This category is for films of all genres (including musicals) whose main intent is humorous and comedic, which is to make the audience laugh. This category is for feature films that have premiered and screened theatrically.

This category is for documentary films, theatrical and non-theatrical, that are a singular program and not part of a series.

This category is for animated feature-length films.

This category is for Long-Form television programs such as: movies (made for television or digital streaming) with a running time of more than 60 minutes.

This category is for serialized documentaries, consisting of two or more episodes, based on an event, historical or current, not created for the sole purpose of the show’s creation.  In other words, the creation of the show followed the event. Disqualifications for entry: meeting Reality Series parameters. Please do not submit reality TV programs in this category.

This category is for animated series that have premiered on television or which are digitally streamed.

This category recognizes two types of productions:

• Segments/packages from live, line-cut shows (like those shot during a live broadcast).

• Complete shows edited from isolated camera feeds.

This includes a wide range of content, such as late-night shows, filmed plays or concerts, variety shows, sketch series, and news specials. For a live, line-cut show, all segments/packages within the submitted episode will be considered in a single submission. Individual segments/packages are not eligible.

This is a category for television or digitally streamed episodes of a multi-camera series.

This category is for television or digitally streamed episodes of any comedy series.

This category is for television or digitally streamed episodes of any dramatic series.

This category is for single episodes of miniseries (of any running time) that are part of a self-contained, limited-run. “Self-contained” is a limited show that has as clear beginning, middle and end of the story (ie: plays like a movie told over a limited number of episodes and is not serialized). A “limited run” is a miniseries that is not in its second season or more. Please only submit one episode per entry.

This category is for series based on a premise conceived for the sole purpose of the show’s creation.  In other words, the show was created for the event to happen.

Short Submission Guidelines & Qualifications

Accepted Types: Narrative, documentary, animation

A short film may qualify through one of the following:

• Film Festival Screening: The film must have been officially selected and screened, at a U.S. film festival with a formal selection process, during the qualifying period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025.
• Television, Streaming, or Theatrical Run: Must have aired or premiered on TV, appeared on a streaming platform, or had a theatrical run during 2025.
• Online Release:  Original content posted for the first time during the qualifying period on a verified or established channel (e.g., 100,000+ subscribers or recognized audience). Accepted platforms include reputable YouTube/Vimeo channels or an official curated Short Film Platform (for example, Short of the Week, Film Riot, or New Yorker Shorts). Personal or private accounts are not eligible.

Note: A film may submit only once. Films initially screened at a festival cannot submit a second time via a streaming platform in a different qualifying period.