Check out the full list of award categories that can be entered. The eligibility period for all entries is June 2026 to 11 September 2026.
Early bird entry deadline 31 July 2026.
This category looks at 2D animation in all its forms. The work can be entirely animated or use animation to augment filmed footage.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
PLEASE NOTE: Animated Music Videos are not eligible for this category and should be submitted into the Music Video category.
This category looks at 3D animation in all its forms. The work can be entirely animated or use animation to augment filmed footage.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Animated Music Videos are not eligible for this category and should be submitted into the Music Video category.
This category looks at motion design in all its forms (Includes typographic animation, animated illustration, and motion graphics that use photoreal textures, lighting, and rendering). The work can be entirely animated or use animation to augment filmed footage.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Animated Music Videos are not eligible for this category and should be submitted into the Music Video category.
This category looks at stop-motion animation in all its forms. The work can be entirely animated or use animation to augment filmed footage.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Animated Music Videos are not eligible for this category and should be submitted into the Music Video category.
This category recognises the importance of finding the right performer or performers for the job. The actors that can’t be ignored. The cast that completes the picture.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible. There just must be a brand attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises exceptional writing at the core of a commercial.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category focuses on commercials that demonstrate exceptional craft for the benefit of charitable organizations or Public Service Announcements (PSA) .
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials up to and including 60-seconds, that demonstrate exceptional direction in commercial production. - with each element involved in its construction brought together to create a perfectly formed nugget of advertising gold.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials from 61-seconds to three minutes, that demonstrate exceptional direction in commercial production, with each element involved in its construction brought together to create a perfectly formed nugget of advertising gold.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials above three minutes, that demonstrate exceptional direction in commercial production.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials that showcase exceptional cinematography in commercials up to and including two minutes.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials that showcase exceptional cinematography in commercials above two minutes.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials and campaigns that have a truly brilliant idea at their core. The campaign can involve disparate elements (digital, OOH, print, experiential, etc), but there must be a filmic element up to and including two minutes long.
This element must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Case study films can be entered if they are accompanied by the full-length films.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Charity/PSA campaigns are not eligible for this category.
This category recognises commercials and campaigns that have a truly brilliant idea at their core. The campaign can involve disparate elements (digital, OOH, print, experiential, etc), but there must be a filmic element above two minutes long.
This element must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Case study films can be entered if they are accompanied by the full-length films.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: Charity/PSA campaigns are not eligible for this category.
This category recognises commercials up to and including 60-seconds that showcase the very best of editing.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials from 61-seconds to three minutes, that showcase the magic of editing.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises commercials, above three minutes that showcase the magic of editing.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible as long as a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category celebrates creativity, technical skill, and effectiveness of the production design in the commercial.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Entries into this category qualify for automatic free entry into the Styling category.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category celebrates the audio engineering and sound design that is integral to every successful campaign.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category celebrates the styling that create looks that align with a brand's message and the commercial's concept. It includes costume design and styling whose artistry and skills make productions look amazing.
The commercial must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
Entries into this category qualify for automatic free entry into the Production Design category.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises the role of music in bringing together a commercial. Only entries featuring licensed music are allowed in this subcategory.
Reworkings or re-recordings of an original composition can be entered in this category.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises the role of music in bringing together a commercial. Only entries featuring original compositions are allowed in this subcategory.
For licensed music, please submit them in the other category within Use of Music.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category recognises the use of visual effects to bring commercials to life.
The commercials must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category and long-form ‘branded entertainment’ pieces are eligible only if a brand is attached. For longer-form pieces, if there are certain sections you feel the judges should pay closer attention to, these can be included as an additional clip. VFX breakdowns can also be useful if you feel some artistry might be missed.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the spots; director cut versions are not permitted.
Non-English language entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category focuses on finding the best up-and-coming directorial talent from EMEA.
The individual should be based in the EMEA region and cannot have been working professionally as a DIRECTOR (i.e. creating branded work or music videos through a production company) before 1 January 2024.
Entries can include up to three pieces of relevant work and can include aired commercials, test spots, music videos and short films of no more than 10 minutes.
For aired work, all entries must be the final, aired version of the spots and the work must have originated in the EMEA region.
Work for this category includes anything aired between the dates of 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026.
Entries in this category may be in English or another language. Any non-English entries must include English subtitles for judging purposes.
This category looks at everyone’s favourite music videos. We are looking for music videos that break the mould and do something that’s not been done before.
The music video must have aired on TV, cinema or online.
There is no duration-cap for this category.
All entries must be the final, aired/brand-hosted version of the music video; director cut versions are not permitted.
| Early Bird Entry | Standard Entry | |
| 1 - 4 entries | £345 per entry | £375 per entry |
| 5+ entries | £310.50 per entry | £337.50 per entry |
You may enter as many categories as you like, however, each entry must be treated as a separate entry and payment made for each.
| Early bird Entry | Standard Entry | |
| Entry | £200 per entry | £240 per entry |
| Film School* | £80 per entry | £120 per entry |
The New Director Eligibility
Cannot have been working professionally within the industry (i.e. creating branded work or music videos through a production company) before January 2024 or work on anything created between 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026.
*Film school students should email shotsawards@extremereach.com to receive a dedicated entry code that will offer a discount.