Migawka ’26 – Figurine Painting Competition in Łódź
The “Migawka” Figurine Painting Competition is organized by Raspberry.Art, ŁDZ Figures Crew, and the EC1 Center for Interactive Comics and Narrative
Judging of Submitted Works
The judging system is open, meaning each work is judged individually. This system allows for the selection of multiple works for medal positions, resulting in a higher number of gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in each category. It is also possible that the judges will not award a specific color of medal at all.
The number of medals is limited and specified for each category.
From all the gold medals awarded at the standard (“Sznytka”) and master (“Galanty”) levels, one work will be selected to receive the Sznytka Grand Prix and the Galanty Grand Prix.
Six selected judges will evaluate all works submitted to the competition. The judges will be divided into three pairs, and each pair will be assigned their respective categories. The judges’ evaluation is final and irrefutable. Judges are not obligated to justify their choices or provide explanations for their verdict.
The judges will consider three aspects when judging: techniques used, artistic merit, and story. Based on these criteria, each work will be scored as objectively as possible.
Online registration will open on March 1st. Each participant will be able to submit up to two entries in each category, at any level. Online registration will close at the end of April 15th (Wednesday, 11:59 PM). Registration on the day of the competition will also be possible, but only in exceptional circumstances (after prior arrangement with the organizer). Therefore, if you plan to attend, please remember the registration deadline.
It is also possible to submit works if the participant is unable or unwilling to attend the event in person, and the works will be delivered by a third party. However, we encourage everyone to attend the competition in person, as this is always a great opportunity to meet other hobbyists and see the exhibition in person.
The aim of the competition is to activate the community of figurine painters and to promote personal development in the field of painting. Events like this add an additional purpose to our hobby and strengthen bonds between people with similar interests.
As in the previous edition, this time we will also be reviewing and adjusting the level of the submitted works. A specially selected three-person team, called the Promote Team, will be tasked with establishing a single threshold for each level in each category after the submission deadline. Works from both Żulik and Sznytka can be moved to a higher level, never to a lower one. Such featured and submitted works will continue to participate in the competition and will be judged along with the rest of the works, but at a higher level, with the possibility of winning another distinction. The moved work will receive a sticker and a special annotation; we call this a Level Up. The Level Up award is higher in the award hierarchy than the gold medal at a lower level.
Each category is divided into three levels, in which the participant can participate:
Participants decide at their own which level they wish to participate. Mixing levels is not permitted when submitting an entry (e.g., by selecting the Sznytka level in one category, other entries submitted in the same or different category must be submitted at the same previously selected level, including the Sznytka level).If entries have different levels, the organizer reserves the right to change the level of the entry at its discretion or disqualify participant.
Participants who received Gold or Level Up at the Żulik/Sznytka level in previous editions of the Migawka competition are required to submit at the higher level (from Żulik to Sznytka / from Sznytka to Galanty). In case of doubt, the organizer will review the entry. In the event of irregularities, the participant may be moved to a higher level or disqualified. Let’s be fair.
If a participant is under 15 years of age (inclusive), they must complete the registration form for the Junior category. This is a separate, dedicated registration form. Those over 15 years of age are treated as Seniors and register their work on the standard form.
Despite the increased space available at this year’s edition, we are maintaining the entry limit to reduce the workload for the judges. The maximum number of entries per category is two.
Submitted models are not required to be displayed on dedicated or specially prepared pedestals. However, in the case of registration warband, we ask that models have to have a piece of base (of your choice) underneath them to ensure that individual models are not affected when moving the work.
To ensure that those involved in supporting Migawka are not excluded from the fun, “Support Team” and co-organizers may participate in the competition on an equal basis with all participants. Only judges and the main organizer are not permitted to participate.
Each participant wishing to participate in the competition must pay an entry fee. This fee must be paid once per participant, allowing them to submit an unlimited number of entries (subject to the entry limit). Only participants competing in the Junior category are exempt from purchasing a starting package.
This year’s entry fee is PLN 40 (10 Euro).
Payments will be accepted on-site on the day of the event (cash).
All funds raised will be used to organize the “Migawka” event and for the statutory purposes of the “ŁDZ Figures Crew” association.
During this year’s Migawka, one work will be selected to receive a special award for the best thematic work. The theme of the Migawka changes each year.
This year’s award will be for:
“Best work in the Steampunk theme”
No. If you want to participate in this year’s edition, you must enter a higher class. We know the competition is much tougher, but we consider this a measure of your above-average skills. You are a Master, compete against other Masters.
We will provide you with information about which panel will be responsible for judging a given category before the competition begins, and such information will also be available at the event venue.
Within the circle of people judging these types of competitions, there’s an unwritten rule against judging the work of friends, acquaintances, or students. Such a judge will inform the judge during the judging process that a given work is somehow related to the judge, and the second judge in the pair will then take over the evaluation. If the work is still related to the judging panel, the head judge has the right to evaluate the disputed work themselves. Judges are obligated to remain objective during the judging process.
Unfortunately, no. This year, we are also limiting the number of works a participant can submit to the competition. This is a new venue for our Migawka, and we need to assess how we can accommodate the exhibition and how the judging process will proceed with the increased number of judges. Therefore, we recommend selecting works to submit the most refined projects from your collection to the exhibition within the limit. Nevertheless, we will investigate the possibility of lifting the limit for future editions of the competition.
Yes, it’s possible. Works awarded a Level Up in a given category are moved up a class, which means they participate in further judging and have a chance to win a prize in the higher class. If a participant also submitted their work in other categories and didn’t advance to the higher class, they will be considered for judging in their originally declared starting class. Therefore, it’s possible to receive a prize in two different classes. This is the only way to receive prizes in this way.
Every year, we consider who to invite to collaborate. The Migawkowa team discusses which individuals would be suitable for each edition of our competition. Our goal is to select individuals with potential to serve as judges, but also to include competent and impartial artists on the judging panel. We strive to ensure that each edition has its own unique atmosphere, both in terms of the competition’s theme and the people who collaborate with us on each edition, including the judges. Who knows, maybe next year you’ll be invited to join the judging panel!
No, we do not judge Juniors’ work. We believe that the work of our youngest participants should not be judged. We do not want to demotivate them or provoke negative emotions in them. Instead, we want to reward all Juniors for their courage, dedication, and the patience that figure painting undoubtedly demonstrates. However, it is possible that a Junior participant would like to try their hand at competing against older participants. To do so, they should complete the Senior entry form, not the Junior entry form. Regarding the entry fee, such a participant will still be exempt. However, please let us know by email or imessenger so we can mark this special exception.
In an ideal world, we’d say yes, absolutely. We know that feedback greatly develops painting skills. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee this opportunity, purely for logistical reasons and to respect our judges’ time. However, we encourage you to personally ask individual judges during the event about the possibility of providing such feedback. We can’t guarantee anything, but knowing our environment, no one refuses this form of assistance.
The organizers reserve the right to change the rules no later than two weeks before the competition date.
The organizers are not responsible for any models left at the competition.
In case of any doubts, please contact us
