; authors may still use boards for personal projects post-exhibition.
- Original works are returned only if postage fees are paid; BDFIL is not liable for shipping losses.