International Silent Book Contest 2027 – Gianni De Conno Award
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Deadline: January 15, 2027

Tags：Illustration , International illustration competition , Silent Book , Visual Storytelling , Wordless Picture Book

International Silent Book Contest 2027 – Gianni De Conno Award

Cash Prize / Graphic Design / January / Open to All / Publication / Trophy / Certificate26 views

Organizer

Carthusia Edizioni (Italian publisher)

Location

International (open globally)

Deadline

January 15, 2027

Competition Category

Wordless picture book. Theme, genre, and target reader age are all open. Entries must present a finished and stylistically coherent sequence of illustrations (not a storyboard or work in progress). Color or black and white, traditional or digital techniques are all acceptable, but the narrative must remain purely visual — apart from the title, an optional subtitle, and purely decorative lettering, no words may be used to explain the story.

Eligibility

Open to authors, illustrators, and artists of any nationality who are at least 18 years old by January 15, 2027. Submissions must be 1–3 original, complete, and unpublished worldwide wordless illustrated-book projects. AI-generated imagery, photography, pop-ups, comics, cartoons, coloring books, unfinished layouts, and projects simultaneously entered, selected, or awarded in other competitions are not permitted.

Entry Fee

€60 per project; each author may submit up to three projects. Registration fee is non-refundable.

Prizes/Awards
  • An International Jury will select 10–16 finalist projects for exhibition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2027 and the Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino
  • Main Winner: Publication by Carthusia Edizioni by June 2027 under a standard publishing contract, with €2,500 as an advance on royalties (publisher may decline if project is deemed unsuitable; jury may decide not to name a winner)
  • Junior Prize: Decided by selected primary-school classes between September and November 2027, winner announced by December 2027, publication planned for early 2028, also subject to Carthusia Edizioni's discretion

Core Introduction

The International Silent Book Contest, organized by Italian publisher Carthusia Edizioni, is the world's only international illustration competition devoted exclusively to new and unpublished wordless picture books. It is named in honor of the Italian illustration master Gianni De Conno.

The core philosophy is to tell complete stories through purely visual language, crossing boundaries of language and age. Participants must demonstrate narrative clarity, pacing, sequencing, and artistic consistency across a complete, publication-ready picture book project — not a storyboard or work in progress.
The contest holds significant influence in the international publishing world. Finalist works are exhibited at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and the Turin International Book Fair, and the winning work is published by Carthusia Edizioni, offering illustrators a valuable opportunity to enter the international publishing market.
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