The International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM; French: Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) is an international federation of magic organizations. Founded in 1948, it brings together clubs and societies devoted to the art of magic. According to FISM, it comprises 114 societies representing more than 80,000 magicians from 51 countries. It organizes the World Championship of Magic, generally held every three years, and supervises the Continental Championships of Magic.
History
The idea of organizing international magic congresses was proposed by Jules Dhotel in 1937. A congress planned for Paris in 1939 was cancelled following the outbreak of World War II. After international gatherings in Amsterdam in 1946 and Paris in 1947, representatives of magic societies met in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1948 to establish FISM.
The first FISM World Congress was held in Lausanne in 1948. The early congresses were held annually; following the 1952 congress in Geneva, they were generally held every three years.
Dutch magician Fred Kaps is the only magician to have won the FISM Grand Prix three times, winning in 1950, 1955 and 1961.
Aims and organization
FISM's stated aims include promoting and developing magic as an art form, fostering cooperation among its member societies, preserving knowledge of the history of magic, and opposing the unauthorized exposure and copying of magic acts, effects, inventions and original routines.
The General Assembly is FISM's highest governing authority and consists of a representative from each member society and the presidents of the Continental Divisions. Member societies are organized into six continental divisions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
World Championship of Magic
The World Championship of Magic is held as part of FISM's world congresses. Competitions comprise stage and close-up disciplines, with prizes awarded in individual categories and Grand Prix awards.
At the 2025 championship in Turin, Italy, Francesco Della Bona received the Stage Grand Prix and Ibuki received the Close-up Grand Prix. The next World Championship of Magic is scheduled to take place in Busan, South Korea, from 9 to 14 July 2028.
World congresses and winners The following table lists the World Championships and the first-, second- and third-place finishers, ties and special awards recorded by FISM. Category names reflect the terminology used by FISM for each edition.