Applications for the Rory Peck Trust Awards which recognise outstanding works produced each year and highlighting the significant contribution by freelancers to the international media industry has been declared open with an entry deadline of August 10, 2020.
Each year the Rory Peck Trust Awards honour the most outstanding work produced by freelance journalists and filmmakers working worldwide.
The Awards initiative which was established in 1995 has been celebrating and rewarding freelance journalists working in news and current affairs worldwide in the last 25 years. These are the freelance reporters, filmmakers, photojournalists and camera operators who play a vital role in international newsgathering – and in keeping independent journalism alive.
The Rory Peck Awards are for professional freelance journalists working anywhere in the world. The four categories focus on international news and current affairs, with one category dedicated specifically to local journalists and field producers. Any work submitted must have been broadcast in the past year.
The Rory Peck Awards’ four categories recognise quality and impact of work, but also take into account individual endeavour and journalistic integrity. They are:
News Award, sponsored by Google
This Award recognises the work of freelance journalists in the video coverage of a news event where the focus is on the immediacy of the story. Duration of entry is up to a maximum of 10 minutes. Broadcast news packages and agency feeds are accepted in this category while portfolio submissions and camera rushes are not.
News Features Award
This award recognises the work of freelance journalists in video news features that take a more in-depth look at a story, beyond the immediacy of the news. Duration for those categories is up to a maximum of 30 minutes.
Sony Impact Award for Current Affairs
This Award recognises the work of freelance journalists working in long-form current affairs video/film that examines a single issue, story or situation and has an impact on the viewer, policy or public awareness. Duration is up to a maximum of 60 minutes
Martin Adler Prize
The Martin Adler Prize honours a local freelance journalist or field producer working in any medium whose work with international media outlets has made a significant contribution to newsgathering, either through a single story or body of work. The aim of the prize is to highlight the dedication and talent of local freelancers who often work under challenging and difficult circumstances within their own country, and who go largely unrecognised. The Martin Adler Prize is a unique chance to give global recognition to someone you have commissioned, admired, worked with or relied upon upon whose work has made a significant contribution to newsgathering. You may NOT nominate or enter yourself for this category.
Selection as an Awards finalist guarantees the work of the applicants to additional exposure to international media outlets and top industry professionals.
Successful Applicants will attend the Awards ceremony in London, where they will have the opportunity to meet valuable industry contacts and take part in networking events. They will also gain international recognition for their work at one of the world’s most established and respected Awards for freelancers – as well as a cash prize.
The Awards are free to enter for all and this year’s deadline for submissions is August 10, 2020, 11.59 pm BST. Late entries will not be accepted.
Complete online entry forms which should be in English must be submitted online at https://rorypeck.awardsplatform.com/with the entry submitted as broadcast and uploaded with the entry form as a high-resolution digital film file. The preferred format is. MOV H264 (1920 x 1080) without timecodes. The file should be clearly titled with the name of the entrant and entry title.
Entries not in English must be accompanied by a detailed and accurate storyline and translation, uploaded to the online entry form.
Only work by freelance journalists or filmmakers is eligible for entry. For the purposes of the Rory Peck Awards, the term “freelance” is defined as someone who gathers and generates stories, images and footage for professional broadcast and online news and current affairs platforms.
Applicants will not have a permanent or rolling contract or salary but may be on a retainer with one or more organisation(s), work to commission or be paid by the piece. This can include those who, at times, may be required to supplement their income by other means.
Other requirements stipulate that:
- Entries must have been first broadcast between 1 June 2019 and 31 July 2020 inclusive.
- All entries must be submitted and titled as first broadcast.
- All entries must have been broadcast or published by a recognised television channel, broadcaster, news agency, VOD/streaming platform or online news platform.
- Re-versions of previously submitted entries will not be accepted.
- Applicants cannot submit the same entry for more than one category.
- Self-funded work and entries are accepted from freelancers living and working in regions where it may be difficult to operate.
