Evermotion Challenge 2026

"No Shadow Without Light"

Evermotion Challenge is one of the longest-running rendering competitions in the world. We've been awarding the best architectural visualizations since 2004 - and in 2026 we return with a theme that goes to the very heart of image-making.

We invite 3D artists from around the globe to explore a deceptively simple idea: "No Shadow Without Light."

Light and shadow are inseparable parts of every visual composition - balancing them decides whether a work lands, breathes, and stands the test of time.

Works will be judged on technical execution, but also on imagination and artistic sensitivity. No AI-generated entries are accepted - this is a celebration of craft.

How to submit

To join the competition, simply click here or use "Submit your work" button above this article. Important! Works should be submitted by November 30th, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT +1). Full competition rules can be found in the "Rules" tab.

We will award three best works.

Prizes:

1th Place:
1. Evermotion: €1000 + Annual Studio Subscription
2. The Gnomon Workshop: Annual Subscriptions
3. Humano: collections worth 600 euro (to choose by the winner)
4. iRender: 800 render points
5. 3d-kstudio:  All Products Mega Bundle
6. NAG® ALL Software : NAG ALL Software 1 Ultimate license™ valued at €199 + 50K AI Credits valued at €90, NAG IN Script 1 Max License™ valued at €69, NAG Store 3D Model: hyper-realistic model of Phoenix Dactylifera palm trees, each valued at €120 

2nd Place:
1. Evermotion: €750 + Annual Studio Subscription
2. The Gnomon Workshop: Annual Subscriptions
3. Humano: collections worth 500 euro (to choose by the winner)
4. iRender: 600 render points
5. 3d-kstudio: Project Manager, PBR Material Generator, Spline Modeling Bundle, Moldings Mega Bundle, Batch Relink Application 
6. NAG® ALL Software : NAG ALL Software 1 Ultimate license™ valued at €199 + 25K AI Credits valued at €50, NAG IN Script 1 Pro License™ valued at €69, NAG Store 3D Model: hyper-realistic model of Phoenix Dactylifera palm trees, each valued at €120 

3rd Place:
1. Evermotion: €500 + Annual Studio Subscription
2. The Gnomon Workshop: Annual Subscriptions
3. Humano: collections worth 400 eur (to choose by the winner)
4. iRender: 400 render points
5. 3d-kstudio: Project Manager, PBR Material Generator, Batch Relink Application
5. NAG® ALL Software : NAG ALL Software 1 Ultimate license™ valued at €199  +10K AI Credits valued at €25, NAG IN Script 1 Pro License™ valued at €29, NAG Store 3D Model: hyper-realistic model of Phoenix Dactylifera palm trees, each valued at €120 

This year your works will be judged by:

	Artur Tamioła is one of the two creative minds behind CommonPoint, known for being a bit louder and a bit more cheerful. Over the years, Artur dipped toes in various creative fields, including art direction, design, 3d animation, video editing, color grading, coding and copywriting. This diverse experience has given him a broad perspective on creativity, and allowed him to blend different forms of artistic expression.
	Bartosz Domiczek is an architect who worked across various fields of CG industry and cherished doing it solo for almost 10 years. Getting locked down during the first COVID wave made him reevaluate his career and team up with Artur. This clash became the turning point, forcing him to confront his creative instincts in a new open way. He now finds this process deeply rewarding and shares his passion through CommonPoint. Bartosz is fueled by travels, preferably the long and distant ones. From his reckless formative hitchhiking ventures to the constant planning of that very next trip, they have always kept him running. When he's not exploring the unknown, he enjoys challenging himself with heavy-weight board games and cooking for his friends.
	Jakub Trusiewicz My fascination with 3D graphics began in 2015, and since then, this passion has become a part of my daily life – even more so, I’m fortunate enough to turn it into my profession. During my architectural studies, I learned the importance of sensitivity to form and structure, which naturally translated into my love for detail in 3D graphics. I enjoy discovering new possibilities that this technology offers and constantly expanding my horizons. I strive to be involved in every stage of the creative process – from concept to final visualization.
	Michał Górski (Evermotion) My fascination with 3D graphics dates back to my architectural studies, where I first encountered this art. Since then, this passion has evolved into my main creative path. What I particularly like about 3D graphics is discovering new, unexplored areas that constantly surprise and delight me. Thanks to constant exploration, I feel that I am constantly developing my skills, continuing my never-ending journey in the world of 3D graphics.
	Tomasz Kawecki