Made to create. Meant to be seen. Adobe MAX 2026 Creativity Awards

Celebrating innovation, impact, and excellence with Adobe tools. Enter for a chance to have your work showcased at MAX.

Submit your work.
Earn your spotlight.

The Adobe MAX Creativity Awards are a celebration of the creative community, highlighting the individuals and teams whose work inspires, challenges expectations, and redefines what can be made with Adobe tools.

Submit your project for consideration by a panel of Adobe judges. Honorees will receive a MAX pass, airfare, and hotel accommodations, and their work will be shared at MAX and across Adobe platforms.

Submissions close July 31. One entry per category. Explore categories, judging criteria, official rules, and submission links below.

Each category will have two award levels:

Creative pro projects

Projects created by professional creators, including both client/commercial work and personal, self-initiated work.

Young creator projects

Projects created by someone age 18–22 at the time of the work.

Enter your work View 2025 honorees

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the Adobe MAX Creativity Awards?

    The Adobe MAX Creativity Awards celebrate exceptional creative work from individuals and teams around the world who are using Adobe tools in bold, inspiring, and innovative ways. Finalists and honorees are recognized at Adobe MAX.

    Who can enter?

    Anyone age 18 or older who lives in an eligible country and meets the project requirements can enter. See the eligibility section for details.

    What are the award categories this year?

    The 2026 categories are:

    • Design – Innovation in Design and Branding
    • Motion – Expressive Movement
    • Video – Cinematic Storytelling
    • Image Making – Bold Expression
    • Photography – Captured Perspectives

    What are the award levels and how do I know which one to choose?

    Submissions are accepted in two levels:

    • Creative professional – Projects created by professional creators, including both client/commercial work and personal, self-initiated work.
    • Young creators – Projects created by someone age 18–22 at the time of the work.

    Is there a cost to enter?

    No, submission is free.

    What are the prizes for honorees?

    Honorees will receive:

    • Two MAX 2026 conference passes
    • Roundtrip airfare, for one traveler
    • One hotel room near the MAX venue, for up to four nights
    • One custom designed trophy
    • Access to an exclusive reception in Miami during the MAX conference
    • Recognition at Adobe MAX and project featured on the Adobe MAX website
    • One 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription

  • When do submissions open and close?

    Submissions open on June 9, 2026 and close on July 31, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

    When will winners be announced?

    Winners will be publicly announced at Adobe MAX 2026.

    When will I be notified if I’ve been selected?

    Honorees will be contacted in September. Please ensure your contact info is accurate during submission.

  • Can I enter if I’m under 18?

    No, all entrants must be 18 or older at the time of submission.

    Can I enter if I live outside of the eligible countries?

    Unfortunately, only residents of eligible countries may participate. If your country is not listed in the dropdown, you are not eligible this year.

    Can I enter if I’m an Adobe employee or contractor?

    No, current Adobe employees, contractors, and anyone submitting on behalf of Adobe or affiliated entities are not eligible.

    Can I submit team work or collaborative projects?

    Yes. One person should submit on behalf of the team, and all contributors should be credited in the submission.

    Can I submit for multiple awards?

    Yes, you may submit multiple entries, but only one project may be submitted per award category. Choose the category that best reflects the core focus of the work.

    Can I submit work that was done for a client if they own the rights to it?

    If the client has granted you the rights and permissions to submit the project in this context, you may submit that work.

  • What file types and formats can I submit?

    You can share your work via links to cloud-hosted files (e.g., Dropbox, Behance, Google Drive, Adobe Portfolio, Vimeo). Please ensure all links are public and accessible.

    For still images:

    • Please provide files that are 4K or 3840pixels on long edge.
    • Accepted image types include png, psd, jpeg, and TIFF.

    For video:

    • Please provide files that are a min of 1080p or 1920x1080.
    • Accepted file types include Apple ProRes or H264.

    Instructions for submitting files via links:

    • Upload files to a secure cloud storage service. Ensure that files are properly organized and named for easy identification.
    • Adjust the link sharing settings to allow access to anyone. Ensure the sharing link is set to "Anyone with the link can view" to avoid any access issues.
    • Copy the sharing link and paste into the designated field on the submission form.
    • Before final submission, test the link yourself to ensure that it opens correctly and that all files are accessible without any additional permissions required.

    Do I need to include process work or documentation?

    It’s optional but encouraged. Judges appreciate insight into your creative process when available.

    What Adobe tools must be used?

    At least one Adobe Creative Cloud product or service must have been used in the creation of the project.

    Can I use non-Adobe tools in my project?

    Yes, but Adobe tools must have played a significant role in the creative process.

  • Who will judge the awards?

    A panel of respected creative professionals, industry experts, and Adobe team members will evaluate submissions.

    What are the judging criteria?

    Each category has its own set of criteria, but all entries are judged on creativity, execution, originality, and alignment with the category focus.

    How are winners selected?

    Finalists are selected by reviewers and judges through a scoring process. Tie-breakers may include additional evaluation of emotional impact, execution, or originality.

    Will I receive feedback on my submission?

    Due to the volume of entries, we’re unable to provide individual feedback.

  • How do I submit my work?

    Visit the official submission form(opens in a new window) select your category and level, and complete the required questions. Provide links to your work and submit before the deadline.

    Can I edit my submission after it’s been submitted?

    You cannot edit a submission once it’s been finalized, so please double-check everything before submitting.

    Will I receive confirmation when my submission is complete?

    Yes, you will receive an email confirmation once your submission is successfully received. Also, a notification should appear on the page underneath the nomination button.

    What if I have technical issues with the submission form?

    If you encounter any problems, contact our support team at maxsupport@adobe-events.com

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  • Will winners be announced publicly?

    Yes, winners will be recognized live at Adobe MAX, featured on the event website, and across Adobe’s social channels.

    Can I share that I’ve been selected before the announcement?

    If you’re selected, you’ll be asked to keep the news confidential until the official announcement at MAX. After the official announcement is made, you may share freely.

    Will my work be promoted by Adobe?

    Selected honorees may have their work featured in Adobe blogs, social channels, and promotional materials.

The new skills my team and I took away from Adobe MAX this year are phenomenal."
— MAX 2025 attendee