ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST BROADCAST BETWEEN 1 SEPTEMBER 2022 AND 30 SEPTEMBER 2023.

General entry procedures

-All entries, whether they have already aired or will air before 30 September must be entered by 25 September.
-Entries may be modified until 25 September, no modifications will be accepted after this time.
-Entries will be accepted from producers or distributors of a show. It is the entrant’s responsibility to submit the correct listings for each show.
-Ineligible entries can be disqualified at any stage of the competition without refund. Please check criteria thoroughly before entering.
-Any trailers and show images obtained by C21 as supporting materials may be used on C21Screenings, should the show become a finalist.
-Finalists are entitled to 2 complimentary tickets to the Drama Awards ceremony only. The awards are open to all delegates for Content London 2023.
– If requested, it is compulsory for a representative of each Nominee to be at the awards ceremony (which is held on 30 November 2023, during Content London).

Supporting materials
To complete your entry, we require the following supporting materials:

-Production/Distribution/Channel/TX date details
-A short show pitch
-Show synopsis
-One show trailer (up to 3 minutes long) – 16:9, landscape, mov or mp4, 1GB max file size
-One full length episode – 16:9, landscape, mov or mp4, 1.5GB max file size
-Show logo (landscape) – any size, png or jpg, 5MB max file size
-Headshot of Best Performer (if applicable) – any size, png or jpg, 5MB max file size

Submitted content may be published on C21Media.net as part of its coverage of the global content business.

Entry fees
-The fee to enter C21’s International Drama Awards is £145 per entry. If you enter a second show the fee for this will be £105, entry three onwards will be priced at £65.
-Payment of the entry fee will be requested as part of the online entry process. We ask that payment is made by card.
-Entry fees must be received by September 25, entries left without payment will be discarded.
-We cannot offer refunds for incorrect submissions. Please read entry criteria thoroughly before submitting.
-The International Drama Awards are voted for by a panel of international drama buyers and distributors.
-The judges review submissions remotely via password protected AwardForce accounts.

Timeline
July 11 – Entries open
September 25 – Entry period closes
October 16 – October 30 – Entries are sent to judging panel
November 3 – Finalists announced on C21Media.net
November 30 – Winners announced during ceremony at C21’s Content London conference.

Full entry criteria by category

Best newform drama series
From shortform drama and fast-turnaround dramas, going from YouTube, mobile and internet-delivered dramas, to dramas using new and innovative ways to film, this category awards the best non-traditional series. Entries may be unique in their creative process, duration or delivery platform, but all must present new and exciting ways to create and deliver drama. Judges will be looking for innovation and originality.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, newform dramas:
– must have aired its first episode of the entered season for the first time between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best TV movie
This category will award the best TV movie, defined as a single feature length production shown in one part. The judges will look for genre defining production and excellence across all areas of casting, story and production. The judges will also take account of the potential for success in the international market.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, TV movies:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– TV movies will have been made for traditional or non-traditional broadcast (movies made for VoD services, for example, would be accepted).
– TV movies by our definition are not, and have never been shown in theatres.
– are defined as a 1-part broadcast with a complete, original story.
– can include single films which form part of an anthology series. The individual episode most stand-alone in narrative, with none of the same characters featured in subsequent episodes.

Best mini-series
The category will award the best mini-series, defined as a short run drama of 6 or less parts. The judges will look for genre defining production and excellence across all areas of casting, story, production. The judges will also take account of the potential for success in the international market.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, mini-series:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– must consist of 6 episodes or less.
– should tell a complete story, and not be intended to return.
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
– If you have entered the category mini-series you can not enter the same show into the English language drama.

Best returning drama series
This category will award the best new season iteration of an existing drama series. This can include any series of an ongoing drama that is not “series one”.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, returning drama’s:
– must have aired the first episode of the nominated season for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be any iteration of a drama from season 2 onwards
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best comedy drama series

This category will award the show which best uses comedy to drive its dramatic plot, either to punctuate certain scenes or provide some brief comic relief. We’re not looking for sitcoms, but instead dramas with a compelling story, which are amusing or satirical in their tone. It must demonstrate great storytelling, casting, character, screenplay, direction and production while also making us laugh. The judges will pay particular attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, comedy drama’s:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best returning comedy drama series

This category will award the series which is the best new season iteration of an existing comedy drama. This category will award the show which best uses comedy to drive its dramatic plot, either to punctuate certain scenes or provide some brief comic relief. We’re not looking for sitcoms, but instead dramas with a compelling story, which are amusing or satirical in their tone. It must demonstrate great storytelling, casting, character, screenplay, direction and production while also making us laugh. The judges will pay particular attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, returning comedy drama’s:
– must have aired the most recent season for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best casting of a drama series
This category awards the best overall casting in a drama series. The judges will look for the most rounded, inspirational casting which brings variety and depth to the production. Attention will be paid to both lead actors and supporting cast and to how the drama series uses casting to enhance the story and bring additional depth. Additional weight will be given to casting that enables a drama series to work across territories and create buzz across different international markets.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, casting entries:
– must have aired episode one of a season between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English series. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best individual performance in a comedy-drama series
This award will be given for a definitive performance in a comedy-drama series by an individual, and one that is recognised internationally by comedy-drama buyers from channels worldwide. This person will be recognised as making the most significant performance and creating a buzz in the global comedy-drama business that resonates worldwide.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, individual performance entries:
– must be in a season which aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English speaking. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best individual performance in a drama series

This award will be given for a definitive performance in a dramatic series by an individual, and one that is recognised internationally by drama buyers from channels worldwide. This person will be recognised as making the most significant performance and creating a buzz in the global business that resonates worldwide.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, individual performance entries:
– must be in a season which aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– can be English or non-English speaking. All non-English materials submitted must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best non-English language drama (series)
This category will award the best drama series produced in a language other than English which displays the most ‘genre defining’ project in its class. It must demonstrate the most compelling story, casting, character, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music and production. The judges will pay close attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, non-English drama’s:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– Must submit all materials subtitled or dubbed in English.

Best English language drama (series)

This category awards the English language drama series which displays the most ‘genre defining’ project in its class. It must demonstrate the most compelling story, casting, character, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music and production. The judges will pay close attention to series that have enjoyed unrivalled critical and ratings success in their home territory and at television markets and festivals around the world.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, English drama’s:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 September 2022 and 30 September 2023.
– If you have entered the category English language drama you can not enter the same show into the mini-series.

The following category will be chosen by C21’s editorial team and cannot be entered.

Drama Quarterly craft award
To be chosen in house by the editor of Drama Quarterly.