Award Categories
A look at the full list of categories and what judges will be looking for.
Please be sure to read through the relevant categories and their judging criteria to ensure you are entering the correct category. Be sure to check you meet these criteria to ensure your entry is eligible for submission.
Only student-made work will be eligible in the student categories (Further and Higher Education Animation, Narrative Film and Documentary Film).
Full List of Award Categories
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This category includes films that aim to educate either a wide-ranging audience or individuals with specific interests. It is open to content that hasn't been broadcast but has been made available to viewers or users through various alternative platforms, such as online distribution.
Submissions in this category can originate from museums, libraries, publishers, galleries, charities, or any other organisation or individual dedicated to creating educational productions.
Please note, educational films created by universities or colleges should be submitted to the separate category of "Educational Film (in-house)".The judges will assess films based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrating creativity and leaving a lasting impression.
- Tailoring the film effectively to its intended audience.
- Establishing strong educational connections.
- Exhibiting exceptional production values, incorporating innovative use of movement, composition, lighting, colour, music, and sound to enhance the narrative.
- Showcasing originality in terms of form, execution, or subject matter.
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This category is specifically designated for educational films created by universities, colleges, or school sixth forms that target either a broad audience or individuals with specific interests. It is open to content that hasn't been broadcast but has been made available to viewers or users through various alternative delivery platforms.
The judges will assess films based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrating creativity and leaving a lasting impression.
- Tailoring the film effectively to its intended audience.
- Establishing strong educational connections.
- Exhibiting exceptional production values, incorporating innovative use of movement, composition, lighting, colour, music, and sound to enhance the narrative.
- Showcasing originality in terms of form, execution, or subject matter.
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This category welcomes any online educational resource that incorporates a moving image component. Examples of eligible delivery platforms include interactive websites, internet resources, games, apps, or other handheld device resources that integrate moving image content.
Submissions in this category can originate from organisations (such as universities, colleges, charities, museums, libraries, galleries) or individuals alike.
Judges will be looking for resources which:
- Are well-designed and user-friendly.
- Easy to navigate with well-organised and structured content.
- Are creative and memorable.
- Contain moving image content which displays excellent technical film-making ability and makes considered and appropriate use of the medium of film to enhance the resource.
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This category focuses on video essays that prominently feature archive materials, such as film, sound, and photographs. Video essays made on any topic are accepted in this category.
Submissions in this category can originate from both individuals and organisations (such as universities, colleges, charities, museums, libraries, galleries).
Judges will be looking for video essays which:
- Include innovative and creative use of archive material.
- Feature employment of rare or unusual archive material
- Demonstrate intelligent, sensitive, and lawful use of archive material.
- Broaden or deepen understanding of the subject.
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This category specifically targets animated films created by students at any stage of their further education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced during the filmmaker's time as a student at an educational institution. To be eligible, the films must consist of original animation that constitutes at least 70% of the film's duration.
The judging criteria for this category will asses the films based on quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence. Judges are looking for films which:
- Demonstrate strong understanding and execution of animation principles.
- Are well-paced and structured to deliver powerful storytelling.
- Display outstanding production values, with creative use of movement, composition, colour, music, and sound to strengthen narrative.
- Show originality of form, execution, or subject matter
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This category is exclusively for animated films created by students at any phase of their higher education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced while the filmmaker was enrolled as a student at an educational institution. To be eligible, the films must feature original animation that comprises at least 70% of the film's duration.
The judging criteria for this category will asses the films based on quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence. Judges are looking for films which:
- Demonstrate strong understanding and execution of animation principles.
- Are well-paced and structured to deliver powerful storytelling.
- Display outstanding production values, with creative use of movement, composition, colour, music, and sound to strengthen narrative.
- Show originality of form, execution, or subject matter
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This category is dedicated to narrative films created by students at any point during their further education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced while the filmmaker was enrolled as a student at an educational institution. The category accepts narrative films of any genre, while documentaries should be submitted to a separate category.
The judging criteria for this category will asses the films based on quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence. Judges are looking for films which:
- Are well-paced and structured to deliver powerful storytelling.
- Display outstanding production values, with creative use of movement, composition, colour, music, and sound to strengthen narrative.
- Show originality of form, execution, or subject matter
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This category specifically focuses on narrative films created by students at any stage of their higher education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced while the filmmaker was enrolled as a student at an educational institution. The category welcomes narrative films of any genre, while documentaries should be entered into a separate category.
The judging criteria for this category will asses the films based on quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence. Judges are looking for films which:
- Are well-paced and structured to deliver powerful storytelling.
- Display outstanding production values, with creative use of movement, composition, colour, music, and sound to strengthen narrative.
- Show originality of form, execution, or subject matter
Sponsor
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This category is dedicated to documentary films created by students at any phase of their further education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced while the filmmaker was enrolled as a student at an educational institution.
The judges will be seeking films that possess the following qualities:
- Demonstrate a balanced and impartial approach to the topic.
- Approach the topic in a creative or imaginative manner.
- Provide thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of the subject matter.
- Exhibit well-paced and structured storytelling to deliver a powerful narrative.
- Showcase excellent technical filmmaking skills and making thoughtful and appropriate use of the medium of film to effectively convey or enhance the story.
- Display outstanding production values, incorporating creative use of movement, composition, lighting, colour, music, and sound to strengthen the narrative.
Sponsor
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This category specifically focuses on documentary films created by students at any stage of their higher education courses, including recent graduates. The films must have been produced while the filmmaker was a student of an educational institution.
The judges will be seeking films that possess the following qualities:
- Demonstrate a balanced and impartial approach to the topic.
- Approach the topic in a creative or imaginative manner.
- Provide thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of the subject matter.
- Exhibit well-paced and structured storytelling to deliver a powerful narrative.
- Showcase excellent technical filmmaking skills and making thoughtful and appropriate use of the medium of film to effectively convey or enhance the story.
- Display outstanding production values, incorporating creative use of movement, composition, lighting, colour, music, and sound to strengthen the narrative.
Other Awards
Premier and Special Jury Prize
With permission from Ifan’s family, the Special Jury Prize would be renamed to dedicate it to Ifan Holweger and award this prize for stand-out student films across all categories.
Dedicate the Premier Award to our former chair and trustee, Sean Thornton to recognise an outstanding film across all other categories.
Applications are made via Zealous, internally shortlisted, and voted on by our members. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Nominations can be made on behalf of someone else or self-nominated.