Submissions open in April and are due June 7
Please note that distributors must submit film titles for each category in which they wish to compete. No film is automatically eligible for any category.
To Be Eligible
- Films must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023.
- If the first playing of a film in a public performance falls between April 1-May 31, 2023, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- If a film was released prior to 1999 and has been re-edited, it may be submitted for the film awards.
- Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
- Film titles must be submitted for each category in which they wish to compete.
- There is no fee to submit films for awards consideration.
- Except for Best Film-Feature Length, films must be under 60 minutes in length.
Process
- Once films have been submitted, GSCA will contact distributors to get content. Distributors are encouraged to submit links to footage highlighting the specific categories submitted.
- These links will be included on the ballot for voter consideration.
- A film award ballot will be sent to the voting contact at each member organization.
- Winners will be announced at the GSCA Conference in September.
Film Award Categories
- Best Film, Short Subject
- Best Film, Feature Length
- Best Film for Lifelong Learning
- Film which best represents the development and presentation of giant screen film experiences from a lifelong learning point of view. Criteria below will guide voters in their selection. The film:
- conveys useful information and/or dispels misconceptions and encourages reflective/critical thinking
- introduces new roles and perspectives
- uses familiar starting points but stretches viewer interests and extends their knowledge
- entertaining and compelling
- motivates viewer interest in the film’s topic
- provides a variety of experiences to meet the needs of viewers of different ages and from different backgrounds
- provides effective educational resources for further learning
- aspires to be meaningful to multinational audiences and languages
- Film which best represents the development and presentation of giant screen film experiences from a lifelong learning point of view. Criteria below will guide voters in their selection. The film:
- Best Visual Effects
- Voters should consider overall achievement of the visual effects within the film where the visual effects are a visible, essential, and integral part of the story, and the artistry, skill, and fidelity with which the visual illusions are achieved.
- Best Cinematography
- Best Sound Design
- Voters should consider the audio elements of the soundtrack that do not include music composition but do include location recording, sound effects, foley, dialogue, and final mix.
- Best Original Score
- Voters should consider the instrumental music created expressly for the film, which underscores the action and supports its dramatic needs. A great score is one that provides dramatic power, humor, thematic beauty, emotional impact, and/or any other musical attribute of significance to the film.