CGTrader Halloween 3D Art Challenge 2026: Six-Second Room Animation, $350 Top Prize
CGTrader challenges 3D creators to build an unsettling indoor scene in one continuous 6-second vertical shot. Submit by 31 October 2026, 23:59 UTC; first prize US$350.
Create a six-second cinematic 3D scene
CGTrader's 2026 Halloween 3D Art Challenge asks artists to design a single enclosed room—such as a bedroom, basement or corridor—and produce exactly one continuous six-second shot that conveys an eerie or unsettling mood. Use one royalty-free model from the CGTrader marketplace as a focal point, but build the overall interior yourself: a purchased ready-made full room is not allowed as the main scene. This is a real 3D environment and animation challenge, not a contest for text-only image prompts.
Official deadline and mandatory vertical format
CGTrader's own original announcement states that entries must be submitted by 31 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Some third-party competition listings show 1 November in other time zones; to avoid confusion, treat the timestamp in the organiser's announcement as authoritative. Render 9:16 vertical video at a minimum of 1080×1920 pixels and maintain a single uncut six-second shot. Entries are limited to one per person.
Submit on social platforms and credit the model
Publish the short reel publicly on Instagram, follow and tag @cgtrader, and include #CGTraderRoomChallenge. TikTok entries are also accepted using the same hashtag and @cgtrader_official. In the caption, credit the central asset's model and author, and briefly describe the creative concept. At least one royalty-free CGTrader model is required, but it can be a free model; entrants do not have to purchase a paid marketplace asset.
AI is permitted but a genuine 3D scene is essential
The official FAQ explicitly permits AI in the workflow, including models or textures created with CGTrader AI. However, a merely AI-generated video without an underlying constructed 3D scene cannot reach the shortlist. Ten shortlisted creators may be asked for a viewport or software screen capture and their original file. Copyrighted recognisable characters, fan art, gore, blood and graphic violence are forbidden by the challenge rules.
Prizes and organiser background
Cash awards are US$350 for first place, US$200 for second and US$100 for third, plus store-credit awards of US$100 and US$50 for fourth and fifth. Winners are scheduled to be announced on 6 November; the organiser may also repost submissions with credit. CGTrader is an established international 3D model marketplace, with official challenges, a model library and named industry judges. Cash winners may need to invoice through PayPal and provide tax/payment details only through legitimate organiser procedures.
Official organiser and application information
Information reviewed from the named primary source on 22 October 2026. Confirm the latest deadline, eligibility, fee conditions and intellectual-property rights directly with the organiser before applying.