Sophie Castille Awards

Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation
Sponsored byVIP Brands Ltd.
CountryInternational
First award2023 (2023)
Websitewww.sophie-castille-awards.org

Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation is an award focused on recognizing the best translations of comic books into various languages. Its name honors Sophie Castille.

History

Sophie Castille Award Brazilian Portuguese 2026.

In 2022, Ivanka Hahnenberger, founder of the copyright company VIP Brands, developed a project for a global award focused on comic book translation, intended to honor Sophie Castille, who had passed away that year.[1][2]

The first edition of the Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation, focused on translations of comics into English, was held in 2023 in partnership between VIP Brands and the British events London Comics Festival (Comica) and Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF). Ninety works were submitted, of which 15 were shortlisted for review by judges Karen Green, Peter Kessler, and Dean Simons, who then chose three finalists.[1][3][4]

In 2024, the Spanish event Comic Barcelona organized, together with Red Vértice (Spanish network of associations of translators, interpreters and proofreaders), an edition of the award focused on translations into Spanish or Catalan. In the same year, new Sophie Castille Awards' editions were held in Italy (as part of the Napoli Comicon awards), Poland (with the Łódź International Comics and Games Festival), and Slovenia (with the Tinta festival, as part of the Zlatirepec award and divided into two categories: translation for children and young adults, and translation for adults).[5][6][7][8]

In 2025, the Greek Academy of Comics (Ελληνική Ακαδημία Κόμικς) incorporated the Sophie Castille Award into its traditional ΕΛ.ΒΡΑ.ΚΟ. award. In 2026, the award also began to include editions in Brazilian Portuguese (in partnership with Troféu Angelo Agostini) and in French (in partnership with SoBD). In the same year, it was announced that The Beat website would become the organizer of the English-language edition of the award.[8][9][10][11]

Sophie Castille

Sophie Castille was director of foreign rights for the Franco-Belgian comics publishing houses Dargaud, Dupuis and Le Lombard.[12]

Castille was born in Caen, France, in 1970. She began her career in the 1990s in Dargaud, managing foreign rights. In 2015, she was co-founder of the comics and graphic novel digital venture Europe Comics, a consortium of 13 European comic book publishers.[12][13][14]

She died on July 11, 2022, at the age of 51. In Frankfurt Book Fair, a group of international comics publishing professionals, colleagues, and friends organized a virtual memorial to pay tribute to her memory and career.[13][15][16]

Winners and nominees

English

Year Winners Nominees Ref.
2023 Michele Hutchison, for The Philosopher, The Dog and the Wedding (SelfMadeHero)
Original work: De filosoof, de hond en de bruiloft, by Barbara Stok
  • M.B. Valente, for All Princesses Die Before Dawn (Europe Comics)
    Original work: Toutes les princesses meurent après minuit, by Quentin Zuttion
  • Montana Kane, for Always Never (Dark Horse Comics)
    Original work: Malgré tout, by Jordi Lafebre
[17][18]
2024 Alexa Frank, for Offshore Lightning (Drawn & Quarterly)
Original work: 沖合の雷, by Saito Nazuna
  • Aleshia Jensen, for Juliette: Or, the Ghosts Return in the Spring (Drawn & Quarterly)
    Original work: Juliette: Les fantômes reviennent au printemps, by Camille Jourdy
  • Anna Howell, for The Many Lives of Charlie (Europe Comics)
    Original work: Les Vies de Charlie, by Kid Toussaint
  • Christopher Pope, for Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes (Titan Comics)
    Original work: Dans la Tête de Sherlock Holmes, by Cyril Lieron and Benoit Dahan
  • James Hogan, for In Search of Gil Scott-Heron (Titan Comics)
    Original work: A la recherche de Gil Scott-Heron, by Thomas Maucéri and Seb Piquet
  • Kendra Boileau, for I Don't Want to Be a Mom (Penn State University Press)
    Original work: Je ne veux pas être maman, by Irene Olmo
  • Montana Kane, for The Cliff (Titan Comics)
    Original work: La falaise, by Manon Debaye
  • Nanette McGuinness, for Through Clouds of Smoke: Freud's Final Days (Life Drawn Books)
    Original work: Freud: le moment venu, by Suzanne Leclaire and William Leroy
[19][20]
2025 Robin Lang and Helge Dascher, for The Jellyfish (Pow Pow Press)
Original work: La méduse, by Boum
[21]

Spanish or Catalan

Year Winners Nominees Ref.
2024 Regina López Muñoz, for Alison (Errata Naturae)
Original work: Alison, by Lizzy Stewart
[7]
2025 Carlos Mayor, for Obra hermética (Reservoir)
Original work: L'Œuvre hermétique, by Moebius
[22]

Italian

Year Winners Nominees Ref.
2024 Samanta K. Milton Knowles, for Astrologia (Fandango)
Original work: Liv Strömquists Astrologi, by Liv Strömquist
  • Anders Fransson, for Spa (SaldaPress)
    Original work: Spa, by Erik Svetoft
  • Enrica Battista, for Racconto Palestina (Mesogea)
    Original work: Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine, by Mohammad Saba'aneh
  • Olga Amagliani, for Shady (Rulez)
    Original work: Shady, by Brecht Vandenbroucke
  • Vania Vitali, for Gotham City: Anno Uno (Panini Comics)
    Original work: Gotham City: Year One, by Tom King and Phil Hester
[23]
2025 Toma Gudelyte, for La ragazza con il fucile: Storia di una piccola partigiana (Lavieri)
Original work: Mergaitė su šautuvu: Istorija apie mergaitę partizanę, by Lina Itagaki and Marius Marcinkevičius
  • Anders Fransson, for Le Lanterne di Nedzu (Saldapress)
    Original work: Nedzus lyktor, by Rui Tenreiro
  • Giovanni Stigliano Messut, for Esther (In Your Face Comix)
    Original work: Esther, by Keizo Miyanishi
  • Luce Lacquaniti, for Shubbek Lubbek. Ogni tuo desiderio (Coconino Press)
    Original work: شبيك لبيك, by Deena Mohamed
  • Stefano Andrea Cresti, for Diario (Journal) (Tunué)
    Original work: Journal, by Fabrice Neaud
[24][25]
2026 Mary Lou Emberti Gialloreti, for Il mio amico Kim Jong-un (Bao Publishing)
Original work: 내 친구 김정은, by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim
[26][27]

Polish

Year Winners Nominees Ref.
2024 Paweł Łapiński, for Terapia grupowa (Wydawnictwo Mandioca)
Original work: Therapie du groupe, by Manu Larcenet
[28][29]
2025 Marceli Szpak, for Nienawidzę Baśniowa, vol 5: Gert w piekle (Non Stop Comics)
  • Aga Zano, for Połączenia (Kultura Gniewu)
    Original work: Roaming, by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki
  • Jakub Jankowski, for Życie wesołe smutnego psa Corneliusa (Wydawnictwo Mandioca)
    Original work: La alegre vida del triste perro Cornelius, by Marc Torices
[30]

Slovenian

  • 2024:[5][31]
  • Translation for children and young adults:
    • Dušanka Zabukovec, for Kaj bo zakuhal krokodil? (KUD Sodobnost International) - original work by Federico Appel
    • Neža Vilhelm, for Globalno (Morfemplus) – original work by Giovanni Rigano, Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
    • Polonca Kovač, for Dnevnik Ane Frank: likovna priredba (Morfemplus) – original work by David Polonsky and Ari Folman
    • Špela Žakelj, for Garulfo: prva & druga knjiga (Graffit) – original work by Bruno Maïorana and Alain Ayroles
  • Translation for adults:
    • Liza Linde, for Teorija umetnosti vs. gospa Goldgruber (Zavod VigeVageKnjige) – original work by Nicolas Mahler
    • Marko Bratina, for Šola padanja (Forum) – original work by Mikael Ross
    • Polona Mertelj, for Sapiens v stripu. Del 1, Rojstvo človeštva (Mladinska knjiga) – original work by Daniel Casanave, Yuval Noah Harari and David Vandermeulen
  • 2025:
  • Translation for children and young adults:
    • Jaka Bulc, for Astrobučman (Mladinska knjiga) – original work: Astrochimp, by David Walliams
    • Jedrt Maležič, for Supervikend ob oceanu (Morfemplus) – original work: Le Super week-end de l'océan, by Gaëlle Almeras
    • Katja Šaponjić and Anja Zag Golob, for Ariol – Račji ples (VigeVageKnjige) – original work: Ariol – Le canard calé, by Emmanuel Guibert and Rémi Chaurand
  • Translation for adults:
    • Jedrt Maležič, for Berlinska trilogija 1: Kristalno poletje (Morfemplus) – original work: La trilogie berlinoise: L’été de cristal, by Pierre Boisserie and François Warzala
    • Julija Potrč Šavli, for Oksi (VigeVageKnjige) – original work: Oksi, by Mari Ahokoivu
    • Polona Mertelj, for Sapiens v stripu 2: Stebri civilizacije (Mladinska knjiga) – original work: Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization, by Yuval Noah Harari, David Vandermeulen and Daniel Casanave

Greek

  • 2025:[32][33]
    • Gabriel Tompalidis, for Camelot 3000 (Mikros Iros) - original work: Camelot 3000, by Mike W. Barr and Brian Bolland
    • Kasumi Mori, for Η Πριγκίπισσα του Αέναου Κάστρου (Jemma Press) – original work: The Princess of Never-Ending Castle, by Shintaro Kage
    • Tatiana Rapakoulia, for Ο Πόλεμος του Λούκας (Mikros Iros) – original work: Lucas' Wars, by Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche
    • Tatiana Rapakoulia, for Ταναναρίβη (Mikros Iros) – original work: Tananarive, by Mark Eacersall and Sylvain Vallee
    • Tatiana Rapakoulia, for Το Κάστρο των Ζώων #1: Μις Μπενγκαλορ (Mikros Iros) – original work: Animal Castle #1, by Xavier Dorison and Felix Delep

Brazilian Portuguese

Year Winners Finalists Semifinalists Ref.
2026 Érico Assis, for Eightball Completo (DarkSide)
Original work: The Complete Eightball, by Daniel Clowes (Fantagraphics)
  • Aline Zouvi, for Epiléptico (DarkSide)
    Original work: L’Ascension du Haut Mal, by David B. (L’Association)
  • Dandara Palankof, for Little Monsters Volume 2 (DarkSide)
    Original work: Little Monsters Volume 2, by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen (Image Comics)
  • Elisa Menezes, for A Lenda das Quatro Sombras (Risco)
    Original work: La Leyenda de las Cuatro Sombras, by Carlos Trillo and Fernando Fernández (Glénat España)
  • Érico Assis, for Happy Endings (Risco)
    Original work: Happy Endings, by Lucie Bryon (Sarbacane)
  • Levi Trindade, for A Moeda de Prata: Edição Integral (Taverna do Rei)
    Original work: The Silver Coin, by Michael Walsh, Chip Zdarsky, Kelly Thompson, Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Joshua Williamson, Ram V, Matthew Rosenberg, Vita Ayala, James Tynion IV, Stephanie Phillips, Johnnie Christmas and Pornsak Pichetshote (Image Comics)
  • Rodrigo Lobo, for Thorgal: Série Clássica Volume 1 (Pipoca & Nanquim)
    Original work: Thorgal, by Grzegorz Rosiński and Jean Van Hamme (Le Lombard)
  • Angélica Andrade, for Helen de Wyndhorn (Suma)
    Original work: Helen of Wyndhorn, by Tom King, Bilquis Evely and Matheus Lopes (Dark Horse)
  • Carlos Rutz, for Popeye: Primeira Aparição (Tábula)
    Original work: Popeye: I Yam What I Yam, by de E.C. Segar (Fantagraphics)
  • Carol Pimentel, for Mulher-Maravilha: As Aventuras da Jovem Diana Volume 2 (Panini)
    Original work: Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana, by Jordie Bellaire and Paulina Ganucheau (DC Comics)
  • Claudio Roberto Martini, for Mega: Terror nas Cataratas (Zarabatana)
    Original work: Mega Vol. 2: El Despertar del Cisne Negro, by Salvador Sanz (OVNI Press)
  • Drik Sada, for Battle Royale Volume 5 (Pipoca & Nanquim)
    Original work: バトル・ロワイアル, by Koushun Takami and Masayuki Taguchi (Akita Shoten)
  • Drik Sada, for Fóssil dos Sonhos (Pipoca & Nanquim)
    Original work: 夢の化石 今敏全短篇, de Satoshi Kon (Kodansha)
  • Érico Assis, for Hoje É Um Belo Dia Para Matar (DarkSide)
    Original work: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, by Patrick Horvath (IDW Publishing)
  • Letícia Ribeiro Carvalho, for O Eternauta: Segunda Parte (Pipoca & Nanquim)
    Original work: El Eternauta II, by Héctor G. Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López (Editorial Récord)
  • Luiz Claudio Bodanese, for A Menina do Outro Lado [dear.] (DarkSide)
    Original work: とつくにの少女 [dear.], by Nagabe (Mag Garden)
  • Luiz Claudio Bodanese, for Engolidos pela Terra (DarkSide)
    Original work: 地球を呑む, by Osamu Tezuka (Tezuka Productions)
  • Mario Luiz C. Barroso, for Dick Tracy (Trem Fantasma)
    Original work: Dick Tracy Vol. 1, by Alex Segura, Michael Moreci and Geraldo Borges (MadCave)
  • Pedro Bouça, for Os Tecnopapas (Pipoca & Nanquim)
    Original work: Les Technopères: intégrale, by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Zoran Janjetov and Fred Beltran (Les Humanoïdes Associés)
  • Renata Silveira, for Silêncio (Risco)
    Original work: Silence, by Didier Comès (Casterman)
[34][35][36]

References

  1. 1 2 "The inaugural SOPHIE CASTILLE AWARD for Comics in Translation has opened for publisher submissions". Comics Beat. January 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Des prix de traduction créés en mémoire de Sophie Castille" (in French). ActuaLitté. March 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Inaugural Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation short list revealed". downthetubes.net. July 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Prima edizione del "Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation": Decisi i tre finalisti" (in Italian). Fumettomania Factory. August 7, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Zlatirepec 2024" (in Slovenian). Tinta. 2024.
  6. ↑ "I fumetti in nomination ai premi di Comicon 2024" (in Italian). Fumettologica. March 14, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Premio Sophie Castille a la mejor traducción" (in Spanish). Ficomic. May 3, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "The Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation – English Shortlist Announced". downthetubes.net. September 3, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Τα Ελληνικά Βραβεία Κόμικς ανακοινώνουν την Τελετή Απονομής τους για το 2025" (in Greek). IGN Greece. May 7, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Prêmio de tradução de HQ ganha edição dedicada ao português do Brasil" (in Portuguese). PublishNews. March 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Announcing the 2026 Sophie Castile Awards for Comics in Translation – US Edition". Comics Beat. April 8, 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Sophie Castille (1970-2022)" (in German and English). Reprodukt. July 11, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "R.I.P. Sophie Castille". ICv2. July 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Cofondatrice et directrice d'Europe Comics, Sophie Castille est morte" (in French). ActuaLitté. July 22, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Décès tragique de Sophie Castille, directrice des droits étrangers de Mediatoon" (in French). Actua BD. July 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Frankfurt Book Fair 2022: Remembering Sophie Castille". Publishers Weekly. October 19, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Sophie Castille Awards finalists announced". Comics Beat. November 8, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Vertaler Michele Hutchison wint Sophie Castille Award voor strips in vertaling" (in Dutch). Literair Vertalen. October 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ "2024 Sophie Castille Awards: Comics in Translation – English Shortlist Announced". Comic Book News UK. September 3, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Alexa Frank Wins Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation 2024". Bleeding Cool. October 4, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Robin Lang & Helge Dascher Win Sophie Castille Comic Translation Award". Bleeding Cool. September 27, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Sophie Casttille Award fo Best Translation" (in Spanish). Ficomic. April 4, 2024.
  23. ↑ "I vincitori dei Premi di Comicon Napoli 2024" (in Italian). Fumettologica. April 22, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Annunciato al Comicon il Vincitore del Sophie Castille Awards – Italiano: Toma Gudelytė, per la traduzione di Mergaitė su šautuvu: istorija apie mergaitę partizanę" (in Italian). Fumettomania Factory. May 21, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Comicon 2025: le nomination ai premi del Palmarès" (in Italian). Lo Spazio Bianco. March 10, 2025.
  26. ↑ "I vincitori dei Premi del Palmarès di COMICON 2026" (in Italian). Comicus. May 3, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Annunciate le candidature ai premi del Palmarès ufficiale del Comicon 2026" (in Italian). Lo Spazio Bianco. March 19, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Finaliści Nagrody translatorskiej im. Sophie Castille" (in Dutch). Międzynarodowy Festiwal Komiksu i Gier. September 10, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Paweł Łapiński laureatem pierwszej edycji Nagrody Translatorskiej im. Sophie Castille" (in Dutch). Stowarzyszenie Tłumaczy Literatury. September 23, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Sophie Castille Award in Polish - 2025 Edition". Sophie Castille Awards' official website. 2025.
  31. ↑ "Podelili nagrade za najboljše stripe" (in Slovenian). Mladina. 14 October 2024.
  32. ↑ "Ελληνικά Βραβεία Κόμικς 2025: Οι Υποψηφιότητες και η Τελετή Απονομής" (in Greek). IGN Greece. 12 May 2025.
  33. ↑ "Απονεμήθηκαν τα Βραβεία Κόμικς 2025 με την χορηγική υποστήριξη του ΟΣΔΕΛ" (in Greek). Οργανισμός Συλλογικής Διαχείρισης Έργων του Λόγου. 27 May 2025.
  34. ↑ "Edição brasileira do Sophie Castille Awards divulga semifinalistas" (in Portuguese). PublishNews. April 30, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Conheça os finalistas do Sophie Castille Awards" (in Portuguese). AQC-ESP's official website. May 21, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Érico Assis vence edição brasileira do prêmio de tradução Sophie Castille Awards por "Eightball Completo"" (in Portuguese). Fora do Plástico. June 3, 2026.