YOUR JOURNEY TO THE GLOBAL FINAL
Retoucher of the Year is designed to celebrate exceptional talent at both regional and global levels.
Artists first compete within their region, earning the opportunity to advance to the Global Final and stand alongside some of the world’s most talented retouchers. From emerging artists to established professionals, every participant begins the same journey—with the chance to gain recognition, represent their region, and compete for international titles.
The road to the Global Final starts here.
REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
& GLOBAL FINAL
The competition is divided into four regional competitions:
Europe | Americas | Africa & Middle East | Asia-Pacific
Participants compete within the region associated with their country of residence.
- Following the regional judging process, the Top 50 Artists from each region are recognised among the region’s leading retouching artists through the official Retoucher of the Year Regional Rankings.
- In each category, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are invited to represent their region in the Global Final, where they compete against the strongest talent from around the world.
This two-stage structure allows artists to gain recognition within their region while creating a clear pathway to international titles and global recognition.
Registration is now open for the first global edition of ROTY
REGISTER NOW AND RECEIVE
Follow Retoucher of the Year on Instagram and visit our jury members’ and affiliate partners’ profiles to find a 10% discount code for your registration.
Access to the private Ordo Lucis group —
a creative inner circle where you’ll find:
- Portfolio feedback
- Guidance on professional layer structure and file organisation
- Behind-the-scenes insights from industry experts
- Connect with retouchers and photographers from around the world
Join artists from around the world in celebrating the craft of retouching and helping shape its future.
Whether you’re entering to challenge yourself, gain recognition, support the industry, or simply because you love the craft, this is your opportunity to be part of the first global edition of Retoucher of the Year.
Secure your place now.
Registration Opens
2026
February
01
Registration Closes
2026
Sept
30
(24:00 UTC)
Submission Period
2026
Oct
01
25
(24:00 UTC)
Jury Period
2026
From October
26
(4-5 weeks)
THE NEXT STEP
Regional Rankings recognise the Top 50 Artists in each region.
Regional Titles and cash prizes are awarded to the category winners within each region.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category then advance to the Global Final, where they compete for the international titles.
While the Global Final does not include additional cash prizes, it determines the holders of the competition’s highest honours and international titles.
THE GLOBAL
SHOWCASE & CHALLENGE
The Global Final brings together the strongest artists from every region.
Following the regional competitions, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category are invited to represent their region on the international stage and compete for the highest titles in the competition:
Beauty Retoucher of the Year / Product Retoucher of the Year / Fashion Retoucher of the Year / Colour Grader of the Year / Composite Retoucher of the Year / Rising Star of the Year – Beauty / Rising Star of the Year – Product
A celebration of human creativity, craftsmanship, technical excellence, and the artists shaping the future of retouching.
Submission Period
2026
Dec
01
13
(24:00 UTC)
Jury Period
2026
From Dec
14
(2 weeks)
Our approach to regions in conflict:
We welcome individuals, not politics.
Participation focuses solely on artistry and mutual respect, because creativity must remain a safe space for expression.
