MM: First, can you describe the training offered to become a FISM judge? Who provides this training? How long does it take? In summary, what are the prerequisites and how does one become a FISM judge?

PD: Before discussing the training itself, it’s important to note that the maximum number of official judges is set at 150 worldwide. The number of judges per country is defined by the CAS (Contestant Allocation System).

This calculation accounts for the number of FISM members represented by a country. This system is used, primarily, to define the number of participants selected for a FISM competition.

France should have 6 official judges, but it has 8, an exception because some had already judged in world competitions before the qualification system was implemented, and their judge status was maintained. The maximum number of official judges per continental division and by country is recalculated every 3 years. Each continental division (Europe, Asia, North America, South America) can have at least 4 judges to facilitate the organization of a FISM-recognized competition with judges from the same continent.

Likewise, each country has the right to have at least one judge. A country can have a candidate for an official judge position only if there are available slots and the candidate meets the conditions of the JAS (Jury Allocation System).

Currently, France no longer has available slots for new judges. If at the time of the recalculation the number is still above what the JAS allows, the official judges will keep their positions, but in case of resignation or death, they will not be replaced. The candidate must be qualified in the art of magic as well as in evaluating magical performances. Clearly, they must have a good knowledge and have had the opportunity to prove their skills in judging competitions in their country or another. They must be able to understand and express themselves in English and guarantee their availability to be part of a FISM jury.

There is no discrimination based on age, sex, or culture. Each candidate must be presented and supported by the president of their FISM society and by an official judge. Applications can be submitted at any time but are reviewed by the FISM BOARD between October 1 and December 31 each year.

The candidate must sign a non-disclosure agreement and be thoroughly familiar with the rules applicable to FISM official judges. They must demonstrate high moral and ethical values. The candidate can only become an official judge if they pass 5 online tests (at least 4 of which must meet the average scores of the official judges).

They must have participated in 3 FISM-certified contests under real conditions (applying the FISM OSS – Official Scoring System) and if their points are at least twice in line with the average of the official judges on the jury.

If for 3 consecutive years, the candidate does not request an online test or participate in a qualified competition, they must start the procedure from the beginning. Official qualification as a judge is obtained after validation of the 8 stages of training and validation of the results by the FISM BOARD, which alone gives its approval. They will receive their FISM official judge card at a certified contest during an official ceremony.

MM: Do you have to be a magician to “judge” other magicians?

PD: It is important that the judge be a magician or demonstrate a deep knowledge of the magic art. However, when forming a jury panel, the FISM Board ensures that it consists of different components of an act (technique, staging, originality). This implies that some judges will be technicians, others will focus more on staging, and yet others will be more directly knowledgeable about tricks or routines in their operation or history, or they are inventors/creators themselves.

This last point is very important for determining possible copies or plagiarism. During the final phases of the WCM, an “advisory” judge may be called upon who is not a magician but who works in the professional show domain; Monique Nakachian has been a judge-advisor several times.

MM: What are the FISM-certified contests that allow you to compete in a FISM contest?

PD: In principle, there is no limitation to be recognized as a “FISM-certified contest”; organizers just need to make the request and accept the conditions for certification, which are: Strict respect for FISM rules without modification, a jury panel composed of at least 50% of official judges including the president of the jury, communication of FISM certification on all communication supports, information to candidates, preference for the use of the FISM OSS, communication of all ratings (with detail by judge) to the FISM BOARD at the end of the competition…

The FQC (FISM Qualified Contest) certification is only valid for one time and must be renewed each time with the presentation of the list of judges and commitment to respect the rules of the FQS.

The organizer will receive after communication of the scores and competition report a FQS label which he can use for the promotion of his future events. Four competitions in France obtained the certification in 2024: Le Championat de France FFAP, Laitres de la Magie competition in Coudekerque-Branche, L’Heritier de l’Illusion in Ablis, and for the first time, The Nostradamus d’Or.

It is important to know that a qualified contest (FQS) cannot in any case allow exemption from national qualification requirements for participation in FISM continental championships or FISM world championship (WCM).

MM: Do judges of other existing competitions in France and around the world have the same requirements? Do all competitions have the same value?

PD: This is a question that could draw the ire of some organizers, so I will remain very diplomatic in my response. It is obvious, without alienating the entire community, that not all competitions are equal.

This is not the goal of these competitions; some aim to enhance the organization or the venue or any other legitimate motivation. Many find in competitions a way to offer spectators a great show at a lower cost. Others might want to mix artistic domains by judging a magician against a juggler or a child singer… There are a thousand and one motivations for organizing a contest and, again diplomatically, respect for artists and the interest of participating for them are not always the main reason.

We all remember the trophy for best magician given by an American artist in exchange for a good pinch of bills and which allows him to be invited at the expense of the recipients in exchange for the statuette he made in his garage. In the field of entertainment where “all is for the Ego” is common, this multiplicity of golden bowls or statuettes more or less alloyed will always find its enthusiasts. A simple glance at the web pages of magicians reveals a multitude of Awards, each more prestigious than the others.

This does not mean that only FISM contests are of interest; certainly not, many organizers try and succeed in organizing very beautiful and interesting competitions. But the purpose of participating in a contest should primarily be to progress in one’s art, and for now, only the WCM offers an artist the recognition of their peers at an international level and a significant source of engagements. A FISM world champion has a good five years of international engagements and sometimes much more (galas, congresses, conference tours, invitations…). This is why the FQS were created to provide competitors with a way to evaluate their act and prepare for an international contest knowing on what basis they will be judged. It is true that compared to the allure of appearing on “Got Talent” promising immediate fame, a FQS may seem bland to an artist in search of celebrity, but for me, I will always prefer the recognition of my peers over the fleeting media triumph of an incredible talent, sometimes quite usurped.

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