64rd edition 5 - 8 April 2027 | Bologna - Italy
64rd edition 5 - 8 April 2027 | Bologna - Italy
The Bologna Portfolio Award aims to acknowledge the illustrator’s portfolio as a key tool to furthering his/her profession, recognizing its major role as a means of accessing new job opportunities and as a communication tool between the illustrator and his/her clients (publishers, art directors, literary agents, etc.).
The purpose of the initiative is to highlight those characteristics of the portfolio, such as clarity of presentation and consistency of language, that make it a professional facilitator between the world of creativity and content production.
The award is organised by Bologna Children's Book Fair and curated by Mimaster Illustrazione
The first selection phase took place on April 16 as part of the “Portfolio Marathon 2026” initiative, held within the “The Illustrators Survival Corner” program during the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. On this occasion, participation was reserved exclusively for illustrators shortlisted for the Illustrators Exhibition 2026, as a recognition of their talent.
FINALISTS BOLOGNA PORTFOLIO AWARD - BCBF26
A sincere thank you to the reviewers involved in the qualification phase, who evaluated the portfolios during the Portfolio Marathon 2026:
The portfolios of the 49 finalists will be evaluated by a jury composed of three publishing industry professionals: Christine Morault director éditions MeMo (France), Eric Telfort illustrator and fine artist, Dean of Fine Arts Rhode Island School of Design (USA), Marco Ghidelli publisher Raum Italic (ITALY).
For the illustrator with the best portfolio, Bologna Children’s Book Fair offers a trip to Shanghai to participate in the next China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (November 2026).
The result of the final selection will be announced by June 17, 2026.
