Categories and Submission Requirements

This category honours outstanding writing of a magazine feature article that is more than 6000 words in length. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Long-Form Feature Writing: 6000+:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding writing of a magazine feature article that is between 3500 and 6000 words in length. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Long-Form Feature Writing:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding writing of a magazine feature article that is between 2000 and 3500 words in length. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Feature Writing:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding writing of a magazine feature article that is fewer than 2000 words in length. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Short Feature Writing:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding magazine writing in which the writer’s perspective is paramount and offers an argument or an intellectual point of view. An entry consists of one essay by a single writer. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Essays:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding magazine writing based on original fact-finding, enterprising news-gathering, and/or news reporting in any field or subject. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements:

• PDF* of each entry in its entirety;
• PDF of a background statement (maximum 500 words), providing context for the investigation and any details of the investigative process that may be relevant to the jury’s consideration.
• Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Investigative Reporting:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours a work of short fiction first published by the magazine. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online stories are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of stories from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Fiction:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, language use, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of narrative structure, including characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution;
• Overall impact, including the story’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the story’s potential to inspire, entertain, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding magazine writing that focuses on the personal experiences of the writer. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Personal Journalism:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours a work of poetry first published by the magazine. Entries may consist of a single poem or a series of up to three poems by the same author from a single issue. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online stories are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of poems from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Poetry:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, language use, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of structure, including whether the writer’s choices regarding form support the poem’s overall theme or message;
• Overall impact, including the poem’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the poem’s potential to inspire, entertain, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding magazine writing that focuses on one person or a group of people. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Profiles:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding magazine writing that is driven by practical or actionable information or instructional content in any field or subject. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Service Journalism:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours a writer whose early work in magazines shows the highest degree of craft and promise. This category is open to students and writers with a maximum three years experience in professional journalism, and who have never been nominated for a National Magazine Award, Digital Publishing Award, or National Magazine Award: B2B. There will be three finalists for this award. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements:

• PDF* of each entry in its entirety (must be a single feature story of at least 2000 words in length);
• PDFs of up to two (2) additional feature articles (for these additional articles, there are no word count requirements and submission is optional, but they must have been published between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025);
• PDF of a letter** from the candidate, attesting to their own eligibility for the award and providing context for the work submitted;
• Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*PDFs of articles from print magazines should be printable on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches or 215.9 by 279.4 mm). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5 inches from the page edge.

**The letter should include the year the candidate started working in journalism (including the year the candidate graduated from university or college, if applicable); the date the candidate’s first piece of 2000 words or more in length was published; the dates of publication of any other articles submitted; and a list of the candidate’s published pieces as of December 31, 2025.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Emerging Writer:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, or move readers.

This category honours outstanding illustration, single or series accompanying a single article, including cover, photo and spot illustration. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to any illustrations appearing in online articles are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Illustrations:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of illustrator’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the illustration to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the illustration’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the illustration’s potential to make readers want to read the article or magazine.

This category honours outstanding photography, single photograph or series, for a single article on one or more people. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to photography appearing in online articles are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Portrait Photography:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of photographer’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the photography to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the photography’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the photography’s potential to make readers want to read the article or magazine.

This category honours outstanding photography, single photograph or series, of a lifestyle or still-life subject including food, products, fashion, beauty, décor, homes and landscapes. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to photography appearing in online articles are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Portrait Photography:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of photographer’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the photography to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the photography’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the photography’s potential to make readers want to read the article or magazine.

This category honours outstanding photography, single photograph or series, shot on location, which records events or situations not controlled by the photographer. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to photography appearing in online articles are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Portrait Photography:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of photographer’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the photography to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the photography’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the photography’s potential to make readers want to read the article or magazine.

This category honours outstanding magazine storytelling whose content or style does not clearly fit the definition of any other category. Entries may consist of text, photographs, visual art, graphic narratives, comics, infographics, digital media, or any combination of elements serving a single story. The intent of this award is to recognize achievement in magazine storytelling that is distinctive, unusual, or not easily classified. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to online articles are optional, but welcome.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Service Journalism:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, structure, and the creator’s use of a creative approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation, and engaging subject matter;
• Overall impact, including the article’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the article’s potential to inspire, inform, entertain, or move readers.

This category honours an individual responsible for outstanding art direction of a single magazine article, reflecting the creative use of design and visual elements to enhance reader experience. Includes a cash prize of $1000.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links to any illustrations appearing in online articles are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Art Direction of a Single Article:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of art director’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the visual design to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the visual design’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the design’s potential to make readers want to read the article.

This category honours an outstanding collection of articles and content on a related theme, published in a single issue of a print or online magazine, which reflects collaboration by writers, editors, art directors, and/or visual creators. Elements may include—but are not limited to—annotations, illustrations, photography, sidebars, infographics and captions. Entries may consist of a series of related feature articles and content packaged together, or an entire special or thematic issue.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. Links are welcome, but optional.

*Double-page spreads accepted. If the package consists of a complete issue, please upload a PDF of the issue in its entirety. If the package consists of a specific portion of the issue, please only upload a PDF of that portion. For details on how to extract pages from a PDF, please refer to Adobe’s guide, available here.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Editorial Package:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material, and the freshness and originality of the visual design;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation of written material, and suitability of the visual design to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the package’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the package’s potential to inspire, inform, entertain, or move readers to action.

This category honours an individual responsible for the best art direction of an entire issue of a magazine.

Submission Requirements:

• Low- or medium-resolution PDF* of the entire issue to be judged;
• Art director’s headshot (JPG or PNG);
• (Optional) PDF of a background statement (maximum 250 words) providing context for the art direction.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria: Judges consider the following criteria in evaluating Art Director of the Year:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of art director’s approach to the material;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the visual design to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the visual design’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the design’s potential to make readers want to read the magazine.

This category honours an individual who is making an outstanding impact on a magazine as an editor. This category is open to editors-in-chief as well as senior-level editing staff who have demonstrated a high degree of excellence in their field. There will be a maximum of three finalists for this award.

Submission Requirements:

• High-resolution JPG or PNG image of the editor’s headshot;
• PDF* version of two (2) issues published in the past year;
• PDF of a letter of nomination on behalf of the candidate, which may come from a publisher, mentor, or other colleague, and which should provide biographical information as well as a summary of achievements over the past year;
• PDFs of up to two additional supporting letters of recommendation may be included.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: The questions listed below are provided to help the judges adjudicate the entries. However, judges are asked to evaluate and score each candidate based on the achievements and overall impact of the editor, and not based on each individual question.

• Has the editor helped the magazine provide to its audience superior content that challenges, educates, entertains, and helps define a community of readers?
• Have the editor’s achievements helped the magazine deliver quality editorial content to its readers across multiple platforms?
• Has the editor been successful in creating opportunities to reach and grow the magazine’s audience?
• Has the editor implemented innovative strategies or initiatives to produce engaging content and help the magazine fulfill its mandate?
• Has the editor helped to mentor writers & nurture emerging talents?
• What is the overall impact of the editor’s achievements on the magazine, its staff and its readers?

This category honours outstanding creation of a magazine cover, reflecting collaboration by editors, circulators and art directors to enhance reader experience.

Submission Requirements: PDF of the cover to be judged.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Cover:

• Quality of style and creativity, including the freshness and originality of the approach to the cover design;
• Quality of content, including the suitability of the visual design to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the cover’s ability to grab and hold the attention of intended readers and the cover’s potential to make readers want to read the magazine.

This category honours an outstanding single issue, which will be judged in terms of overall quality and originality of the content as well as its relevance to the intended readers.

Submission Requirements: PDF* of each entry in its entirety. PDF of a cover letter (maximum 400 words) providing context for the issue.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Issue:

• Quality of style and creativity, including writing style, narrative structure, and the writer’s use of a creative approach to the material, and the freshness and originality of the visual design;
• Quality of content, including originally sourced research, high-quality sources, balanced and thoughtful presentation of written material, and suitability of the visual design to the accompanying text;
• Overall impact, including the issues’s ability to hold the interest of intended readers and the issue’s potential to inspire, inform, entertain, or move readers to action.

This category honours the publisher whose brand best delivers on their editorial mandate through numerous platforms, which may include, in addition to a print or digital magazine: websites, special issues or other publications, mobile apps, social media platforms, television shows, podcasts, events, merchandising or any other initiatives or forms of audience engagement. There will be a maximum of three finalists for this award.

Submission Requirements:

• High-resolution JPG or PNG image of the editor’s headshot;
• PDF of the publication’s editorial mandate and the target audience;
• PDF of a list with embedded links of all the digital platforms, as well as a detailed description of the brand extensions, including any data that would demonstrate the success of the magazine’s initiatives;
• PDF* of one issue of the magazine published in 2024;
• To include supporting material (merchandise, special issues, books, etc.), please upload either a PDF or JPEG of the product.

*Double-page spreads accepted.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following criteria in their evaluations of the candidates for Publisher of the Year, keeping in mind the editorial mandate, target audience, and category definition noted above:

• Quality: How successfully does the publisher’s brand deliver quality content and design in its platforms, and what is the overall quality of its presentation of material to the jury?
• Innovation: How successfully is the publisher creating opportunities to reach and grow its audience?
• Impact: How successfully does the publisher engage with their intended audience, satisfy their needs, and provide a rewarding experience?
• Brand Awareness: To what extent has the publisher built an engaging, reliable, and trustworthy identity?

This category honours an outstanding branded content initiative created in partnership with a brand, agency, or client, where the magazine (or its content studio) played a role in concept, storytelling, and execution. The work should demonstrate creative storytelling, and alignment with the publication’s audience and design standards. 

Entries may include print, digital, video, audio, or mixed-format branded content that was developed collaboratively between the publication and a client or agency and released during the eligibility period. 

Submission Requirements: Upload one PDF containing the full branded content piece in its entirety. Links to online versions or related media are optional but welcome. Include a short statement describing the collaboration (roles of the magazine, editorial team, brand, and/or agency) and any available performance or engagement metrics.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following:

• Engagement & Collaboration Transparency (10 pts) – Evidence of audience response, brand results, or any other measurable business impacts, and clear disclosure of the collaboration’s structure and labelling.
• Storytelling Quality (10 pts) – Clarity, originality, and fit with the magazine’s audience.
• Creative & Production Execution (10 pts) – Design, writing, photography/video/audio, and overall presentation quality.

This category honours a multi-platform branded campaign developed by or with a magazine that spans at least two media channels (e.g., print and digital, video and social, newsletter and event) and demonstrates creative coherence, strong execution, and measurable brand or audience impact.

Campaigns must involve collaboration between the magazine (or its content studio) and a brand, client, or agency, and include at least two distinct channels within the magazine’s ecosystem (print, digital, video, audio, event, newsletter, social, etc.). Entries should include an overview of the strategy, channel mix, roles of each partner, and relevant results or engagement metrics.

Submission Requirements: Upload one PDF summarizing the campaign and showcasing creative materials across platforms. Include a concise statement outlining the campaign’s objectives, strategy, partner roles, and available performance data. Links to digital elements are optional but encouraged where relevant.

Judging Criteria Summary: Judges are advised to consider the following:

• Engagement & Collaboration Transparency (10 pts) – Evidence of audience response, brand results, or any other measurable business impacts, and clear disclosure of the collaboration’s structure and labelling.
• Concept & Strategic Cohesion (10 pts) – How clearly the idea connects across channels and leverages the magazine’s ecosystem.
• Creative & Production Execution (10 pts) – Quality and integration of each campaign component; overall design and storytelling strength.

This category honours the outstanding work of an individual or editorial team in creating original and engaging content via a regular email series that best serves its intended audience. Editorial elements may include but are not limited to text, audio, photographs, illustrations, infographics, and visual elements. Newsletters must be designed specifically for the email platform. They should feature original content and not simply a reproduction of the publication’s website.

This award recognizes email content which is editorial in nature. The newsletter can make use of reporting done for the publication’s other properties. Emails created for marketing or promotional purposes, or for the sole or main purpose of providing readers with links to the publication’s website content, should not be submitted for this category.

The quality of the content as well as the value to readers will be judged.

Submission Requirements: Submit a brief statement (max 500 words) that:

A) introduces the publication to the jury;
B) articulates the publication’s strategy for newsletters;
C) provides context for the development and deployment of the emails; and
D) comments on the impact of the newsletter.

Submit a URL to the main point of entry, and URLs to the three newsletters to be evaluated.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Editorial Newsletter:

• Overall quality of the content and the design elements, relevance of the theme;
• Successful integration of written visual, graphic-design, and other elements;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the publication’s newsletter series engage the intended audience?

This category rewards: Content Creator(s); Publisher(s); Editor(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

This category honours the podcast series that best serves its intended audience. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to: daily news, news commentary, politics and government, business, sports, and science and technology. The originality of the theme and the quality of production will be judged, as well as creative use of the podcasting or audio medium. Submissions must consist of three (3) episodes.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to three (3) specific episodes to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the overall quality of the audio content and production (including reporting, mixing and editing) as well as its impact on the intended audience.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Podcast:

• Overall quality of the audio production, including mixing and editing;
• Overall quality of the audio content, including reporting;
• Overall impact of the podcast: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the podcast should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the podcast series.

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the podcast series that best serves its intended audience. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to: entertainment, humour, books, design, fashion, food, performing arts, visual arts, film, TV, music, history, relationships, and health and fitness. The originality of the theme and the quality of production will be judged, as well as creative use of the podcasting or audio medium. Submissions must consist of three (3) episodes.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to three (3) specific episodes to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the overall quality of the audio content and production (including reporting, mixing and editing) as well as its impact on the intended audience.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Podcast:

• Overall quality of the audio production, including mixing and editing;
• Overall quality of the audio content, including reporting;
• Overall impact of the podcast: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the podcast should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the podcast series.

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the podcast series that excels in the true crime genre. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to: unsolved mysteries, historical crimes, ongoing criminal investigations, wrongful convictions, and forensic analysis. The originality of the theme and the quality of production will be judged, as well as the creative use of the podcasting or audio medium. Submissions must consist of three (3) episodes.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to three (3) specific episodes to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the overall quality of the audio content and production (including reporting, mixing and editing) as well as its impact on the intended audience.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Podcast:

• Overall quality of the audio production, including mixing and editing;
• Overall quality of the audio content, including reporting;
• Overall impact of the podcast: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the podcast should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the podcast series.

There is no cash prize with this award.

This category honours creative excellence in the production of a video by a digital publisher that is between four (4) and six (6) minutes in length. The video must have been produced for a digital platform. There is no cash prize with this award. *Videos that up to 6:30 minutes in length may be entered in this category OR in the Mini-doc category. However, the same video cannot be entered in both categories. Submitters must determine which category is best suited for the video submitted.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Online Video: Feature:

• Overall quality of video production, including videography and video editing;
• Overall quality of the video content, reporting;
• Overall impact of the video: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the video should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the video.

There is no cash prize with this award.

This category honours creative excellence in the production of a video by a digital publisher that is longer than six (6) minutes in length. The video must have been produced for a digital platform.

Submission Requirements: 
Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Judging Criteria: 
Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Online Video: Mini-Doc:

• Overall quality of video production, including videography and video editing;
• Overall quality of the video content, reporting;
• Overall impact of the video: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the video should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the video.

There is no cash prize with this award.

This category honours the best overall story dealing with issues or subjects of arts, culture or entertainment, including essays, reviews, reporting and/or literary journalism.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Arts & Culture Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the storytelling, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the story’s content; and
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

This category honours the best overall story dealing with issues or subjects of science or technology, including investigative reporting, analysis and/or profiles.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Science and Technology Storytelling:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This award includes a cash prize of $500.