Entry Deadline is Closed
FINALISTST ANNOUNCED: August 1
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: September 27
Projects must have been completed (but need not have aired) between June 2, 2016 and June 1, 2018 and may enter multiple categories. Preliminary judging is thorough, with entries screened in their entirety by a minimum of 3-5 judges in multiple rounds. Finalists will be announced in early August, with winners announced at a gala awards celebration in Boston during SMASH18.
2018 CATEGORIES
SCIENCE CONTENT CATEGORIES
By their very nature, many scientific disciplines are interdependent. We recognize that a single science program may incorporate more than one branch of knowledge or study, and multiple competition categories may be entered when this is the case. Please read the category descriptions carefully
By their very nature, many scientific disciplines are interdependent. We recognize that a single science program may incorporate more than one branch of knowledge or study, and multiple competition categories may be entered when this is the case. Please read the category descriptions carefully
Earth & Sky
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Awarded to the film that best explores the science of planet earth and the cosmos beyond. Relevant disciplines include Geology, Paleontology, Oceanography, Astronomy and Meteorology.
Science of Life
Sponsored by: HHMI / Tangled Bank Studios
Awarded to the film that best examines the rich world of life on our planet. Relevant disciplines include Botany, Zoology, Genetics, and Evolution.
Sponsored by: HHMI / Tangled Bank Studios
Awarded to the film that best examines the rich world of life on our planet. Relevant disciplines include Botany, Zoology, Genetics, and Evolution.
Changing Planet
Sponsored by: Off The Fence
This award is given for the best examination of our changing planet, including the environment, ecosystems, sustainability and climate change.
Sponsored by: Off The Fence
This award is given for the best examination of our changing planet, including the environment, ecosystems, sustainability and climate change.
Health & Medicine
Awarded to the project that best captures insights into human health, disease and treatment. Includes Clinical Science, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Research and Public Health.
Awarded to the project that best captures insights into human health, disease and treatment. Includes Clinical Science, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Stem Cell Research and Public Health.
Technology & Innovation
Recognizing the project that most effectively examines innovation and technology in the realm of Robotics, Computer & IT, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical and Systems Engineering.
Recognizing the project that most effectively examines innovation and technology in the realm of Robotics, Computer & IT, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical and Systems Engineering.
Being Human
Awarded for excellence in examination of human and social sciences, including Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, and History of Science.
Awarded for excellence in examination of human and social sciences, including Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, and History of Science.
PROGRAM CATEGORIES
Programs are judged on the basis of their artistic and storytelling excellence, scientific accuracy and technical achievements, and their ability to communicate often-complex science to public audiences.
Programs are judged on the basis of their artistic and storytelling excellence, scientific accuracy and technical achievements, and their ability to communicate often-complex science to public audiences.
Short-form Series (under 20 minutes)
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles. Entries will submit three episodes that best represent the series. Individual episodes (not the entire series) may be entered for consideration in other competition categories.
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles. Entries will submit three episodes that best represent the series. Individual episodes (not the entire series) may be entered for consideration in other competition categories.
Long-form Series (longer than 20 minutes)
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles. Entries will submit three episodes that best represent the series. Individual episodes (not the entire series) may be entered for consideration in other competition categories.
Awarded to the thematically unified mini-series or ongoing multi-season series that most effectively communicates science themes and scientific principles. Entries will submit three episodes that best represent the series. Individual episodes (not the entire series) may be entered for consideration in other competition categories.
Short Program
Awarded to the short program, twenty minutes or less in length, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
Awarded to the short program, twenty minutes or less in length, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
Micro-Movie (under 5 minutes)
Awarded to the program, 5 minutes in length or less, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
Awarded to the program, 5 minutes in length or less, that best communicates a scientific subject to a general audience.
Virtual Reality/360° Storytelling
sponsored by: University of Southern California--Jaunt Cinematic Virtual Reality Lab
Awarded to the program that most effectively uses 360 technology and resources to advance an appreciation or understanding of a scientific discipline, discovery or principle, including both VR and AR programs. Finalists and award winners will be selected entirely by peer judges organized by who view entries in their native formats. There are special entry requirements for this category.
sponsored by: University of Southern California--Jaunt Cinematic Virtual Reality Lab
Awarded to the program that most effectively uses 360 technology and resources to advance an appreciation or understanding of a scientific discipline, discovery or principle, including both VR and AR programs. Finalists and award winners will be selected entirely by peer judges organized by who view entries in their native formats. There are special entry requirements for this category.
Interactive
Awarded to the project that best integrates the interactive potential of media to advance understanding of science and scientific principles through web-based, mobile, downloaded and personal media technology. This category includes apps, games, websites, interactive stories, articles, databases, all similar digital media, interactive exhibits or media installations. There are special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded to the project that best integrates the interactive potential of media to advance understanding of science and scientific principles through web-based, mobile, downloaded and personal media technology. This category includes apps, games, websites, interactive stories, articles, databases, all similar digital media, interactive exhibits or media installations. There are special entry requirements for this category.
Science Journalism
Awarded to the film that most effectively conveys a complicated scientific story, issue or process for a general audience.
Awarded to the film that most effectively conveys a complicated scientific story, issue or process for a general audience.
Science Ambassador
Awarded to the program that brings science and scientific discovery to life through the exceptional communication skills of an on screen presenter or featured scientist.
Awarded to the program that brings science and scientific discovery to life through the exceptional communication skills of an on screen presenter or featured scientist.
Engaging Young Scientists
Awarded to the project that most effectively communicates science and engages audiences aged 6 - 12. Preliminary judging will include middle and high school student panels.
Awarded to the project that most effectively communicates science and engages audiences aged 6 - 12. Preliminary judging will include middle and high school student panels.
Student and Emerging Science Filmmaker
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Awarded to the best science program of any length created by someone currently enrolled or out of school less than two years. A copy of the applicant’s most recent student ID will be required.
Sponsored by: Nat Geo WILD
Awarded to the best science program of any length created by someone currently enrolled or out of school less than two years. A copy of the applicant’s most recent student ID will be required.
Audible Science: Radio & Podcast
Awarded to the best science story or program created for distribution via radio, Internet or mobile device. Entries will submit 3 episodes that best represent the program.
There are special entry requirements for this category.
Awarded to the best science story or program created for distribution via radio, Internet or mobile device. Entries will submit 3 episodes that best represent the program.
There are special entry requirements for this category.
PEER-JUDGED CRAFT CATEGORIES
Peer judges will select the finalists and award winners in these categories
Peer judges will select the finalists and award winners in these categories
Writing
Awarded for the writing that most enhances a science program through the union of storyline, dialog and narration. A word document or PDF of the script (in English) must be submitted in addition to the standard submission requirements.
Awarded for the writing that most enhances a science program through the union of storyline, dialog and narration. A word document or PDF of the script (in English) must be submitted in addition to the standard submission requirements.
Editing
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the science program through the union of imagery, sound, music and story.
Awarded for the editing that most enhances the science program through the union of imagery, sound, music and story.
Visualization
Awarded for excellence in cinematography, computer generated imaging, modeling and other visual storytelling that most enhances science storytelling.
Awarded for excellence in cinematography, computer generated imaging, modeling and other visual storytelling that most enhances science storytelling.
The Grand Helix Award
This award goes to the single film or media project that best exemplifies excellence in the art of inspired scientific storytelling. Each film entered into competition will be considered for this prestigious recognition.
This award goes to the single film or media project that best exemplifies excellence in the art of inspired scientific storytelling. Each film entered into competition will be considered for this prestigious recognition.