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The International Drama Awards 2019

 


Awards Logo

Full entry criteria is available to download here

ALL SEASONS ENTERED MUST HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST BROADCAST BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER 2018 AND 30 SEPTEMBER 2019.
General entry procedures
-All entries, whether they have already aired or will air before 30 September must be entered by 6 September.
-Entries may be modified until 12 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 for submitting 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 the International Drama Summit 2019.

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

-One show trailer (up to 3 minutes long)
Output 620 x 348 pixels, mp4 or mov, h.264 codec.
We cannot accept wmv’s or zipped files.
Max file size 300MB*
All content is judged via password protected links. C21 will not publish this content online without your permission.
Clearly label file as SHOWNAME_CATEGORY_TRAILER.mp4/mov with no spaces or special characters.

-One full length episode
Output 620 x 348 pixels, mp4 or mov, h.264 codec.
We cannot accept wmv’s or zipped files.
Max file size 1GB*
All content is judged via password protected links. C21 will not publish this content online without your permission.
Clearly label file as SHOWNAME_CATEGORY_FULLEP.mp4/mov with no spaces or special characters.

-Show logo
620 x 348 pixels
jpg files only
Clearly label file as SHOWLOGO_CATEGORY_HEADSHOT.jpg

-Headshot of Best Actor (if applicable)
620 x 348 pixels
jpg files only
Clearly label file as ACTORNAME_CATEGORY_HEADSHOT.jpg

Entry fees
-The fee to enter C21’s International Drama Awards is £125 per show. For this price, the show may be entered into as many categories as it is eligible for.
-Payment of the entry fee will be requested as part of the online entry form. Payment can be received either online by card or by invoice.
-Entry fees must be received by September 30, 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 playlists.

Timeline
May 17 – Drama Awards open for entry
September 6 – Drama Awards entry close
September 27 – Entries are sent to judging panel
November 13 – Finalists announced on C21Media.net
December (exact date TBC) – Winners announced during ceremony at C21’s Content London conference.

Full entry criteria by category
Best digital short-form drama series
Sponsored by:

This category awards the best short-form drama series that has been made without traditional broadcast distribution. Entries must be for digital properties that are ‘genre defining’ in their class and created specifically for online video, mobile or social platforms. The judges will be looking for innovation, originality and/or interactivity.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, digital short-form dramas:
– the first episode of the entered season must have appeared on their respective platforms for the first time between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– episodes must be 20 minutes or less.
– 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 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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.

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 “season one”.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be eligible, returning dramas:
– must have aired the first episode of the nominated season for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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 dramas:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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 dramas:
– must have aired the first episode of the nominated season for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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 for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– can be English or non-English series. 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 between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– can be reprising a role from a previous series.
– can be English or non-English speaking. 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 between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– can be reprising a role from a previous series.
– 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 dramas:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019
– 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 dramas:
– must have aired for the very first time (in any territory) between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019

The following categories will be chosen by C21’s editorial team and cannot be entered.
Drama Quarterly craft/showrunner award
Sponsored by:

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

C21 editor’s choice award
This award is considered and made by the senior C21 editorial team to the person, show or initiative that it deems has made, in its opinion, the most significant contribution to the international drama business during the past year.