Winners of panda creativity contest honored in Sichuan

The winners of the 2026 Panda Homeland Culture and Creativity Contest were awarded on the evening of May 15 in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

A total of 63 works won best or outstanding awards across eight categories: creative sculpture design, innovative packaging design, trendsetting product design, brand visual design, spatial experience design, digital (AIGC) creative work, sci-fi creative work, and the most popular work.

Among the award-winning works, 20 were submitted by overseas creators from 16 countries spanning four continents, organizers said.

Launched in June 2025, the contest received 16,138 submissions from over 40 countries and regions, with overseas submissions doubling from the first edition.

Participants included winners of top international design awards, renowned artists, and members from 12 international art academies, including the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence in Italy and Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano.

Laura Gallon, co-chair of the contest's judging committee, said she was delighted to serve as a judge in Chengdu, a city that perfectly blends tradition with modernity.

"I am particularly impressed by those works that integrate traditional craftsmanship with futuristic themes," Gallon, who is also founder and president of Italy's Arte Laguna Prize, said. "They build a new bridge connecting history and the future."

Fan Jimin, winner of the best innovative packaging design award, said his design, which drew inspiration from a Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 24) figurine of a storyteller, is actually a liquor bottle.

"The vibrant and creative atmosphere in Chengdu nurtures outstanding works and I'm grateful for the contest that provides a platform for creators," he said.

A themed exhibition showcasing nearly 5,000 selected entries also kicked off on Friday at Chengdu's Eastern Suburb Memory Park and will run through June 14.