2023 ASSG AWARDS ENTRY GUIDELINES

The ASSG award for Best Commercial or Promo submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single commercial or promo. Only ONE advert from a campaign can be entered.

For this category, a Commercial or Promo is considered to be video content that advertises a product or service. This does not include trailers or other promotional content where other people’s work is being “remixed”.

Entries must have premiered (first televised) within the awards cut-off dates. This can be via traditional broadcast, or streaming (incl Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, etc.).

Examples include: “POC – Ventral Spin”, “Metro Trains – Dumb Ways To Die”, “Carlton Draught – Big Ad”.

Nominated titles will be judged in their entirety for award consideration.

A H264 with Stereo full mix ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. If a surround or atmos restriped version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out. If there was no one doing one of these roles, please state as much.

Less than 5 minutes

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Short Form must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for Short Form content.

Short Form content includes Short Film, Web Series, and Social Media Reels (such as Instagram Stories or TikTok). They can be Animated, Live-Action, Fiction, or Documentaries. For Webseries, only ONE episode from a season or the full series as one cut with no credits in between (if totally under 25 minutes) can be entered. This category does not include short episodes of television or one-off specials (ie TV half hour).

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. This can be via traditional broadcast, public screenings (does not include cast & crew screenings,) online (such as Youtube, TikTok, Instragram Reels), or festival release.

Examples include: “Tarneit”, “Under The Rose”, “Giants”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTSNominated titles will be judged in their entirety for award consideration.

A H264 with Stereo full mix ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. If a surround or atmos restriped version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out.RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Less than 25 minutes

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Documentary must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single episode or film. For Episodics, only ONE episode from a season can be entered.

A project is considered a documentary if it is a work of non-fiction that focuses on a specific subject or theme. The aim of the program must be to educate or instruct the audience or preserve facts/ideas for the historical record.

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. This can be via traditional broadcast, streaming, or festival release.

Examples include: “Facing Monsters”, “A Fire Inside”,  “My Name is Gulpilil” &  “Life In Colour with David Attenborough”.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters must indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered. The Judges may choose to watch the project in its entirety, however, will be focusing on the nominated 20 minutes.

A H264 with Stereo full mix ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. If a surround or atmos restriped version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out. If there was no one from a department please make mention of this.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
25 minutes + 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entries in this category may be eligible for additional craft awards; Best Sound Recording, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing. If you wish to submit in these categories, this will need to be indicated at the time of submission and meet the relevant requirements.

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONSThe ASSG award for Best Lifestyle, Reality, or Factual Entertainment submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single episode. Only ONE episode from a season can be entered.

To qualify in this category, a project must be a work on non-fiction that focuses more on entertainment than a comprehensive analysis or exploration.  It can include an element of competition.

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. This can be via traditional broadcast or streaming.

Examples include: “The Block”, “My Kitchen Rules”, “Grand Designs Australia”, “Aussie Gold Hunters” & “SAS Australia”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTSFor nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered. The Judges may choose to watch the project in its entirety, however, will be focusing on the nominated 20 minutes.

A H264 with Stereo full mix ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.  If a surround or atmos version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out. If there was no one from a department please make mention of this.
PROGRAM RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
25 minutes +

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Live-Event Broadcast must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single Live-Event.

This award is open to all broadcasts that are direct to air or streamed (not pre-recorded) including live sporting events, news programs, etc.

The original live broadcast date must have been within the awards cut off dates.

Examples include: “The State of Origin”, “Carols by Candelight” & “ABC News 24”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered. If the entry is below 20 minutes, the full entry will be considered. For projects longer than 20 minutes, the Judges may choose to watch the project in its entirety, however, will be focusing on the nominated 20 minutes.

A H264 with Stereo audio ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out. If there was no one from a department please make mention of this.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
No running time requirement

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONSThe ASSG award for a Television Series must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single episode. Only ONE episode from a season can be entered.

Any single episode of live-action fictional content can be submitted for consideration in this category. This category has previously been known as “Drama or Comedy Series”. This category does not include Children’s television or Web Series.

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. This can be via traditional broadcast or streaming services.

Examples include: “Wentworth”, “The Other Guy”, “Mr. Inbetween”. 

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered. The Judges may choose to watch the project in its entirety, however, will be focusing on the nominated 20 minutes.

A H264 with Stereo audio ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.  If a surround or atmos restripe version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out. 

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
20 minutes + 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entries in this category may be eligible for additional craft awards; Best Sound Recording, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing. If you wish to submit in these categories, this will need to be indicated at the time of submission and meet the relevant requirements.

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONSThe ASSG Award for Children’s or Animated Series must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for a single episode. Only ONE episode from a season can be entered.

Any single episode of a Children’s Series (Live-Action or Animated) or Animated Series (aimed at children or adults) can be submitted for consideration in this category.

Entries must have premiered via traditional broadcast or streaming services.
As the “Children’s Programme” category was not available in the 2022 awards, we will be accepting releases between 1st June 2021 – 1st August 2023 for this category, if they were not previously entered in the 2022 Awards in any category (such as comedy or drama series). 

Examples include: “MaveriX”, “Bluey”, “Yolo”. 

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered. If the entry is below 20 minutes, the full entry will be considered. For projects longer than 20 minutes, the Judges may choose to watch the project in its entirety, however, will be focusing on the nominated 20 minutes.

A H264 with Stereo full mix ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.  If a surround or atmos restripe version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
No length requirements

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Interactive screen media submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing for interactive screen content.

This award is open to all non-linear projects that link audio with screens where the vision, mix, or sound design changes from user input. This can include but is not limited to, console or mobile games, 360 Video / VR / AR / MR where sound mix changes based on head position or eye tracking or other user input, art or museum installation with an interactive element, etc. Screen in this case is anything that plays video content. This can be televisions or monitors, mobiles or handheld devices, headsets, or projections (including project mapping and holographics). This does not include content which screens are only used for UI (such as audio tours, podcasts, text-based games, or audio-only games).

The premiere is considered the initial release or first day of the exhibition. Re-releases or update patches are not considered a new release. As this category was not available in the 2022 awards, we will be accepting releases between 1st June 2021 – 1st August 2023 for this category.

Examples include: “The Sir John Monash Centre Installation”, “Thin Ice VR” & “Unpacking”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters must upload a gameplay of the interactive content.
Capture or record a section (or sections) of the project, no longer than 25 minutes, that best demonstrates the sound of the project. The capture or filmed recording can be showcasing multiple levels, areas, scenes, or scenarios. If showcasing multiple segments, these will need to be edited together into one file.

One H264 with Stereo full mix must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. If your content is in 5.1, or binaural, please downmix to stereo. Dual mono is also acceptable.  If a surround, binaural, or ambisonic restripe version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

Game keys (up to 6) or links to works in the original format will be excepted as additional material. Keep in mind that judges may not have access to the appropriate device to play the entry, so gameplay captures will be the main form of judging.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Up to 25 minutes of recorded gameplay. 

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Independent Feature Film (Fiction) submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing. This can be live-action or animation. This category does not include feature documentaries. 

A film qualifies as an independent feature film if it is at least sixty (60) minutes in length and is not part of a series, and has an overall budget of less than AU$2 Million.  An Independent Feature Film entry cannot also be entered into the Feature Film category.

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. Premiere can be the initial release at a festival, the mainstream release in cinema, or direct to streaming. Premiere does not include non-public screenings, such as cast and crew screenings.

Examples include: “Wyrmwood: Apocalypse”, “My Frist Summer”, “Standing Up For Sunny”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
The full length film must be entered during the submission process. We highly suggest that your film is watermarked with a generic watermark i.e. ASSG Awards or Netflix Property (Do not watermark films with the name of the submitter or sound company). Films will be downloaded ONLY by the screening facility for the purpose of judging and by our media content team to create judging packages and nomination videos (if applicable).

For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered.

A H264 with embedded 5.1 cinema mix ( LRCLfeLsRs ) or LRC cinema mix must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. Note that some streamers may use a different order, so please check your files before submitting. Content will all playback at “Dolby 7” level to ensure that films are being judged in the same capacity.

At this time our feature films will not be judged in Dolby Atmos, as not all facilities currently have this capability. We are looking at introducing this for the 2024 awards.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out.

30 Second promotion clips must be watermark free and restriped with the Stereo Mix.
RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Above 60 minutes

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entries in this category may be eligible for additional craft awards; Best Sound Recording, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing. If you wish to submit in these categories, this will need to be indicated at the time of submission and meet the relevant requirements.

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Feature Film (Fiction) submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing. This can be live-action or animation. This category does not include feature documentaries.

A film qualifies as a feature film if it is at least sixty (60) minutes in length and is not part of a series and has an overall budget greater than AU$2 Million. A Feature Film entry cannot also be entered into the Independent Feature Film category.

Entries must have premiered within the awards cut off dates. Premiere can be the initial release at a festival, the mainstream release in cinema, or direct to streaming. Premiere does not include non-public screenings, such as cast and crew screenings.

Examples include: “The Power Of The Dog”, “Mortal Kombat”, “The King”

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
The full length film must be entered during the submission process. We highly suggest that your film is watermarked with a generic watermark i.e. ASSG Awards or Netflix Property (Do not watermark films with the name of the submitter or sound company). Films will be downloaded ONLY by the screening facility for the purpose of judging and by our media content team to create judging packages and nomination videos (if applicable).

For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the first twenty (20:00) minutes will be considered.

A H264 with embedded 5.1 cinema mix ( LRCLfeLsRs ) must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. Note that some streamers may use a different order, so please check your files before submitting. Content will all playback at “Dolby 7” level to ensure that films are being judged in the same capacity.

At this time our feature films will not be judged in Dolby Atmos, as not all facilities currently have this capability. We are looking at introducing this for the 2024 awards.

A description of why this project has been entered, including specific information regarding sound recording, sound editing, and sound mixing must be filled out.

30 Second promotion clips must be watermark free and restriped with the Stereo Mix.
RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Above 60 minutes

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entries in this category may be eligible for additional craft awards; Best Sound Recording, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing. If you wish to submit in these categories, this will need to be indicated at the time of submission and meet the relevant requirements.

This year we have expanded our Craft Awards to include Documentaries and Television Series over 45 minutes, as well as Independent Feature Films and Feature Films.

Consideration for the craft categories will not be automatic and will need to be indicated on the submission form.

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Best Sound Recording submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound recording for a single episode or film. “Sound Recording” includes Production Mixer (Location Sound Recordist), Boom Operator, Sound Utility, Sound Assistant, ADR Mixer, Playback Operator, FX Recordist, Etc.

The majority (over 50%) of the sound recording crew MUST be Australian (citizens or residents), with at least one member as an ASSG financial member. For Example, A film shot in the UK with UK production crew but post-produced in Australia would NOT be eligible for this category. 

Projects over 45 minutes in length entered into Documentaries, Television Series, Independent Feature Films, and Feature Films are eligible for this category. Projects will NOT be automatically entered into this award and must be selected for consideration in the entry form.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. We highly recommend indicating a different section than for the overall sound entry, that best demonstrates the excellence in Sound Recording. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the times indicated in the overall category will be used.

A H264 with Stereo audio ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.

For Feature & Independent Features – Stereo Mix can be provided as stems, however, they must be the same framerate as the vision. This will be restriped by our ASSG Awards Committee.
For Documentaries & Television Series – If a surround (LRCLfeLsRs) or atmos restripe version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Above 45 minutes

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Best Sound Editing submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound editing for a single episode or film. “Sound Editing” includes Dialogue Editor, Sound Effects Editor, Sound Editor, Music Editor, Foley Artist, Foley Editor, Sound Supervisor, Sound Designer, Assistant Sound Editor, etc.

The majority (over 50%) of the sound editing department MUST be Australian (citizens or residents), with at least one member as an ASSG financial member. For Example, A film shot in Australia but post-produced in the UK with a UK crew would NOT be eligible for this award. 

Projects over 45 minutes in length entered into Documentaries, Television Series, Independent Feature Films, and Feature Films are eligible for this category. Projects will NOT be automatically entered into this award and must be selected for consideration in the entry form.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. We highly recommend indicating a different section than for the overall sound entry, that best demonstrates the excellence in Sound Editing. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the times indicated in the overall category will be used.

A H264 with Stereo audio ONLY must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process.

For Feature & Independent Features – Stereo Mix can be provided as stems, however, they must be the same framerate as the vision. This will be restriped by our ASSG Awards Committee.
For Documentaries & Television Series – If a surround (LRCLfeLsRs) or atmos restripe version is available, these can be submitted as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch these.

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Above 45 minutes

AWARD CATEGORY DEFINITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The ASSG award for Best Sound Mixing submissions must demonstrate exemplary sound mixing for a single episode or film. “Sound Mixing” includes Re-Recording Mixer, Re-Recording Engineer, Mix Assistant, etc.

The majority (over 50%) of the sound mixing department MUST be Australian (citizens or residents), with at least one member as an ASSG financial member. For Example, A film shot in Australia but post-produced in the UK with a UK crew would NOT be eligible for this award. 

Projects over 45 minutes in length entered into Documentaries, Television Series, Independent Feature Films, and Feature Films are eligible for this category. Projects will NOT be automatically entered into this award and must be selected for consideration in the entry form.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
For nomination consideration, submitters may indicate up to twenty minutes (20:00) from no more than two (2) sections. We highly recommend indicating a different section than for the overall sound entry, that best demonstrates the excellence in Sound Mixing. If no times are indicated in the submission paperwork, the times indicated in the overall category will be used.

A H264 must be uploaded to Media Room during the submission process. Restripe audio must be the best format that demonstrates the mix (Stereo, LRC, or 5.1 only). Surround must be restriped as LRCLfeLsRs.

If mixed in Atmos, you can provide a restriped version as additional content, however, the judges may not have the facilities to watch in Atmos (that includes using the Dolby render to watch Atmos files as surround).

RUNNING TIME REQUIREMENT
Above 45 minutes