Introduction:
On April 23, the second Lord of the Mysteries Global Creator Contest officially commenced. Organized by Yuewen, the competition continues its mission to support diverse and individual creative expression. Centered on the theme Mystic Dreams: Choices and Guardianship, the contest invites global artists and creators to submit multimedia works—including illustrations, videos, models, and more. With a total prize pool of RMB 300,000, outstanding submissions will receive full-platform promotional exposure and the opportunity to participate in building the Mysteries Universe.
Lord of the Mysteries, written by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Writers Association, is a fantasy novel published in 2018. It blends a Victorian-era setting with elements of the Cthulhu Mythos and Western occult systems, creating a unique structure of twenty-two divine pathways. With its expansive world-building and simultaneous global serialization, the work has become a phenomenon in online literature, continually setting new industry benchmarks. The second installment set in the same universe, Circle of Inevitability, concluded in January 2025 and broke numerous records both in China and abroad, further elevating the influence of the Mysteries IP and earning a worldwide fanbase of over 100 million.
In 2024, both Lord of the Mysteries and Circle of Inevitability were added to the collections of the British Library. That same year, the first Creator Contest attracted participation from over a thousand artists and enthusiasts from more than ten countries, including China, the UK, France, and Italy. Italian multimedia artist Carlo Maria Rossi, a devoted fan of the series, created several immersive installations and spatial artworks based on the novel. He shared, “Chinese online literature opened a new world for me. The rich character development and intricate world-building of Lord of the Mysteries deeply inspired my work. My creations aim to merge immersive art with the essence of Eastern literature, and I look forward to continuing to share the results of this cultural fusion with peers around the world.”
During the second contest, Yuewen will collaborate with the Nanjing Library to launch an immersive “Mysteries Universe” experience, integrating literature, art, and digital technology to offer readers a multidimensional and engaging journey. The exhibition will feature selected works from the first contest, including hand-drawn illustrations and environment designs by international artists and fans. One highlight will be Mr. Fool’s Box, an interactive audio-visual installation by emerging artist Li Chenxiao, combining avant-garde art with cutting-edge technology.
In addition, the animated adaptation of Lord of the Mysteries is scheduled to debut on Tencent Video this summer. The project has already attracted over one million reservations.
Theme: HOPE IS A WAKING DREAM｜Enigmatic Dreamscapes: Choices and Guardianship
A dialogue between Western fantasy literature and visual art, seeking emerging artists of a new generation.
- How can novels be transformed into art and extended into cross-media practices, resonating with themes such as the Industrial Revolution, ecology, and the supernatural?
- Responding to the voice of literature through art — letting artworks echo, interpret, or contrast with narrative textures.
- Exploring new possibilities between fiction and visual arts — how they inspire, reshape, and redefine each other.
- Reimagining literature across artistic forms — how stories are retold, responded to, and transformed through visual media, while engaging with world-building, historical echoes, and the dialogue between text and image.
- Conveying the lingering resonance and continuity of literature through art — extending the spirit of novels beyond the page.
Call for Submissions – Categories
🔹 2D Works:
Graphic design, original illustrations, character concept art, and other forms of image-based creation.
🔹 Multimedia Works:
Video, music, 3D models, and other digital/multimedia formats.
🔹 Physical Works:
Derivative merchandise, sculpture, installations, and other tangible creations.
Evaluation Criteria
🔹 IP Alignment:
The work should deeply integrate the core elements of the “Mystery” IP (such as characters, world-building, symbols, etc.). While maintaining recognizability, it should convey the spirit and cultural value of the IP through innovative expression.
🔹 Creativity:
Visually original and aesthetically compelling, the work should demonstrate unique artistic techniques and clever integration with the “Mystery” IP. It should stand out in form and exhibit distinctive visual language.
🔹 Scalability:
The use of highly recognizable symbols should spark resonance and strengthen users’ cultural identification with the “Mystery” IP. The design should demonstrate potential for expansion across different scenarios, enabling transformation from content consumption to commercial value.
Creative Requirements Description
🔹 2D/Graphic Category:
- Size Requirements: Image resolution must be ≥ 300 dpi. Horizontal layout: size must be ≥ 3840 × 2160 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Vertical layout: size must be ≥ 2160 × 3840 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 9:16. Color mode: RGB.
- Format Requirements: Submit source files of bitmap or vector format that retain a resolution of 300 dpi, suitable for print production. Supported source formats include AI, PSD, etc. Design elements such as icons and background images should be layered independently and extractable for separate use.
- The design must also consider its applicability to future scenarios, including figure production, merchandise printing, and online promotion.
🔹 Multimedia Category:
- Audio Requirements: File format: MP3 with a bitrate of no less than 128 kbps. Duration: at least 60 seconds. If the work includes singing or original lyrics, please also upload a Word document of the lyrics.
- Video Requirements: File format: MP4 with a resolution of ≥ 1080P. Duration: no longer than 15 minutes. Recommended video bitrates: 1080P: ≥ 6000 kbps，4K: ≥ 20000 kbps，8K: ≥ 40000 kbps. Audio sampling rate: 48000 Hz，Recommended audio bitrate: 320 kbps.
- 3D Model Requirements: The length or width of the canvas should be no less than 2480 px. Resolution: 300 dpi. Size and layout (horizontal or vertical) can be determined by the participant without restriction. Permitted post-processing is limited to adjusting brightness/contrast, levels, sharpness, color balance, curves, hue/saturation using 3D or 2D software (e.g., Photoshop). Drawing, modifying content, or adding other post-production effects is not allowed.
🔹 Physical Object Category:
- Creative Concept: It is recommended to include design sketches, explanatory diagrams, and documentation of the creative process, including inspiration, design logic, structural planning, and functional considerations.
- Completeness Requirement: The complete physical work must be preserved. Participants may be required to ship the item for judging or exhibition. If the item is fragile or hazardous, special packaging is required and the organizer must be notified in advance.
- Material Requirements: All materials used must comply with safety regulations. Prohibited or unsafe materials are not allowed.
- Creative Process Documentation: It is recommended to record the creation process through photos or videos. Photos should be arranged chronologically, and videos should present the process in a coherent and continuous manner.
Submission File Guidelines
🔹 2D/Graphic Category:
- Size Requirements: Cover and content images must follow a 16:9 aspect ratio. Each image file must be no larger than 5MB. Image resolution must be ≥ 300 dpi.
- Format Requirements: Supported formats: PNG or JPG.
- Quantity Requirements： A maximum of 5 content images can be submitted.
🔹 Multimedia Category:
- Audio File Requirements: Must be in MP3 format with a bitrate ≥ 128 Kbps. Duration must be no less than 60 seconds. File size must not exceed 200MB. When uploading, compress the audio file into a .rar or .zip file for submission.
- Video File Requirements: Must be in MP4 format with a resolution ≥ 1080P. Duration must be no more than 15 minutes. File size must not exceed 300MB.
- 3D Model Design File Requirements:
Option 1: Submit rendered images with resolution ≥ 300 dpi, in PNG or JPG format, up to 5 images, with each image ≤ 5MB.
Option 2: Submit one MP4 video showcasing the model from multiple angles, with a file size ≤ 300MB.
🔹 Physical Object Category:
- Image Display: Submit multi-angle photos of the physical object. Up to 5 images, each ≤ 5MB. Supported formats: PNG, JPG, with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- Video Display: Submit one MP4 video showcasing the product from multiple angles, optionally including production process footage. Maximum duration: 5 minutes; file size ≤ 300MB.
Awards & Prizes
Total prize pool: Approximately RMB300,000. Each entry is eligible for one award only.
| Award | Quantity | Prize (Tax Included) |
| Grand Prize | 1 | RMB 60,000 |
| Gold Award | 3 | RMB 30,000 |
| Silver Award | 6 | RMB 10,000 |
| Silver Award | 10 | RMB 6,000 |
| Honorable Mention | 10 | RMB 3,000 |
Selection Process
🌟 Online Voting Phase
- Centralized Display：All submissions that pass the preliminary review will be randomly displayed on the event page of Qidian (起点) and the official mini-program “Curly Baboon Research Society (卷毛狒狒研究会)” from May to June 2025.
- Online Voting：The voting period will take place from September 25 to October 10, 2025 on the Qidian event page and the official mini-program “Curly Baboon Research Society.”
- Announcement of Online Voting Results:The results will be officially announced at 12:00 PM on October 17, 2025. Top-ranked entries from the online voting will advance to the Final Jury Review.
🌟 Final Jury Review (Offline)
- A professional jury composed of experts from the fields of art, literature, film, and technology will select the final winners.
- Finalist works will be presented on-site, with each team or individual selecting one representative to introduce the work via video (no longer than 2 minutes).
- The jury will evaluate entries based on the following criteria: Concept & Creativity + Visual Expression + Artistic Exploration + Application Potential +
- Final scores for each entry will be calculated as: 80% Jury Score + 20% Online Voting Score.
📌 Offline Jury Panel (Tentative)
- Sun Mengjin｜Music critic, film critic, poet, visiting professor at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, and art advisor at the Documentary Center of Shanghai Television.
- Zheng Shengtian｜Renowned artist, art critic, and senior international curator; board member of the International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art in Vancouver.
- Qian Gang｜Regional General Manager of Greater China and Northeast Asia at VisitBritain; formerly served at the British Consulate-General in Shanghai and the British Council.
Competition Timeline
| Phase | Period |
| Submission Period | April 23, 2025 – September 10, 2025, 12:00 PM |
| Online Voting Period | September 25, 2025, 12:00 PM – October 10, 2025, 12:00 PM |
| Final Jury Review | Late October 2025 |
| Results Announcement | Early November 2025 |
Q&A
Q: Who can apply?
A: Proposals are welcome from anyone, including emerging and mid-career artists, talented students, and independent creators worldwide.
Q: Does the project have to relate to a theme?
A: Yes. The theme serves as a foundation for exploring novel-inspired content and broader social issues, such as the Industrial Revolution, ecology, and the supernatural.
Q: Do you accept AI-generated images?
A: No. Submissions containing AI-generated content will be disqualified if selected.
Q: Is there a submission fee?
A: No, submission is free.
Q: Can I submit my work in English or Chinese?
A: Yes, we welcome submissions in both English and Chinese.
🔹 How to Apply:
Please email the materials mentioned above with the subject line [Lord of the Mysteries_Your Name] to: gmabcd@yuewen.com
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