Major Announcement｜Global Call for Submissions for the 2026 Golden Monkey King Award Officially Launched

As spring sets the tone, all things flourish. On March 23, 2026, the Golden Monkey King Award, a flagship initiative of the China International Cartoon & Animation Festival and hosted by China Media Group, officially launched its global call for original animation and comic submissions. The award is one of China’s most authoritative competitions for recognizing outstanding original animation and comic works, widely regarded as the “highest honor in Chinese animation.”

The 22nd China International Cartoon & Animation Festival is scheduled to take place from June 17 to 21 this year (subject to final approval), with preparations currently underway.

Submission Period

March 23, 2026 – April 26, 2026

Award Categories

This year’s Golden Monkey King Award comprises three main categories: Comprehensive Awards, Potential Awards, and Red-Themed Animation Awards.

Comprehensive Awards: Animated Feature Film (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Animated TV Series (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Animated Short Film (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Comic (Gold, Silver, Bronze)

Potential Awards: Best Animated Short Film, Promising Animated Short Film, Best Comic, Promising Comic

Red-Themed Animation Awards: Special Award, Excellence Award

Submission Requirements

(I) Comprehensive Awards

Creation Period: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Eligible Works: Original animation or comic works completed during the specified period that have not previously participated in the competition

Animated Feature Film: Domestic or international animated feature films that have obtained a Film Release Permit

Animated TV Series: Domestic animated TV series that have obtained a Domestic TV Animation Distribution Permit or an Online Drama Distribution Permit, as well as imported or Sino-foreign co-produced animated series authorized for broadcast in China

Animated Short Film: Animated short films produced by domestic or international animation companies, studios, independent creators, or university faculty

Comic: Published comic books or completed online comic series

(II) Potential Awards

Creation Period: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Eligible Works: Original animated short films and comics created and completed during the specified period by domestic or international students while enrolled in school, and not previously entered in the competition

(III) Red-Themed Animation Awards

Creation Period: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Eligible Works: Original domestic animation and comic works completed during the specified period, themed around revolutionary and patriotic narratives, and not previously entered in the competition

Animated Feature Film, Animated TV Series, Animated Short Film, Comic (specific requirements refer to Comprehensive Awards and Potential Awards)

Submission Materials

Participants should register via the official Golden Monkey King Award website (http://jhj.cicaf.com/, available in Chinese and English) and submit the following materials as required (Red-Themed Animation Awards follow the requirements of Comprehensive Awards and Potential Awards):

Comprehensive Awards

Animated Feature Film

Full film (MP4 format; dialogue must include Chinese and English subtitles)

30-second trailer (MP4 format)

Copy of the Film Release Permit

1 director’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Animated TV Series

At least 2 full episodes (MP4 format; dialogue must include Chinese and English subtitles)

30-second trailer (MP4 format)

Domestic TV Animation Distribution Permit or Online Drama Distribution Permit, along with platform screenshots or other relevant certification

1 director’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Animated Short Film

Complete work with a coherent story (MP4 format)

30-second trailer (MP4 format)

1 director’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Comic

Full digital version (PDF format, watermarks acceptable)

For published works: screenshots showing ISBN and publication date; for online series: screenshot confirming completion on a legitimate platform

1 author’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Potential Awards

Animated Short Film

Complete work with a coherent story (MP4 format)

30-second trailer (MP4 format)

1 director’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Comic

Full digital version (PDF format, watermarks acceptable)

Script of the submitted work

1 author’s photo or self-portrait, 3 screenshots of the work, 1–2 posters (≥60cm × 80cm, JPG format)

Rights Statement (stamped and signed)

Terms and Conditions

Works must be wholesome and positive, align with the core values of socialism, and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Participants must hold full copyright or proper authorization for the submitted work and submit a signed Rights Statement.

Plagiarism or infringement of any third-party rights is strictly prohibited.

Works submitted by students must be submitted collectively through their educational institution; individual student submissions will not be accepted.

Commercial advertisements will not be accepted.

Submission of a work constitutes authorization for the organizers to use it (including trailers, posters, screenshots, etc.) globally and permanently for promotional purposes related to the competition and festival.

Participants must ensure the accuracy of their contact information. Any changes must be reported in writing to the organizing committee within three days.

Benefits for Nominees and Winners

The jury will invite nominees to attend the 22nd China International Cartoon & Animation Festival in Hangzhou, offering:

Opportunities for on-site promotion and exposure

Participation in cross-industry collaboration and matchmaking events

Two guest passes per nominated work, along with two nights of accommodation and local hospitality for two individuals (excluding nominees based in Hangzhou)

One complimentary copy of the Golden Monkey King Award Nominees Collection

Award Ceremony and Prize Collection

The award ceremony will be held during the 22nd China International Cartoon & Animation Festival.

Winners unable to attend in person may authorize a representative to collect the award.

Prize money will be disbursed within three weeks after the event, based on the payment confirmation form provided by the winner following nomination.

Lost certificates or trophies will not be reissued.

Contact Information

Contact: Ms. Fan
Phone: 18989474515
Email: monkeyking@cicaf.com

Appendix: Selected Previous Winners (For Reference)

(The following are selected publicly announced winners from recent editions. Please refer to official announcements for complete lists.)

Comprehensive Awards

Animated Feature Film Gold Award: Chang An (2024), New Gods: Yang Jian (2023)

Animated TV Series Gold Award: Yao—Chinese Folktales (2024), The Tale of Chinese Zodiac (2023)

Animated Short Film Gold Award: Elegy of the Elephants (2024), On the Road North (2023)

Comic Gold Award: The Liu Cixin Science Fiction Comics Series (2024), The Lost Jimmy (2023)

Potential Awards

Best Animated Short Film: Under the Eaves (2024), Kite on the Ground (2023)

Best Comic: One Person’s Battle Against the Pandemic (2024), Mountain Wind (2023)

Red-Themed Animation Awards

Special Award: Hello, Yan’an (2024), Pioneers of the Long March (2023)

The 2026 creative journey has officially begun. We extend a warm invitation to animation and comic creators worldwide: bring your finest works to compete and celebrate on this annual stage of inspiration. Let your talent shine, stand alongside your peers, and capture the attention of the industry and the world.