Film awards will not be presented in 2021. All films that would
have been eligible in 2020 and 2021 will be eligible when we resume the
awards again in 2022. For more information about 2021 recognition, please click here.
Award Categories
Film award categories, and criteria for each are listed below:
- Best Film, Short Subject
- Best Film, Feature Length
- Best Film for Lifelong Learning
- Best Cinematography
- Best Sound Design
- Best Original Score
- Best Visual Effects
- Distributors must submit film titles for each category in which they wish to compete.
- No film is automatically eligible for any category.
- Distributors may submit as many titles as they wish, as long as the films submitted meet the category's eligibility requirements.
- There is no fee to submit films for awards consideration.
- Please submit only one film title per form and indicate the categories in which you want the film to compete.
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Once you have submitted your film, GSCA will contact you to get a link to the film's trailer. You are also encouraged to submit links to footage highlighting the specific categories in which you have submitted. These links will be included on the ballot for voter consideration. GSCA will also provide information on the materials you will need to submit so we can include your film in the awards ceremony.
The ballot for the 2020 Film Awards will be sent to the voting contact at each member organization in late June. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala at the International Conference and Trade Show in Chicago in September.
Best Film, Short Subject
One film will be awarded the Best Film, Short Subject. To be eligible, short films:
- must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
Best Film, Feature Length
One film will be awarded the Best Film, Feature Length. To be eligible, films:
- must be over 60 minutes in run time.
- must have been released and played in a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
Best Film for Lifelong Learning
One film, which best represents the development and presentation of giant screen film experiences from a lifelong learning point of view, will be awarded the Best Film for Lifelong Learning. To be eligible, films:
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
Criteria below set by the Lifelong Learning Committee will guide voters in their selection:
- The film conveys useful information and/or dispels misconceptions and encourages reflective/critical thinking
- The film introduces new roles and perspectives
- The film uses familiar starting points but stretches viewer interests and extends their knowledge
- The film is entertaining and compelling
- The film motivates viewer interest in the film's topic
- The film provides a variety of experiences to meet the needs of viewers of different ages and from different backgrounds
- The film provides effective educational resources for further learning
- The film aspires to be meaningful to multinational audiences and languages
Best Visual Effects
One film will be awarded the Best Visual Effects. To be eligible, films:
- must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA
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
One film will be awarded the Best Cinematography. To be eligible, films:
- must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
Best Sound Design
One film will be awarded the Best Sound Design. To be eligible, films:
- must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
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
One film will be awarded the Best Original Score. To be eligible, films:
- must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
- must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
- both the film's producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
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.