2009 Program Categories
CHILDREN, FAMILY & YOUTH CATEGORIES (Fiction & Non Fiction)
Children's Programs (2+)** – television programs, fiction or non-fiction that are clearly intended to entertain or inform children whether it’s a comedy, a special, a series or other format. Animated programs ARE NOT accepted in this category and should be entered in the Animation category.
Youth Programs (13+)** – fiction or non-fiction television programs, intended for young people aged 13 years and older, with dynamic engaging content and a program style targeted to teens and young adults. Movies, series, documentaries, etc. are all eligible in this category. Animated programs ARE NOT accepted in this category and should be entered in the Animation category.
** Please enter animation programs in the Animation category (see Entertainment).
ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORIES
(a) Animation Programs - animation programs made for television, either as part of a series or as a one-off television special. Each episode is considered a single entry.
(b) Comedies - comedy programs featuring one or more characters in comic situations or predicaments. Situation comedies, comedy specials, and programs of satirical sketches are eligible. Each episode is considered a single entry.
(c) Lifestyle & Information Programs - lifestyle and information television programs both scripted and unscripted including food, garden, do-it-yourself, health, travel and style programs. Each episode is considered a single entry.
(d) Music or Variety Programs or Series – A single production or a continuing series of episodes, showcasing musical, comedic or performing guests or any mix of other talent generally considered ‘variety’ entertainment.
(e) Reality Format Programs - reality/format based television programs such as docusoaps, dating, law enforcement, makeover, docusoaps starring celebrities, hidden camera, reality game shows, spoofs, talent searches and competition-based reality formats. In the case of continuing reality series, please submit two non-consecutive episodes, one entry fee applies.
(f) Sports Entertainment Programs - a TV program of any genre (except documentary or animation) devoted to sports or using sports as the driving content, including series, games, reality shows, sports events coverage and extreme sports. Sports compilations are NOT accepted. Each episode is a single entry.
DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES
(a) Arts & Performing Arts Programs* - non-fiction (history or contemporary) programs and documentaries dealing with a performance (or performances) within any of the Arts disciplines or programs which analyze, explore or celebrate the arts including; music, dance, drama, painting, sculpting, photography and literature, etc. Judging criteria includes ‘innovative use of the television medium to convey the subject matter’.
(b) Environmental Programs* – non-fiction programs and documentaries which examine significant localized and/or global environmental themes and issues. Program content would typically range from educational to controversial, and inform, enlighten, raise awareness or concern.
(c) History & Biography Programs* - non-fiction programs which focus primarily on historical documentation and analysis, including biographies of significant persons, living or dead. NOTE: Depending on their perspective, biographies of politicians, scientists, and artists may be more suited to be entered in other relevant documentary categories.
(d) Investigative & Current Affairs Programs* – non-fiction programs or program segments broadcast in a regularly scheduled news magazine and information magazine or an extended self-contained segment of such programs. Eligible programs are characterized by the techniques of news analysis and reportage, including journalists on special assignment.
(e) Political Documentaries* – documentaries which deal in a direct and enlightening manner with recent or current significant political issues with a primary emphasis on such topics as political parties or movements, the military, political leaders, government and public policies, global relations and conflict, or political behavior and systems.
(f) Popular Science & Technology Programs* – non-fiction programs which have as their primary emphasis the examination and/or education of scientific issues, discoveries and exploration. Earth science, technological and medical advances are among those eligible in this category.
(g) Social & Humanitarian Documentaries* – documentaries which deal in a direct and enlightening manner with significant social and humanitarian subjects such as poverty, violence, justice, human rights, crime, discrimination, gender issues, family dynamics, etc., as well as social trends and ethics.
(h) Sports Documentaries - a television documentary, (History or Contemporary) in which main subject is clearly a sport, a sports event, a sports athlete biography or any subject directly related to sports. Sports compilations are NOT accepted.
(i) Wildlife & Natural History Programs* – non-fiction programs which have as their primary emphasis natural and wildlife phenomena. Examples include animals and animal behavior, plant life, naturalists, and the natural world.
*In the case of a continuing documentary series – please enter two episodes or 120 minutes (whichever is less); one entry fee applies. However, individual, self-contained (stand-alone) programs, even if within a documentary strand or anthology series, must be entered individually; a separate handling fee is required for each entry from the strand/anthology.
DRAMA CATEGORIES:
(a) Continuing Series & Serial Programs – includes television dramas and melodramas, usually half-hour or one-hour weekly episodes, or for serial programs, multiple episodes a week using recurring principal characters. One episode is considered an entry. Additional episodes are considered separate entries and additional entry fees apply.
(b) Made-for-TV-Movies – dramas with a total running time of not less than 70 minutes and not more than 120 minutes (without commercials) which tell a complete story in a single evening.
(c) Mini-Series – single story dramas with a total running time of more than 120 minutes (without commercials) presented over two and not more than ten episodes. A minimum of two episodes must be submitted however only one entry fee will apply.
(d) Telenovela – melodramatic serialized fiction programs typically having a minimum run of 100 episodes and a maximum between 200 and 300 running daily for three months minimum up to a year and having a clear beginning and end. Broadcast both in daytime and prime time slots and airing multiple episodes a week, typically four to six. This category recognize the Latin American origin of the Telenovela and will particularly look into the successful adaptations to different cultures around the Globe while keeping the original spirit of complicated Love Stories intact. Please submit two episodes – one entry fee applies.
INTERACTIVE CATEGORIES:
(a) Immersive Entertainment - interactive and cross-media Television Shows, Ad Campaigns, or Games that demonstrate excellence in the concept, creation and delivery of narrative based participatory content. Eligible programs will consist of a single story ensemble of segments that continues to develop over multiple media platforms. Entries will be viewed for the quality of the user experience, the effectiveness of leveraging multiple media platforms, how interactivity has enhanced the narrative and final results. Entrants must submit with their entry a demo of one to six minutes in length via online link or DVD that demonstrates the above criteria.
(b) Original Online Programs - a television-like program, or series of programs, created specifically for internet audiences. Eligible programs will demonstrate innovativeness, resonance with its audience, and a high level of viewership or audience engagement. Eligible programs have only been broadcast on the internet and have not been distributed, as is, via cable, satellite, or terrestrial systems. Programs may involve any budget range and can cross all genres. Entries will be viewed for the innovate use of the digital medium, their originality, and the final results of the work.
***Programs entered in these categories may also be entered in one of the traditional program categories described above, but entry fees are payable for each category entered. Entries in the interactive categories, in addition to the program itself, must include 15 minutes of supplementary material which demonstrates the interactive elements and highlighting how those elements enrich and enhance the viewing experience. DVD or CD ROM walkthroughs are good examples of supplementary materials, however a written syllabus and written walk-through are acceptable. All supplementary experience should include reference to what experience was intended for the viewer/user. Web addresses (URLs) should be provided in all cases where applicable.
