🚀 2026 – Who Will Define the Next Generation of Pop Culture IP?

Do you have an original character but no stage to showcase it?
Do you have a brilliant concept but lack the resources to bring it to market?
Do you dream of seeing your designs transformed from sketches into real products on store shelves?

Your moment has arrived.

The inaugural 2026 International Original IP Designer Grand Awards is now open for entries. We are searching globally for 1,000 emerging designers to join us in shaping the future of original IP creativity.

🏆 More Than a Competition – A Gateway to the Industry

Organized by the The Culture, Sports, Tourism, Education and Technology Association and guided by the ShiPai Town Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism Office (Dongguan City, China), this landmark event takes place at the Tangwei Art Village in Shipai Dongguan City, China – the "China's Capital of Trendy Toys."

【Official Accreditation | Authority Backing for the 2026 International Original IP Designer Awards】

Strategic Location: The Core Heartland of the Global Trendy Toy Industry

The inaugural 2026 International Original IP Designer Grand Prix is officially landed in Shipai, Dongguan. This is not only the home of the 800-year-old Tangwei Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient village, but also the very heart of the global trendy toy industry — nearly one-quarter of the world's anime derivatives and approximately 85% of China's trendy toys are produced here. Shipai's trendy toy industrial cluster has been recognized as a national-level characteristic SME industrial cluster, bringing together 149 enterprises, with a total output value of 17.23 billion RMB in 2025.

Core Landmark: Full Traffic Amplification via the Manbo Center

The competition is strategically linked with Shipai's core industrial landmark — the China Trendy Toy Capital · Manbo Center, the main venue of the 16th China International Animation Expo, operating under a "5-day professional exhibition + 365-day year-round industrial operation" model. The center brings together global trendy toy factories, brands, and buyer resources, and features the nation's largest and most comprehensive trendy toy selection center (4,000㎡, showcasing approximately 10,000 trendy toy products). The 2026 Animation Expo will welcome domestic and international professional visitors and tourists. Participating entries will simultaneously benefit from the full traffic exposure of the Expo, receiving high-profile display opportunities comparable to top-tier art galleries, helping original IPs reach the global market.

Business Matching: Direct Access to Commercial Collaboration Channels with Brand Partners

This competition is a key cultivation event for the cultural and creative industry. All designers and teams that make it to the final round will be directly included in the preferred candidate shortlist for the "International IP & Brand Business Matching Session," securing exclusive opportunities for one-on-one洽谈 (negotiation) meetings with leading domestic and international rights holders and brand partners on-site. During the matching session, on-site signing ceremonies will be held, with mainstream media invited to provide full coverage throughout the event.

【Bonus Boost: Total Prize Pool of 100,000 RMB + Resource Package】

TOP 30 Finalist Awards: Each finalist will receive a product contract, granting direct access to commercial collaboration channels with brand partners. Additionally, each will receive a gift voucher valued at 3,000 RMB.

TOP 3 Excellence Awards: Each of the top 3 winners will receive an additional cash prize of 3,000 RMB.

Overall Grand Prize: Winning designers collectively stand to receive a total value of 100,000 RMB in cash prizes and gift/resource packages, including cash rewards, trendy toy merchandise, commercial networking opportunities, and eligibility for the international IP global export channel.

【Exclusive Benefits for Referrers】

Any referrer who successfully recommends a participant that is selected and advances to the next round will receive an official custom-designed limited-edition gift. Recommend the talented, share the glory, and join us in empowering the rise of original creativity!

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What we aim to create goes beyond a mere competition — we are building:

✅ International Exposure – Shortlisted works will be featured in permanent exhibitions, putting your creations in front of a global audience.

✅ Industry Networking – Top designers will have face-to-face opportunities with brands and investors to fast-track IP commercialization.

✅ Prestigious Jury – Our panel of industry-leading designers and IP strategists will add significant weight to your portfolio.

✅ End-to-End Incubation Support – From concept refinement to market launch, we support you every step of the way.

📌 Key Information

Item	Details
Eligibility	Open to all designers, teams, and individual creators worldwide (no age or nationality restrictions)
Entry Fee	Completely Free (no hidden charges)
Submission Requirements	Original IP design drawings + IP name + 200 word describe
Entry Deadline	July 15, 2026
Finals	August 8, 2026 (Tangwei Art Village, ShiPai, Dongguan China)

💡 Finalist Exclusive – Optional Training Camp

To help finalists refine their work and sharpen their presentation skills before the finals, the Organizer will host a Finalist Training Camp, featuring one-on-one portfolio reviews and commercialization mentorship from international jurors and top IP industry professionals.

This is a voluntary program available exclusively to finalists. Details, including content and fees, will be provided upon shortlist announcement. Participation does not affect judging results – your work stands entirely on its own merit.

📋 How to Enter (3 Steps)

Step 1｜Get ready your IP design drawing + IP name + within 200 words describe

✅ Design drawings (main view)
✅ If you have more than 2 design drawings, please combine them into a single PDF file.

The total file size must not exceed 5MB.
✅ A brief description of your work within 200 words

Step 2｜Before Registering, Please read the following

please review the competition rules, scoring criteria and authorization consent form before submitting your registration. click below to read more：

📥 Originality Declaration & Authorization Consent Form

📥 Competition Rules and Scoring Criteria

Step 3｜Fill out the Registration Form

① Fill in your contact details
② Upload your design drawings and provide a brief description （within 200 words）
③ Click "Submit" – you're done!

👇 Click to Submit Your Entry

📮 [Register Now | Upload your artwork]

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is entry really free?
A: Yes! From registration through to final judging, there are absolutely no fees. We believe every creator deserves the chance to shine without financial barriers.

Q2: Is the Training Camp mandatory? Will it affect my score if I don't attend?
A: The Training Camp is a voluntary program and has no bearing on competition results. Non-participants will not be disadvantaged in any way.

Q3: When will Training Camp details be announced?
A: Upon shortlist announcement – full details including curriculum, mentor lineup, and fees will be sent via exclusive email to all finalists.

Q4: Can I submit multiple entries?
A: Absolutely! Please complete a separate entry form and registration for each work

Q5:  I submitted the wrong files. Can I update them?

A: Yes. Please resubmit the registration form and include "File Update" in the notes section – we will download the latest version.

🔥 Originality Lives Here. IP Rules the Future.

We don't limit creativity – we build bridges for great design.
Apply now and show the world who you are.

📅 Entry Deadline: July 15, 2026
(All submissions must be received by this date – late entries will not be accepted.)

📄 Copyright & Licensing Notice

1.Owner Rights Retained: All copyrights and moral rights to the submitted work remain solely with the creator(s). The Organizer does not claim ownership of any submitted work.

2.Organizer Usage Rights: Entrants grant the Organizer (Culture, Sports, Tourism, Education and Technology Association Limited) a non-commercial license to reproduce, edit, publicly display, and publish entry materials for purposes directly related to the Awards, including but not limited to: promotion, exhibition, publication, press coverage, and broadcasting.

3.Originality Guarantee: Entrants warrant that their work is an original creation and does not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights. Entrants assume full legal liability should any infringement claims arise.

4.Event Documentation: The Organizer reserves the right to photograph and record the event for archival and promotional use.

5.Full Terms: Please refer to the Originality Declaration & Authorization Consent Form for complete terms. By submitting your entry, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to all terms and conditions outlined herein.

📞 Contact Us

Item	Details
Organizer	The Culture, Sports, Tourism, Education and Technology Association
Guiding Authority	ShiPai Town Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism Office (Dongguan)
Phone	(852) 2781 1888 / (86) 178 7516 3191
Email	info@cstet.org

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