Calling sports videomakers: what you need to know about the AIPS Sport Media Awards
Graphics by Nordcap Studio
AIPS Media
LAUSANNE, June 19, 2020 - The AIPS Sport Media Awards 2020 are open to submissions. Professional journalists from all over the world can participate in the nine categories, while the young reporters competing in their dedicated category will have the chance to win a scholarship to cover a top sports event.
But, what do you need to know before submitting your production in the Video category?
Here is the solution to all your doubts.
What are the categories for Video?
There are three main categories for Video: Short Feature Video, Athlete Profile and Documentary. As main categories, submitting in any of these will offer you the possibility, should your work is selected, to reach the final and claim one of the top three money prizes. There’s also one video category, “Broadcasting”, reserved for the Young Reporters Under 30 that wish to participate voluntarily. Participants in the latter have to be born after January 1, 1991 and the winner will earn a scholarship at a top international sporting event.
What’s the description for Short Feature Video?
A video shorter than 10 minutes in length on any sporting subject with strong storytelling, innovative filming and journalistic relevance.
What’s the description for Athlete Profile?
A video longer than 10 minutes that portrays a captivating, in-depth image of an athlete or a prominent and relevant sport figure.
What’s the description for Documentary?
A video longer than 10 minutes that tells a compelling and revealing story about any aspect of the sport world, showing qualitative research and editorial input combined with quality filmmaking.
Is there a minimum and maximum times for submitted videos?
Short Feature Video: A video shorter than 10 minutes (0-10 minutes).
Athlete Profile: A video longer than 10 minutes (10 or more minutes).
Documentary: A video longer than 10 minutes (10 or more minutes).
What happens if I make a mistake and send a video longer than the maximum or shorter than the minimum?
If it is before the deadline, we will notify so you can change the category by creating a new submission.
How many submissions do I have?
Applicants are limited to a maximum of two entries across all categories of the Awards. A separate online entry form and supporting materials will be required for each entry.
What fields do I have to fill in the submission form?
Every submission form has a field for Title (the original title of your video) and Description. In the description, you can explain what the story is about, the context of your video (challenges, journalistic value, repercussions) and add all additional information that can be valuable for the judges.
Can I send two videos within the same submission form?
No. A separate online entry form and supporting materials will be required for each entry. We will only take into consideration those files submitted in the “Submission file” or “Submission link” fields, also matching ‘Title’ and ‘Description’.
I’m not a full-time employee, I work as a freelancer. Is it possible for me to participate?
Yes, participation is open to all professional journalists, whether directly employed or freelancers.
I’m not a member of AIPS, can I still participate?
Applications may come from AIPS cardholders as well as those who are not members of the association but must come from one of the countries represented by the 160 member national associations.
Do I have to pay a fee to participate?
No, participation is completely free.
How do I know if I qualify for the Best Young Reporter in Broadcasting (Audio & Video) category?
Participants for the Young Reporter category must be born on or after January 1, 1991. At the same time, all entrants must be persons who were at least 18 years of age on October 8, 2019. Therefore, if you were born from January 1, 1991 to October 8, 2001, you can voluntarily participate in the Young Reporter categories.
Can I submit two entries for the Young Reporter category?
No. As it is a special category, only one submission will be accepted. It is still possible to use your second submission to compete in one of the other main categories.
My video was published on a personal video sharing platform or personal website, is it still valid?
Our first rule is that all entrants need to be professional journalists. Independent videomakers might have only the possibility of publishing their work on video sharing platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo, which is why we consider these valid, as long as they comply with the rest of the rules, therefore, being produced by professional journalists and being broadcast on the valid period of participation. For submissions coming from video sharing platforms, we can contact entrants and ask for additional information during the judging process.
What happens if I submit in the wrong category?
Entrants are responsible for ensuring that their entry meets all eligibility requirements and for selecting the most appropriate category for their entries. The AIPS Awards organisers reserve the right to move an entry into another category when it would be more appropriate there. In that case, you’ll be notified of a change of category.
What does proof of publication mean?
We need to verify that the submission was broadcast and that it is valid according to the period of participation, therefore between October 8, 2019, until October 7, 2020. Proof of publication for online videos could be a link with the date visible. Proof of publication means the first emission or premiere in any country of the world.
Can I send a video using WeTransfer or a similar platform?
No. All videos should be uploaded into the platform of AIPS Sport Media Awards in a valid video format. Links sent via WeTransfer or similar platforms will be disregarded. If videos can be found online, please provide a fully accessible link (ie. not behind a paywall) and provide a password if applicable. If you have any problems by uploading your video, please contact us at info@aipsawards.com
Is it possible to submit my videos if they are not in English?
While English is the official language of the Awards, you can submit videos in any language. For non-English videos, English subtitles are advisable since this will speed up the judging process. Please be aware that you can submit your work and then add an English subtitles at a later stage. Also, it is possible that the full-script in original language is requested by AIPS staff if your video advances to the final stages.
What happens if I don’t send an English script or subtitles for a video that is in a foreign language?
All entries that are not in English and do not have English translation will be screened by a native speaker from the judging panel or from the respective member association of AIPS in the first phase. If judged as valuable, the entry will be translated into English via a professional service. AIPS staff might contact you in advance to see if you’d like to submit your own English translation.
Is it possible to submit a video if it was produced by two or more journalists?
Yes. But please make sure to specify your specific role in the video (ie, director, producer, anchor, news reporter. It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide complete and accurate information about the entry (including supporting documents). Also, please clarify if you have acquired footage or if it is all original and shot by your crew.
What happens if the documentary or athlete profile is part of a docu-series?
If the documentary is part of a docu-series, we kindly invite you to choose one episode to represent your submission and explain the docu-series structure in the description. We can require for additional episodes upon a request of our Jury.
Can I delete my submission or change it before the deadline?
Yes, it is possible to make amendments, add missing documents or complete missing fields. You can also delete your submission, in case you’ve decided to submit a new one.
What do the rules say regarding copyright and footage?
Entries and information contained within any entry (including supporting documents) must have been obtained legally, must not infringe any copyright or other intellectual property rights, must not be defamatory or breach any privacy law, and must not breach any other law or regulation.
Where can I check all the rules?
You can check all the rules here https://www.aipsawards.com/awards#RULES.