As a flagship initiative of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), the 2025 BIBF International Illustration Awards have once again attracted enthusiastic participation from illustrators around the globe. This year, submissions were received from 52 countries and regions, including China, France, Italy, Tanzania, Finland, Ukraine, Iran, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Colombia, Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Switzerland, Tunisia, Russia, the United States, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Algeria, Uruguay, and Estonia.
A total of 17,427 entries were submitted for the Professional Category, encompassing a diverse range of themes and styles. The submissions demonstrated not only the richness of contemporary illustration but also the imagination and expressive diversity that define the medium today.
Following a rigorous review process by an international jury panel, 272 sets of works from 27 countries and regions have successfully advanced to the shortlist.
The final award winners will be selected from the shortlist and include:
- BOB (Best of Best) Grand Prize (1 recipient)
- Gold Awards (6 recipients – one for each of the six professional subcategories, split between Published and Unpublished works)
- Jury Recommendation Awards (6 recipients)
- All other shortlisted entries will receive the Shortlist Honour Award
The final results will be announced during the 2025 BIBF Illustration Exhibition, and all award recipients are warmly invited to attend the “Illustration Night” & BIBF Awards Ceremony on 21 June.
In light of the scale, quality, and thematic richness of this year’s entries, the Organising Committee has decided to moderately expand the total number of shortlisted entries. This decision aligns with the competition's aim of fostering a more inclusive and diverse platform that welcomes bold expression and creative potential.
By offering greater visibility to a wider spectrum of creators, we hope to continue inspiring innovation and contributing to a vibrant, dynamic creative ecosystem.