Before entering please be sure to review the full entry criteria, which gives tips on how to submit your entry in each category.

If you are unsure about anything please call C21 on +44 (0) 20 7729 7460 and ask to speak to someone about entering the Format Awards.

The entry period is January 12 – February 27
The judging period is March 2 – March 27
The finalists will be announced on March 31
The awards will be presented at a gala dinner during MIPFormats on the evening of Saturday April 11 in Cannes.

Entry Criteria

The Awards are open to any show that first went to air during 2014 and is being marketed to the international community as a format.

Entrants must supply:
One clip or promo trailer of up to three minutes in length with all rights cleared for online screening.
A holding image of the show logo at 620 pixels wide by 348 pixels high.
A description outlining why the series should be considered in the appropriate category.

Full entry criteria by category

Best Brand Driven Format

More than just a bit of product placement or brand integration, this category is about Formats that owe their existence to a Brand or advertiser which has played a crucial part in the Format’s creation. The Format could be a Studio-Based Gameshow or Factual Entertainment chat show, but it was brought to television with the key input of a brand.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Competition Reality Format

Comp Reality takes in everything from Survivor to So You Think You Can Dance. At the core, there is a winner. Participants (celebrities or public) are playing to win. All modern talent shows are Comp Reality. Even though a lot of the competition takes place in a studio, nowadays, nearly all have out of studio elements not least of which is public voting.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Comedy Format

Comedy Format is for unscripted comedies, not sitcoms. These are comedy formats in studio or the field that might involve comedy sketches, improv, hidden camera, panels. They won’t be confused with actors in sitcoms but might be confused with quiz shows except, for comedies, the answers don’t matter. The laughs are the thing.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Factual Entertainment Format

In our awards Factual Entertainment has a broader definition than used in Britain where Factual and Factual Entertainment mean different things. For these awards, Factual Entertainment Formats are formats, shot in the field or in studios where there is not competition but rather the exploration of a slice of life either for elucidation or for entertainment. The topics could be life or death (Deadliest Catch) or lifestyle (cooking).
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Multi-platform Format

Format that at their core have some platform aside from television integral to the show’s narrative. A website, social network page or telephony that is merely a promotional vehicle for the show would not qualify. The other non TV platforms have to interact with the casting, narrative or outcome of the show to make it a significant multi-platform format.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Scripted Format

These are scripted shows (either comedy or drama) that have been formatted for territories outside their country of origin.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Studio Based Gameshow Format
Studio Based Gameshows can cover everything from serious quizzes to physical studio games to cooking and dating games. At the core, they must take place in a closed studio environment and some game must be played, almost always with competition and winners.
ENTRY NOTES
After submission you will be contacted for:
A clip of up to three minutes and holding image for the related entry.

Best Host of a Television Format
This award is designed to recognise talent in front of the camera and will be given to the person the judges feel have played a key role in enhancing a format by the sheer strength of personality, flair and unique approach to fronting a television format.

The International Formats Business Gold Award 2015

This award will be chosen by by the C21, EMC and FRAPA boards for outstanding contribution to the formats business.

For more information please contact C21:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7729 7460