International Poster and Short Film Competition on Digital Citizenship

Aim and scope of the competition

The challenges brought about the rapid proliferation of disruptive technologies like ChatGPT have further emphasised the importance of the critical issues addressed by Digital Citizenship Education (DCE). Topics such as disinformation, digital literacy, cyberbullying, digital etiquette, online hate, speech, tolerance, personal data usage, and digital security are among the fundamental challenges individuals face in today’s digital world. This situation underscores the urgent need to intensify efforts and investments in Digital Citizenship Education to effectively address these evolving threats.

This competition is organised within the framework of the “European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025”, an initiative led by the Council of Europe, designated by the Ministers of Education at the 26th session of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education in September 2023. The European Year 2025 aims to highlight the value of digital citizenship education in shaping the digital future, helping build inclusive and democratic societies. Through the development of core competences including key skills, values, attitudes and knowledge, citizens can learn, connect, engage and thrive together in the digitally enriched world.

In this context, artists, designers and videographers are invited to select any of the goals of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 and domains of the Council of Europe’s concept of digital citizenship education and create posters or short films. These works aim to bring diverse perspectives to digital citizenship topics and raise awareness in society. Following the competition, exhibitions may be organised to further amplify the impact of the competition.

Jury members

Agim Sulaj

Illustrator

Albania – Italy
Agim Sulaj
Illustrator
Albania – Italy

Agim Sulaj is an internationally renowned Albanian artist known for his surreal, satirical, and hyperrealistic illustrations that explore environmental and social issues. Living in Italy, his works have been widely exhibited across Europe, including Paris and London.
Instagram – Facebook
Behnam Raeesian

Poster designer and Academic

Iran
Behnam Raeesian
Poster designer and Academic
Iran

Behnam Raeesian is a leading Iranian poster designer, curator, and educator. His concept-driven posters have appeared in over 170 exhibitions in 50 countries. A frequent jury member and workshop leader, he is a major voice in global visual communication.
Instagram – Facebook
Burcu Ay

Conceptual Illustrator

Turkey
Burcu Ay
Conceptual Illustrator
Turkey

Burcu Ay is an illustrator and designer focused on children’s book illustration and typography. Her emotionally charged works explore metaphor and exaggeration, often inspired by children and animals. She continues her academic and artistic work in Turkey.
Instagram – Facebook
Dario Paniagua

Visual thinker

Argentina – Italy
Dario Paniagua
Visual thinker
Argentina – Italy

Dario Paniagua is a visual thinker and designer who empowers others to explore their creative potential through visual language. Originally from Argentina, now based in Italy, he integrates design and coaching to inspire individuals and teams worldwide.
Instagram – Facebook
Gökhan Kuzucanlı

Short Film Producer and Academic

Turkey
Gökhan Kuzucanlı
Short Film Producer and Academic
Turkey

Gökhan Kuzucanlı is a filmmaker and academic with a doctorate in cinema. He has served as a jury member in several international film festivals and produced multiple short films. He currently teaches cinema at Dumlupınar University in Turkey.
Instagram
Goyo Rodríguez

Illustrator and graphic designer

Spain
Goyo Rodríguez
Illustrator and graphic designer
Spain

Goyo Rodríguez is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer who has worked on more than 150 textbooks. His symbolic and metaphor-rich illustrations are part of Spain’s top traveling design exhibition “From Spain with Design.”
Instagram – Facebook
Lyuba Tomova

Poster artist

Bulgaria
Lyuba Tomova
Poster artist
Bulgaria

Lyuba Tomova is an award-winning Bulgarian poster artist and co-founder of Poster House Studio. She has exhibited globally and received numerous international awards. Her expressive visual style reflects strong social commentary and design mastery.
Instagram – Facebook
Maciej Zdanowicz

Visual Artist

Poland
Maciej Zdanowicz
Visual Artist
Poland

Maciej Zdanowicz is a visual artist, curator, and educator. He is Vice Dean at the Faculty of Art, Jan Kochanowski University. Actively engaged in international art projects, he promotes solidarity and creative dialogue through socially engaged design.
Instagram – Facebook
Pawel Kuczynski

Visual metaphor designer

Poland
Pawel Kuczynski
Visual metaphor designer
Poland

Pawel Kuczynski is a celebrated Polish illustrator known for his powerful satirical works. A graduate of the Poznan Academy of Fine Arts, he has won over 180 international awards and continues to influence political and social commentary through art.
Instagram – Facebook

Key dates

Competition opens 1 July 2025

Deadline for submission 14 September 2025 (23:59 CEST)

Results announced 22 October 2025

Exhibition dates May 2026

For more information:

Notification of cancellation of the short film category of the competition

We regret to announce that on 20 October 2025, according to the Terms and Conditions (p.6), the Secretariat decided to cancel the short film competition since the number of film entries received was below the minimum threshold required. We thank all the participants who submitted their film entries: your interest and efforts have been very much appreciated.

Poster category

Here are the winners:

Finalists

The finalists of the poster competition will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

For more information:

Europeans can picture a better digital world – European Year of Digital Citizenship Education

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Education Department

Council of Europe

 

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