I compiled this list for an art class, but some of the competitions are relevant to game developers and not just digital artists.

 

Indie Game Competitions

http://www.pixelprospector.com/indie-game-competitions/

Festivals

Terminus Game Conference: They have not listed their 2019 competition deadlines yet, but plan for them. This conference is in Atlanta (only 9 hours away!) and would be a great conference to show off your student games!

Challenges/competitions/contests

https://www.artstation.com/contests

http://weeklycgchallenge.com/about/

Blizzard student art competitions: https://careers.blizzard.com/en-us/students/contests

Animation Competition: http://www.11secondclub.com/

Weekly art challenges: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php/74-Art-Community-Activities

Computer Graphics and 3D Model Design competition: https://competition.adesignaward.com/competitions/computergraphics.html

https://hum3d.com/3d-artist-competitions/

Just missed this competition too (seems may of them had end of September/beginning of October deadlines) but it seems like a big International broad appeal Digital arts competition: https://lumenprize.com/faqs/

 

List of competitions/contests/shows that may have a broad interpretation (fine art, illustration, cg…)

https://intercompetition.com/index.php/art

https://www.artshow.com/juriedshows/

Illustration

https://graphiccompetitions.com/illustration/nami-island-picture-book-illustration-contest-2019/

https://www.commarts.com/competition/2019-illustration