1. Direction
This category honours the Director’s creative excellence and vision that brings an idea to life.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| Subcategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1001. Narrative | Refers to direction for film advertising exclusively in the genre of storytelling that is linear and plot-driven. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1002. Humour | Refers to direction for film advertising exclusively in the genre of humour. The judging will be based more heavily on humour, delivery and performance. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1003. Montage | Recognises the form of storytelling that involves a non-linear, idea-driven narrative and rhythmic progression. The categories include but are not limited to automotive, fashion and beauty, sports and fitness, etc.. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1004. PSA Advertising | Public Service Announcement advertising that aims to inform, educate, or raise awareness about important social, health, or safety issues. It may or may not include work for government initiatives, public awareness campaigns, NGOs, military efforts, charities, and other non-profit organisations. |
| 1005. Animation & CGI-Integrated Advertising | Recognises direction for film advertising that is either wholly animated and/or CGI-generated, or has certain elements of animation and/or CGI-integrated along the length of the entire film. |
| 1006. Best Campaign of the Year - Direction | Celebrates the best campaign of the year in direction, comprising multiple commercials. Entrants can enter multiple entries from the same campaign together, in this subcategory. You must submit more than 1 and less than 5 pieces of work. Note: The winning campaign will be counted as a single win. For the 'Best Production Company/Agency of the Year' category, scores will be calculated based on this single win, rather than multiple films within the campaign. |
| 1007. Young Director of the Year - Commercial / Music Video (Under 30) | Celebrates the best breakthrough Director, of either a commercial or a music video. The entrant's date of birth must be on or after January 01, 1995. |
2. Cinematography
This category honours creative excellence in moving images. The artistic style, lighting and composition play a key role here.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1008. Narrative | Refers to cinematography for film advertising exclusively in the genre of storytelling that is linear and plot-driven. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1009. Montage | Recognises the form of storytelling that involves a non-linear, idea-driven narrative and rhythmic progression. The categories include but are not limited to automotive, fashion and beauty, sports and fitness, etc.. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1010. Young Cinematographer of the Year - Commercial / Music Video (Under 30) | Celebrates the best breakthrough Cinematographer, of either a commercial or a music video. The entrant's date of birth must be on or after January 01, 1995. |
3. Music & Sound Design
This category honours the creative use of music and sound design in film advertising.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1011. Original Music Composition | Refers to original music that has been composed specifically for the submitted piece of work. The work will be judged on the artistic sensibility of the track itself and how it contributes to the impact of the entry. |
| 1012. Existing/Adapted Music | Pertains to the selection of already existing music. The track may be used as it is or be adapted, remixed or reworked upon. The work will be judged on how well the track fits the narrative and script, and contributes to the success of the piece of work. |
| 1013. Best Lyrics | Celebrates the writing of original lyrics in music for film advertising. The lyrics will be judged on how well the words and rhythm are combined to produce jingles, songs and lyrical content. |
| 1014. Sound Design | Refers to sound engineering that is created for film advertising. It includes technical excellence in recording, mixing and engineering the sound as well as additional sound effects. The work will be judged on both, the sound as well as how well it integrates with the story and edit to heighten the overall impact. |
| 1015. Young Music Composer of the Year - Commercial / Music Video (Under 30) | Celebrates the best breakthrough Music Composer, of either a commercial or a music video. The entrant's date of birth must be on or after January 01, 1995. |
4. Production Design / Art Direction
It includes the visual artistry and design that shapes the aesthetic and atmosphere of a project. It encompasses set design, location builds, props, lighting, and styling, as well as the overall visual direction and style of the campaign.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1016. Best Production Design | Refers to production design/art direction orchestrated for film advertising made for TV, cinema, online or digital release. |
| 1017. Creative Use of Budget | Recognises production design/art direction for film advertising where a creative idea is brought to life and that results in exceptional output, all set by a relatively low budget. The work submitted may be pro bono, or done for charity/government/non-profit organisations. Note that you will be required to state the production budget along with a breakdown of the total expenditure, and justify why you consider the submission to be a fit for this category. |
5. Casting & Performance
This category honours the excellence of casting for film advertising, which plays an undeniable role in communicating the idea and message.
The category includes but is not limited to the pre-production selection of actors, represented or unrepresented talent, influencers, as well as non-professionals and street casting for commercial and advertising projects.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1018. Best Casting | Refers to casting of professional or non-professional individuals for the purpose of film advertising, by casting companies/individuals. |
| 1019. Best Performance - Male | Pertains to exceptional talent in on-screen performances by male talent. There is no age restriction. |
| 1020. Best Performance - Female | Pertains to exceptional talent in on-screen performances by female talent. There is no age restriction. |
| 1021. Best Performance - LGBTQIA+ | Pertains to exceptional talent in on-screen performances by talent who prefer other genders/pronouns. There is no age restriction. |
| 1022. Best Voice-over | Refers to the craft of voice work. It includes voice performances that play a pivotal role in effective communication of the campaign’s message. |
6. Editing & Colour Grading
This category recognises the technical expertise and creative artistry involved in editing and colour grading for commercial projects.
It evaluates all aspects of the edit, including timing, pacing, visual and dialogue dynamics, sound integration, colour correction and overall storytelling that elevate the visual impact of the film.
Note that judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Note: For the colour grading subcategory, it is highly recommended that you share a 'Before-After' clip of the main film, so the Jury can better judge your craft and expertise.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1023. Editing - Narrative | Refers to editing done for film which follows the genre of storytelling that is linear and plot-driven. The work will be judged on technical editing and how it contributes to the impact of the script and overall brief. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1024. Editing - Humour | Refers to editing done for film advertising the narrative of which follows the genre of humour only. The work will be judged on technical editing and how it contributes to the impact of the script and overall brief. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1025. Editing - Montage | Recognises the form of storytelling that involves a non-linear, idea-driven narrative and rhythmic progression. It includes but is not restricted to montage and action films for automotive, fashion and beauty, and sports and fitness commercials. The work must have been created for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. |
| 1026. Young Editor of the Year - Commercial / Music Video (Under 30) | Celebrates the best breakthrough Editor, of either a commercial or a music video. The entrant's date of birth must be on or after January 01, 1995. |
| 1027. Colour Grading - Best Colour Grading | It refers to both technical and artistic enhancements, highlighting how the grading harmonises with lighting, production design, and direction to shape the mood, tone, and overall interpretation of the final footage. The submitted work must only have been published for TV, cinema, online or digital platforms. Note: It is highly recommended that you share a 'Before-After' clip of the main film, so the Jury can better judge your craft and expertise. |
7. Visual Effects & Animation
This category celebrates the creative use of, and technical brilliance in VFX and Animation in film and advertising.
VFX encompasses the enhancement or alteration of images, film, or text using digital, practical, or in-camera techniques. For live performance work to qualify, it must incorporate Visual Effects.
Animation involves frame-by-frame manipulation of images, figures, or text to create dynamic visual storytelling. For live performance work to qualify, it must incorporate animation.
Note that the judges will prioritise craft over idea in this category.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1028. Visual Effects - CG/CGI | Refers to visual effects in film advertising that are designed and generated using computer software, including those rendered in real-time. |
| 1029. Visual Effects - Compositing | Refers to the blending of two or more visual elements from different sources, seamlessly merged into a single frame. |
| 1030. Visual Effects - Use of Emerging Technology | Recognises visual effects created using immersive technologies to enhance reality and transform how brands facilitate interactions between the real and virtual worlds, including between people and avatars. This includes techniques such as neural rendering, deepfakes, and the use of VR, AR and MR tools. |
| 1031. Animation - Best Animation Film | Refers to animation in film advertising. It includes 2D and 3D animation, traditional animation, mixed media, characters and creatures, motion design and/or the use of emerging technology. The judging will focus on the sensibility and execution of animation and how it contributes to the overall brief and narrative. |
| 1032. Animation - Mixed Media (2D, 3D & Motion Graphics) | Refers to the use and incorporation of mixed media animation techniques in film advertising. The work will be judged primarily on the element of animation. |
| 1033. Animation - Motion Design | Refers to artistic animation that creates motion for 2D and 3D components, such as illustrations or text. This includes animated typography as well as photorealistic lighting, textures and rendering. |
8. Artificial Intelligence
This category celebrates excellent creativity and technical use of Artificial Intelligence in film and advertising, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence in non-commercial work.
Note: The subcategory of Artificial intelligence (AI) category recognises the innovative application of artificial intelligence in commercial as well as non-commercial craft and communication.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1034. Best AI Commercial | Refers to the incorporation of artificial intelligence in advertising. The work must be either wholly or majorly generated by AI tools. The judging will lay emphasis on how effectively AI has been used to elevate the creative idea and deliver impactful results. The submitted work may be a video, image or gif. |
| 1035. AI-integrate Live Action Film | Recognises live-action films where artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrated into the filmmaking process. Entries should demonstrate how AI has been used to enhance visuals, environments, or post-production—working in harmony with live action to elevate storytelling, craft, and cinematic impact. |
| 1036. Best Visuals | Refers to the creative use of Artificial Intelligence in creating compelling visuals. The use of AI must contibute visually in elevating the purpose of the commercial film. The submitted work may be a video, image or gif. |
| 1037. Best Non-commercial AI Film | Refers to the incorporation of artificial intelligence in non-commercial or personal work (audio-visual). The work must be either wholly or majorly generated by AI tools. The submitted work may be a video, image or gif. Note: This category can include any personal showcase of creative AI work, music videos, etc. |
9. Costume, Hair & Make up
This category honours the creative vision and craftsmanship of costume designers, stylists and make-up artists in advertising and film.
It recognises the ability to design and curate wardrobe choices that not only align with the creative brief but also enhance the character sketch, narrative, and the overall visual identity of the work.
Each subcategory will award a Gold, Silver and Bronze. There may be multiple winners/no winner in a category depending on the Jury’s scores.
| SubCategory | Description |
|---|---|
| 1038. Costume & Styling | Pertains to the costume designing and styling in film advertising. Work will be judged on how effectively the costumes and styling contribute to storytelling, evoke emotion, and elevate the aesthetic appeal of the final output. |
| 1039. Hair Styling | Refers to craft of hair styling for film advertising. The work must effectively complement the narrative, elevate the visual impact, and support the creative vision of the project. |
| 1040. Make-up | Refers to the skill of make-up for film advertising. The work must effectively complement the narrative, elevate the visual impact, and support the creative vision of the project. |