Culture Is Not a Backdrop
The theme invites children to start from classmates, pets, toys, nature, or imaginary companions, and turn the warmth of friendship into lantern-like light.
Event Dossier / ABOUT THE EVENT
My Friend
Lights Childhood
Draw the companions of childhood in the language of lantern light
The 4th Zigong Lantern Global Children Creative Collection invites children aged 3-12 worldwide to portray real or imagined friends in a lantern-inspired world, making companionship, joy, and comfort visible through painting.
Collection Theme
My Friend
3-12Age Range
Individual / TeamRegistration
Original PaintingWork Type
About the Event
From one lantern, to one painting, to one global showcase.
Zigong lanterns are a national-level intangible cultural heritage combining modeling, frame-making, pasting, painting, lighting, and other crafts. The event turns these traditional techniques into creative themes children can understand and participate in, making young artists’ works a bridge between heritage culture and global audiences.
A Submission Is Only the Beginning
Works move through review, selection, voting, expert review, and award showcase, with the platform recording each stage clearly.
Event Schedule
The event moves from launch to final announcement in clear stages.
01
Launch Ceremony
The 4th edition officially launches.
May 29
02
Submission Period
Individuals and teams submit participant information and artworks as required.
June 1 - September 30
03
Initial Review
The platform reviews eligibility, theme relevance, and completeness of submitted materials.
October 8 - October 23
04
Online Selection
Shortlisted works enter online display and voting.
October 26 - November 6
05
Expert Review
The expert panel evaluates shortlisted works.
November 9 - November 13
06
Result Counting
Voting, review, and award information are summarized.
November 16 - November 30
07
Result Announcement
The winner list and follow-up showcase arrangements are announced.
Opening ceremony of the 33rd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival
Collection Details
Theme, submission requirements, and copyright notes are gathered here so families and institutions can read them clearly.
1. Collection Theme
My Friend
A friend is the warmest light in a child’s eyes. It may be a classmate who shares snacks, a pet waiting at home, a toy by the window at night, a tree or cloud in nature, or even an imagined alien companion.
The theme “My Friend” encourages children to expand the meaning of friendship and use the creative language of lanterns to portray those who accompany their growth and bring them joy and comfort.
Works may connect friends, lanterns, dinosaurs, lantern festivals, city memories, and children’s own experiences, bringing warm companionship into new visual storytelling.
2. Collection Requirements
- ParticipantsChildren aged 3-12 worldwide.
- Creative RequirementsWorks should have a clear theme, be healthy and positive, emotionally engaging, and aligned with the theme. Creative method and painting form are not limited, including watercolor, oil painting, sketch, printmaking, and more. In addition to basic information, participants should submit a creative statement, and creation-process video materials are encouraged.
- SpecificationsPaintings should be submitted as electronic files by photo or scan, with resolution no lower than 300 dpi in JPG format. The work should be fully shown with all four corners visible.
Copyright and Other Notes
- Submitted works must be original works created during this season and must not be copies or previously published works.
- AI-generated works are prohibited. Once discovered, the organizer has the right to cancel participation and award eligibility.
- Works must not infringe privacy or other third-party rights. Legal disputes arising from submitted works are borne by the participant and guardian. If plagiarism, borrowing, or other infringement occurs, the author bears all consequences and the organizer may cancel participation or award eligibility.
- Any infringement during participation is the participant’s responsibility and is unrelated to the organizer. Works violating national customs, laws, or regulations may be rejected by one-vote veto.
- Submitted works must be independently created by students, and ownership of submitted works belongs to the organizer.
- Authors retain attribution rights. For selected creative works, the organizer enjoys rights of re-creation, use, exhibition, distribution, digital online communication, compilation, and related uses.
- The organizer reserves the final interpretation right of this event.
4. How to Participate
PC Website
- Visit the official event website at https://zgcd.hulingweb.cn/, enter the registration portal, complete participant information, and upload the work.
- Schools, institutions, and other groups may use the group registration channel so instructors can submit multiple works together.
Mobile / WeChat
- Follow the “自贡文旅发展集团” WeChat official account, tap “少儿彩灯” in the menu, or reply “少儿彩灯” to enter the event website.
- You may also enter the “自贡文旅” mini program and use the “少儿彩灯” theme channel to participate.
Douyin
- Search “#自贡少儿彩灯” on Douyin, enter the topic, tap “立即参与”, upload the artwork, and include the creative concept in the post copy.
Posts must follow and mention @自贡文旅发展集团（中华彩灯大世界） and include #自贡少儿彩灯. After publishing, the video must not be deleted before 24:00 on November 30, 2026. Each participant may submit only one work, and each Douyin account may enter only once. Official notices for selection or awards are subject to the official account.
Awards
Domestic and overseas groups are selected separately, and outstanding works may be included in a lantern festival feature showcase.
Domestic GroupTax-inclusive bonus (RMB/person)
| Award | Quota | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Best Work Award | 10 | ¥3000 |
| Excellent Painting Award | 15 | ¥2000 |
| Outstanding Creativity Award | 30 | ¥1000 |
Overseas GroupTax-inclusive bonus (RMB/person)
| Award | Quota | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Best Work Award | 2 | ¥3000 |
| Excellent Painting Award | 6 | ¥2000 |
| Outstanding Creativity Award | 10 | ¥1000 |
Additional Awards
The event also includes awards such as “Little Light and Shadow Dream Maker”, Excellent Instructor Award, and Excellent Organization Award. Submitted works may also be included in the feature exhibition plan of the 33rd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival.
Little Light and Shadow Dream Maker
50-100 · Certificate / Prize
Excellent Instructor Award
Several · Certificate / Prize
Excellent Organization Award
Several · Certificate / Prize
Ready to submit a work?
After registration, you can view review progress in the dashboard. Works entering selection and voting will be publicly displayed on the site.
