Best Student Game Awards 2026 Trophy Contest
terms and condition of the competition

01

Organizer of the Competition

The organizer of the competition “Best Student Game Awards 2026 Trophy Contest” (hereinafter referred to as the “Competition”) is Fundacja Kultura Interaktywna, based in Warsaw, 01- 529, ul. Kaniowska 108, hereinafter referred to as the “Organizer”. Contact with the Organizer is possible via email: festival@kulturainteraktywna.pl

02

General Provisions

The Competition is organized as part of the Student Games Festival 2026 (SGF). The purpose of the Competition is to select a statuette design that will become the official award of the festival. The Competition is open and single-stage.

03

Duration of the Competition

The Competition begins on: April 13, 2026. The deadline for submitting entries is: June 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

04

Participants

The Competition is open to students from Poland and abroad. Participation requires having an active student status on the day of submission. Each participant may submit one project. Members of the Jury and persons directly involved in organizing the Competition are not eligible to participate.

05

Subject of the Competition

The subject of the Competition is to design the Best Student Game Awards 2026 statuette. The project should:

- be consistent with the visual identity of the festival and refer to its concept,

- be a 3D form that can be mounted on a shared base containing the name of the award and the SGF logo.

The Competition includes 4 categories of statuettes, which should be cohesive but differ in form, detail, or symbolism.

Best Student Game Awards categories:

ARTISTIC GREATNESS

It is given to a game with a distinctive, elegant and original visual style, not only in its static graphics, but as well in motion, be it animations, lighting, interface and overall perception of the game from the eye-of-the-beholder perspective.

TECHNICAL GREATNESS

It is is given to a game with an extraordinary use of technology, seen in a fluent work of the game, spectacular shaders, lighting, camera work, but also with a one-of-a-kind use of the technology, whether it is about online features or creating own engine or outstanding use of the existing engines.

THE MEANINGFUL GAME

It is given to a game that cleverly communicates its message through gameplay and aims to speak about social issues, state of humankind, provokes to ask important questions and basically has the ability to improve us as humans and makes it just by playing it.

BEST STUDENT GAME AWARD

Is given to a game that plays best, has clever design and that addictive loop that just drags you in and makes you want to play more, having also great visual style, and properly coded so it just doesn’t break. Best Student Game Award is given to a game that stands out as a work of creativity and is an engaging game at the same time.

06

Project Requirements

Acceptable production techniques include in particular:

  • 3D printing,

  • ceramics,

  • wood carving,

  • other technologies enabling production.

The project must:

  • be feasible to produce in multiple copies,

  • have a height of approximately 20 cm,

  • be an original work.

The submission must include:

  • visualization (3D render, sketch, or other form),

  • project description (materials and production method),

  • dimensions in cm,

  • project statement – max. 1 A4 page.

07

Submissions

Entries must be submitted via the form: https://tiny.pl/h9d5m_b17‍

Incomplete submissions or those not meeting formal requirements will not be considered.

08

Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Artistic value and aesthetics.
Overall visual impression, harmony of form, proportions, and attention to detail. The project should represent a high artistic level appropriate for a gaming industry award.

2. Originality and innovation.
The extent to which the project presents a fresh and unconventional approach. Bold formal solutions, unexpected materials, or creative interpretations are valued, while maintaining clarity and aesthetics.

3. Consistency with the festival’s visual identity.
How well the project aligns with the current visual identity and character of the festival. The statuette should feel like a natural part of the event.

4. Connection to gaming and award categories
How well the project communicates the idea of a student game award through form, symbolism, or visual narrative.

5. Production feasibility
Availability of materials, ability to reproduce the design (e.g. multiple copies annually), estimated cost, and durability.

6. Material selection and awareness
Appropriateness of chosen materials in relation to form, aesthetics, and function.

7. Quality and completeness of documentation
Clarity and professionalism of submitted materials: visualizations, technical drawings, concept description, and material specification.

8. Ergonomics and functionality
Ease of holding and presenting the statuette, stability, appropriate size and weight, and possibility of personalization (e.g. plaque with logo, year, category).

09

Jury

  1. Projects will be evaluated by a Jury appointed by the Organizer.

  2. The composition of the Jury may be published on the Competition website.

  3. The Jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

10

Prizes

  1. There is one main prize awarded for the best project.

  2. The winner of the Competition will receive a monetary prize of 500 EUR (in words: five hundred euros).

  3. The prize will be paid via bank transfer to the account indicated by the winner within 30 days from the announcement of the results.

  4. The prize amount is gross and subject to taxation in accordance with applicable law.

  5. To receive the prize, the winner must provide the necessary payment details and complete any required legal formalities.

  6. The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred to a third party.

  7. The Organizer reserves the right to grant additional honorary distinctions without monetary awards.

11

Content Restrictions

  1. Projects must not contain content that is:
    - illegal, vulgar, offensive, or against public decency,
    - pornographic or sexual in nature,
    - promoting hatred, violence, or discrimination,
    - violating personal rights of third parties,
    - infringing copyright or intellectual property rights,
    - containing prohibited symbols.

  2. Projects that do not meet these requirements will be rejected.

12

Copyright and Use of Works

1. The participant declares that the submitted project is their own work and does not infringe third-party rights.

2. Only projects that:

- have not participated in other competitions,
- have not been previously used as awards or trophies,
- are not used commercially, may be submitted.

3. The participant retains moral copyright.

4. In case of winning, the participant agrees to transfer economic copyright to the Organizer to the extent necessary for:

- production of the statuette,
- promotion,
- use in SGF materials.

5. The Organizer has the right to:

- publish submitted works,
- use them for promotional purposes,
- introduce technological modifications.

6. The author of the winning project has the right to present the project in their portfolio and social media.

7. The author undertakes not to:

- submit the project to other competitions,
- use it for other awards or trophies,
- make it commercially available to third parties.

8. The participant bears full responsibility for any infringement of third-party rights.

9. The participant consents to the free use of the work for promotional purposes of the Competition

13

Announcement of Results

  1. The results of the Competition will be announced no later than July 15, 2026.

  2. The winner will be informed by email prior to the official announcement.

14

Final Provisions

1. Participation in the Competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

2. Submission to the Competition is equivalent to declaring that:

- the participant has read the Terms and Conditions,
- accepts their provisions,
- the provided data is accurate.

3. The Organizer does not cover costs related to the preparation or submission of projects.

4. The Organizer is not responsible for:

- technical issues,
- pincorrect participant data,
- inability to contact a participant.

5. The Organizer reserves the right to:

- amend these Terms and Conditions,
- suspend or cancel the Competition.

15

Personal Data Protection (GDPR)

  1. The controller of personal data is the Organizer.

  2. Data is processed for the purpose of conducting the Competition, contacting participants, and promoting the event.

  3. Providing data is voluntary but necessary to participate.

  4. Participants have the right to access, correct, delete their data, and object to processing.

  5. Participants have the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office.

16

Entry into Force

These Terms and Conditions enter into force on the date of the Competition announcement.