about
What are the
D2 Awards?
The D2 Awards celebrate outstanding architectural visualization, animation, and visual storytelling. Created by one of the industry's longest-running communities, they are more than a competition; they are an extension of the D2 community, recognizing exceptional work through the eyes of fellow artists, studios, filmmakers, and industry leaders - people who understand the craft best.
While the D2 Challenge is built around personal interpretations of a shared brief, the D2 Awards focus on the commissioned images and films that shape the industry every day, celebrating the work created for real projects, clients, and audiences around the world.
The animation category is presented in partnership with CAD'oro, drawing on their expertise in architectural filmmaking and a jury that extends beyond the visualization industry into the world of cinema. Together, D2 and CAD'oro aim to recognize not only technical excellence, but also the artistic vision, storytelling, and creative ambition that continue to push architectural visualization forward.
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CATEGORIES
Movie Award
Deadline: 2 August 2026 at 11:59 PM
Entry fee: Free
Animation: max 4 films / category
Duration: 30 sec - 30 min
Format: MP4 (downloadable link to video is required)
Resolution: Full HD
Max file size: 800 MB
COMMISSIONeD CATEGORY
Animation created for paying clients or for internal use by companies such as real estate developers, architectural firms, or design studios — submissions in this category showcase the highest level of visual quality and technical execution within a professional context, where creative decisions are shaped by project goals and client collaboration.
non-COMMISSIONeD CATEGORY
Animation created independently, outside of any professional assignment or commercial obligation — including conceptual explorations, passion projects, speculative designs, and artistic experiments produced without external direction or payment. Submissions in this category celebrate bold, imaginative storytelling and visual experimentation, where every creative decision is driven purely by the maker's own vision.
Image Award
Deadline: 2 August 2026 at 11:59 PM
Entry fee: Free
Images: max 6 / applicant
Format: JPG or PNG
Resolution: min 4K or higher
Max file size: 50 MB
COMMISSIONeD CATEGORY
Image created for paying clients or for internal use by companies such as real estate developers, architectural firms, or design studios — submissions in this category must be based on a 3D model production workflow, where AI tools may be used for enhancement. They showcase the highest level of visual quality and technical execution within a professional context, where creative decisions are shaped by project goals and client collaboration.
Last year CAD’ORO WINNERS
Commissioned Work Category
1st Prize
National Museum of Archaeology, Morocco
Brick Visual
2nd Prize
Armani Residences Diriyah
Binjan Studios
3rd Prize
Sugar Valley
ZOA Studio
Non-Commissioned Work Category
1st Prize
OPUS40
Nicolo' Garonzi
2nd Prize
Sanctuary
Torkuma Shija
3rd Prize
Terra Cotta
Yauhen Liashchynski
TIMELINE
Competition Schedule
JUN 22 - AUG 2
Call for Submissions
AUG 2 - 24
Judging period
AUG 24
Official nominees announced
SEPT 4
Live Awards Ceremony
The Jury
Film professional, producer,
MMA-MMKI
Professor of Architecture and Theory, Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Óbuda University
Chief Creative Officer at Brick Visual,
Architect MSC, Lead 3D Artist
Creative Director
Executive Manager & Partner of Beauty & The Bit
D2Challenge
This is a creative contest organized as part of the annual D2 Conferences. Participants are given specific creative briefs or themes (often with provided assets) and invited to produce visual work (typically CGI images or animations) that responds to the challenge.
