CHARACTERS ON THE ROAD
Official Selection
Adnin Hasnan (UK)
Aleksandra Sawik (PL)
Aleksandra Ventova (BG)
Aleksi Ivanov (BG)
Alexa Lincu (RO)
Alisa Sidorenko (RS)
Alynor Diaz (AR)
Ana Garcia (ES)
Anamarija Kvas (CR)
Andrea Moise (RO)
Andrei Koshaleu (BY)
Anna Nikolova (BG)
Anna Shuttlewood (BG)
Antoanela Brenko (CR)
Antonis Theodorakis (GR)
Armin Abolfathi (IR)
Bailey (UK)
Catherine Suvorova (KZ)
Cecile Gonneau (BE)
Conform Cox (NL)
Daliborka Simić (CR)
Derinsu Alicikoğlu (TR)
Dila Baş (TR)
Dimitar Grancharov (BG)
Elena Georgieva (BG)
Elena Marinska (NL)
Emir Roda Alir (TR)
Eszter Kondasz (HU)
Eva Markova (BG)
Evelin Arweck (DE)
Evgeny Dorokhin (RU)
Fiona Mok (CH)
Goran Radošević (CR)
Hana Nekrep (SL)
Islam El Shimy (EG)
Islam El Shimy (EG)
Iulia Ignat (RO)
Ivana Castellano (CR)
Jack McHugh (IR)
Jelena Siljanovic (RS)
Joana Uzunova (BG)
Joana Uzunova (BG)
Kadir Doğa Sağlık (TR)
Katarina Kratochvílová (CZ)
Katarzyna Kamińska (PL)
Katya Klimova (RS)
Klochko Daryna (UA)
Krešimir Borošak (CR)
Lena Jankov (RS)
Letícia Pires (BR)
Lu Prestint (IT)
Luciana Feito (AR)
Luna Clara Ronco (IT)
Manuela Vladic-Mastruko (CR)
Marco Toxico (BO)
Maria Frolova (BG)
Maria Kuyudzhuklieva (BG)
Maria Zilli (IT)
Marianne Harju (ES)
Marina Henina (LT)
Martina Ramljak (CR)
Michelle Turton (UK)
Milenko Stevanovic (CY)
Mina Dicheva (BG)
Mirela Mama Avenira (BG)
Moki (DE)
Nanda Mentesheva (BG)
Nastia Cistakova (NL)
Natalia Yamshchikova (LT)
Nicole Naumova (BG)
Nihan Bostancıoğlu (TR)
Nikita Abuya (KE)
Nikolay Bozhinov (BG)
Nina Zakharova (ES)
Niyati Froind (IL)
Nuppita Pittman (ES)
Octavian Marinescu (RO)
Olga Arkhipova (BG)
Olga Kutuzova (DE)
Oliwia Nowakowska (PL)
Omnia Elrefaey (EG)
Orhan Umut Gokcek (TR)
Paula Seguí (ES)
Pavleta Likomanov (BG)
Saioa Aginako Lamarain (ES)
Sanja Stiković (SL)
Savvas Ampatzidis (GR)
Sole Fiume (IT)
Solène Carrot (FR)
Stelian Kostadinov (BG)
Surakiat Suratananan (TH)
Tamás Rebák (HU)
Teodora Marginova (BG)
VÂNĂ (RO)
Vesa-Iliana Plaszczynska (BG)
Yan Hei Rachel (UK)
Yana Mosnytska (PL)
Yana Popova (BG)
Yutong Liu (UK)
Zdravka Boudinova (BG)
CHARACTERS ON THE ROAD
Opening: 20 September, 19:00 – 20:30, Railway Station, Varna – free entrance
A curated parade of illustrated characters sets off on a journey – revealing how they travel, what they pack, and the curious passports they carry. Their stories unfold through vibrant visuals, giving us a peek into the destinations they dream of (or escape from). And what better departure point than the iconic Varna Railway Station?
BALKAN CHARACTERS
Opening: 20 September, 20:30 – 22:30, The BookStore, Varna – free entrance
Eight artists, eight countries, endless creativity! From illustration and animation to textiles and street art, discover the freshest voices in Balkan character design at The Bookstore, Varna. Meet the main speakers of this year’s festival and experience their work up close. A unique chance to see how diverse styles and stories from across the region come together in one inspiring space.
The Homie Mountain - NANDA MENTESHEVA
Opening: 17 September, 17:00 – 19:00, UniCredit Studio, Sofia – free entrance
Instead of staying in the window frame, Vitosha steps into the story. The works of Nanda will invite you to trade the window view for the real thing — to discover that the mountain is not just a backdrop, but a way back to yourself.
Nanda Mentesheva, winner of last year’s Imagine Balkans call for entries, has been awarded a solo exhibition in 2025 by our partners UniCredit Studio.
Pack your sketchbooks, grab your passports (real or imaginary), and get your characters moving—Pictoplasma x Balkans is calling all illustrators, animators, and character creators to hit the road and join this year’s journey-inspired exhibition!
Whether your character is a jet-setter or a daydreamer, a backpacker or a teleporting introvert, we want to see how they travel. Do they ride trains through rainstorms, cruise clouds by plane, or just close their eyes and drift through dreamscapes? What’s in their luggage? What kind of passport would they carry? Are they chasing destinations—or simply the thrill of the trip?
However your characters wander, we want to meet them on the road.
Deadline: 23 August 2025
Call for entries – Submission form
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to 5 works in total. The number of characters in each work is up to you.
Through the official submission link: https://balkans.pictoplasma.com/exhibition/.
Digital or scanned artwork, ready for print:
- Size: 50 × 70 cm
- Colour mode: CMYK
- Resolution: 300 dpi
- Max file size: 200 MB
Yes. The call is open internationally.
Yes. All submissions must be in English.
Your work must be static and high resolution (up to 300 dpi and no larger than 200 MB) so it can be printed for the exhibition if selected.
Not necessarily. Previously published work is accepted, as long as it’s not older than 2 years.
Yes. As long as it meets the print specifications.
No. All entries must be static visuals suitable for print.
You may submit up to 5 works in total. The number of characters within each work is entirely up to you. You can choose any storytelling format as long as it is static — one standalone piece, a series of related images, etc. Your artistic freedom is encouraged, but the jury will have the final say on which works best fit the theme.