The Illustrators Survival Corner

The Illustrators Survival Corner was created in 2017, as a dedicated area for the illustrator community, providing a home for the many artists who come in search of creative insight, new collaborations, examples of good design and opportunities to show publishers their portfolios

It caters to both beginners and professionals, offering a daily schedule of appointments that include:

• Portfolio Review: an opportunity for emerging illustrators to present their portfolios to leading publishers, author illustrators, agents and art directors in order to receive opinions and valuable suggestions.
• Workshops: hands-on drawing and design workshops for illustrators taught by international artists
• Masterclasses: offer illustrators concrete information and practical tools: from self-promotion to handling interviews with the publishers, from contracts to using social media, from creative processes to professional experiences

The Illustrators Survival Corner is the base camp for the international illustration community. A place to learn, discuss and share professional experiences, a compass in the great sea of illustration.

THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER AT 2025 BCBF

The Illustrators Survival Corner, the space dedicated to illustrators and curated by Mimaster Illustrazione, returns for this edition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Publishers, agents, illustrators, art directors, and authors will be the protagonists of a rich program of events featuring masterclasses, workshops, and portfolio reviews that explore key areas of the profession, always with a focus on new market trends and the future evolution of the industry.

HOW TO PARTECIPATE

• Participation to Portfolio Reviews, Workshops and The Original Art Exhibition Tours is upon reservation only (on Eventbrite).
• Subscriptions will open on March 24th at 1:30 PM (Central Europe Time Zone), visit BCBF page on Eventbrite to register.
• You can only book 2 portfolio reviews and 1 workshop per day. Please do not sign up for more appointments than indicated, excess bookings will be removed by our staff.
• Masterclasses are open to all without reservations, but spots are limited, so be sure to arrive early to ensure your participation.

Among this year’s guests will be many internationally renowned illustrators such as Beatrice Alemagna, Heena Baek, Serge Bloch, Loes Riphagen, Marc Majewsky, and the cartoonist and caricaturist Altan.
The public of The Illustrators Survival Corner will also meet the jurors of the Illustrators Exhibition 2025, including Walter Fochesato, Chris Haughton, Neal Porter, Felicita Sala, and Gema Sirvent.
Among the masterclasses dedicated to the professional skills of illustrators, a series of meetings will cover topics such as building a portfolio, creating a lasting career, and the relationship between illustrators and representation agencies.

Bologna Children’s Book Fair celebrates the best illustration talents from around the world and brings them to the Fair. Always committed to promoting emerging illustrators, BCBF has gathered some of the best young talents from Mexico to China, Thailand to Nigeria and they will be special guests of The Illustrators Survival Corner program 2025.
The portfolio reviews, always one of the most appreciated events for illustrators seeking advice for their professional careers, will feature major names from both Italy and abroad, such as HarperCollins, Media Vaca, Phaidon Press, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. A special space will be dedicated to a series of portfolio reviews focused on licensing, organized by BLTF/Kids.
The Survival Corner will also host, for the second year, “The Original Art” exhibition, one of the most prestigious activities organized by the Society of Illustrators, with a series of related events, including workshops and guided tours.

Following last year’s success, the Portfolio Marathon returns on Thursday, April 3rd, a day entirely dedicated to portfolio reviews. This event is aimed at the finalists of the Mostra Illustratori 2025 and provides an opportunity for publishers and illustrators to meet. The idea, born from Mimaster Illustrazione and BCBF, is designed to reward the talent and achievements of those who have passed the first jury selection and to facilitate connections between publishing houses and new voices in international illustration.
During the Portfolio Marathon, participants' portfolios will also be evaluated for the Bologna Portfolio Award BCBF25, which offers the illustrator with the best portfolio a trip to participate in the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair in November 2025.