2026 CGconnect 3D Awards
Is there a fee to submit to the competition?
No, there is no fee. It is completely free.
I do not have permissions to show my work until ______. When will my work be shown publicly?
Our current schedule is to announce nominees on May 19, 2026. If your work is nominated we will be making the work public around this timeframe.
Do I need to attend the awards ceremony if I win or am nominated?
While attending the awards ceremony is not mandatory for nominees or winners, it is highly encouraged. Being present at the ceremony provides an excellent opportunity for networking with industry peers, celebrating your achievements, and gaining recognition for your work. It also allows you to participate in media coverage and engage with the architectural visualization community in a meaningful way.
Furthermore, the 2026 3D Awards will take place during the World Visualization Festival, making your presence even more valuable for both the Awards and your career. However, if you are unable to attend, rest assured that your nomination or win will still be recognized and celebrated. We do ask that nominees provide a pre-recorded video to be played on our stage screen in the event of a win, allowing you to give a thank-you speech and connect with the audience remotely.
Does my entry have to be professionally commissioned work to be submitted?
Your entry does not have to be professionally commissioned work unless you are submitting it to categories that specifically require it, such as the 'Studio of the Year' or 'Commissioned' categories. Other categories, like 'Viz Pro of the Year,' allow for personal or non-commercial projects, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Please review the specific category rules to ensure your submission aligns with the requirements.
I created my entry with (insert Software name here) can I still submit?
Yes, you can. There are no restrictions on which software you can use to create your submission(s).
I'm having problems uploading, what other options do I have to submit my work?
While most people do not have problems, slow or unreliable internet connections can sometimes cause the upload process to fail. If this happens to you try to send your upload again from a different connection or browser. If you are still experiencing problems, please contact us at cgconnect@chaos.com.
What is the schedule for the competition?
The competition will follow the following schedule: (Dates Subject to Change)
- Call for Submissions: March 30 – April 30 (23:59 UTC/GMT)
- Judging Round: May 1 – 10
- Official Nominees Announced: May 19
- Live Awards Ceremony: June 19, during the World Visualization Festival (Warsaw, Poland)
- Winners Announced Online: June 19
What are the differences between the various categories?
Please see the detailed descriptions in our competition rules.
My project has been published on another site or in another competition, can I still enter?
Yes, we do not have any requirements for exclusivity. The only requirements are that the project was created or made public in 2025 or 2026 and has not been submitted to previous editions of the 3D Awards.
When will I receive prizes that were outlined in the prizes section?
Sponsors will contact selected winners, nominees, and entrants by email in August/September 2026. Participants are solely responsible for ensuring their contact information is accurate and current. The Sponsors and Awards are not liable for undelivered communications resulting from incorrect contact data.
I am a student and I created my submissions as part of my class project, can I submit?
Students are absolutely welcome to submit their work (provided it meets the specific eligibility criteria for each category).
For class projects or uncommissioned work, you should enter the Student Category, where proof of status (such as a university letter or student ID) will be required. This ensures that only those currently enrolled in accredited institutions, or those who graduated within six months of the competition, are eligible to compete.
Conversely, any projects that were commissioned or paid for must be entered into the appropriate professional categories. We encourage all students to showcase their best work and participate also in the general categories if they wish to compete this year!
For class projects or uncommissioned work, you should enter the Student Category, where proof of status (such as a university letter or student ID) will be required. This ensures that only those currently enrolled in accredited institutions, or those who graduated within six months of the competition, are eligible to compete.
Conversely, any projects that were commissioned or paid for must be entered into the appropriate professional categories. We encourage all students to showcase their best work and participate also in the general categories if they wish to compete this year!
Got questions?
If you have any questions about the 3D Awards, please email them to cgconnect@chaos.com.