2021 AWARDS CEREMONY TO INCLUDE 21 NEW CATEGORIES IN TELEVISION + STREAMING, RECORDING AND MOTION PICTURE
CHANGES TO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC;
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS CLOSE ON DECEMBER 18TH
LOS ANGELES (November 18, 2020) – Today the NAACP announced 21 new submission categories, along with changes to submission guidelines for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards. Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, the NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts and those who promote social justice through their creative work.
Entries can be submitted now through Friday, December 18th at www.naacpimageawards.net in the categories of motion picture, television + streaming, recording, and literature. New submission categories include:
- Television + Streaming: Outstanding Animated Series; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television); Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama; Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction; and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
- Recording: Outstanding International Song; Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental Outstanding Jazz Album–Vocal; Outstanding Soul/R&B Song; Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song; Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional); Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary); and Outstanding Producer of the Year
- Motion Picture: Outstanding International Motion Picture; Outstanding Animated Motion Picture; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture); Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action); Outstanding Short-Form (Animated); and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the entertainment industry, the NAACP Image Awards has also made several rules and guideline changes to ensure that the process has taken into account current conditions. The eligibility period for all projects is January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.
The performance or project cannot be used from a previously released project that would have qualified in a previous year (i.e. a rebroadcast performance, a performance in a released film being rebroadcast, or a remix of a song or album from a previous year or reprint of a released book). Legacy projects that are rebroadcasted or rereleased do not qualify. Additional submission requirements are included below.
FOR APPROVAL “While we are living in unprecedented times, we are excited to continue the rich tradition of recognizing the excellence and achievement of people of color in the arts,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Uplifting and celebrating diverse content, narratives and representation have the power to shape perceptions and change communities—which is needed now more than ever.”
Following are key calendar dates for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards:
Friday, December 18 – Online submissions closes
Monday, December 28 – Nominating committee voting begins
Friday, January 15 – Nominating committee voting closes
Wednesday, January 20 – Nominations announced and online voting opens
Friday, February 5 – Online voting closes
Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others) and NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners and others.
The 52nd NAACP Image Awards will be nationally telecast live in February.
For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.
Instagram: @naacpimageawards |Twitter: @naacpimageaward | Facebook: /naacpimageaward
###
NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.
NAACP Image Awards Media Contacts:
Sunshine Sachs | NAACPImageAwards@sunshinesachs.com
Marc Banks | dbanks@naacpnet.org
NEW SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Television + Streaming
Outstanding Animated Series
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Recording
Outstanding International Song
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental
Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Outstanding Producer of the Year
Motion Picture
Outstanding International Motion Picture
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD AND REQUIREMENTS
Additional requirements per category are as follows:
MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES
A film is considered a feature if it is 70 minutes or more in length and short form if it is under 40 minutes in length and that includes credits.
Motion Pictures that receive their first public exhibition or distribution in any manner other than as a theatrical motion picture release will not be eligible. This includes Broadcast or Cable, DVD and Internet transmissions. A short form film must have a paid theatrical release prior to a nontheatrical distribution or an official jury screening at a recognized film festival and be a final version of the film.
Projects are defined as a Theater Release which was an actual in theater release or a non-theater release which is a theatrical release that due to COVID theater closures was delivered via a digital platform.
Theater Release
Projects that were distributed to theaters prior to the pandemic closures (and individual achievements within it) must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S. and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco or Miami for seven (7) consecutive days.
Non-Theater Release (Digital Platform)
Projects (and individual achievements within it) released after March 16, 2020, based on the closure of movie theaters and the change of release options, that had a previously planned theatrical release, but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include feature length and short-form projects. Film has to meet all other requirements.
TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES
Projects (and individual achievements within it) must either be considered a television or + streaming category. Television is any content produced for broadcast via public airways, cable, and satellite television. It typically has advertisements and breaks during the show. The + Streaming categories is described as an online provider of entertainment that delivers its content via an internet connection to the subscriber. This includes cable and broadcast-based app, subscription-based video streaming and video-on-demand services.
Additional eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. An entry in drama and comedy will apply to a series and not a specific episode. A series is a minimum of six (6) episodes, with a ½ hour or 1-hour format. If your production was impacted by COVID-19, you have to contact the coordinator for instructions to validate your project.
A Short Form Project must have an average episode running time of 3 minutes to 17 minutes. A minimum of six episodes must air within the current eligibility year to qualify as a short-form series. Content must be original. All other rules apply.
RECORDING CATEGORIES
Projects must have been released/debuted and had general distribution nationally within the eligibility period. Recordings must be available to the public as stand-alone, audio-only purchases or streams and a new recording. You must provide screening copies for the nominating committee on our secured server.
LITERARY CATEGORIES
Projects must have been released/debuted and distributed nationally. All literary submissions must provide an ISBN. Physical copies or e-books must be made available for the nominating committee, and will have a designated period to be shipped to the office. You must provide shipping information along with delivery confirmation. Lack of product within the designated period will constitute a disqualification. Shipping instructions for physical books will be provided upon a completed submission.
DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES (MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION)
Motion Picture projects must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles or New York for seven (7) consecutive days. Television projects must have had an original broadcast or cable airdate in the U.S.
Documentary Motion Picture – Non-Theater Release (Digital Platform)
Projects released after March 16, 2020, based on the closure of movie theaters and the change of release options that had a previously planned theatrical release but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include Documentary projects. Project has to meet all other requirements and a screening copy must be provided for the nominating committee on our secured server or via a third-party platform.
WRITING AND DIRECTING CATEGORIES
Writing and Directing Categories will follow the rules of Television and Motion Picture. Additionally, you must provide screening copies for the nominating committee on our secured server or via a third-party platform.
Motion Picture Theater Release
Projects that were distributed to theaters prior to the pandemic closures (and individual achievements within it) must have been initially released and distributed in the U.S. and had a minimum commercial theatrical run in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco or Miami for seven (7) consecutive days.
Motion Picture Non-Theater Release
Projects (and individual achievements within it) released after March 16, 2020, based on closure of movie theaters and the change of release options, that had a previously planned theatrical release, but were initially made available through commercial streaming, video-on-demand service or other broadcast may qualify for awards consideration, this will include feature length and short-form projects. Film has to meet all other requirements and be shown to our nominating committee.
###
Recent Comments