JW Marriott Austin
JW Marriott Austin
BEST DIRECTOR, REALITY & LIFESTYLE
BEST DIRECTOR, DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION
CREATOR-LED CONTENT
TALENT
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST, UNSCRIPTED — Awarded to a group of individuals that act as recurring principal talent in an unscripted series, including reality program subjects, judging panelists and contestants of competition shows. When entering a program with cast changes each season or series, the season being entered will be the talent reflected in this category.
BEST HOST, UNSCRIPTED COMPETITION — Awarded to a host, co-hosts or subject matter expert(s) who act as the lead host in an unscripted competition program. Co-hosts/presenters must be entered together and not split into separate entries.
BEST HOST OR PRESENTER, UNSCRIPTED PROGRAM OR SERIES — Awarded to a host, co-hosts or subject matter expert(s) who act as the lead host or presenter in an unscripted program or series. Co-hosts/presenters must be entered together and not split into separate entries. This category is not applicable to hosts of competition programs.
BEST PRESENTER OR NARRATOR, NON-FICTION — Awarded to a host, co-hosts or subject matter expert(s) who act as the lead presenter or narrator in a non-fiction/documentary program or series. Co-presenters must be entered together and not split into separate entries.
GAME & QUIZ — In-studio game show formats that utilize tests of skill and/or knowledge as part of the game play.
LIFESTYLE — Competitions that are framed within lifestyle-oriented situations, such as cooking, home renovation, fashion, health and wellness, etc.
REALITY & STUDIO-BASED — Competitions shot in reality-style or in-studio formats which can showcase a particular talent or skill of contestants, take place in professional/'in-the-field' settings or constructed within a special living environment that may include social experiments (surveillance, dating/relationships), high-stakes/survival challenges and/or reenactments.
FOOD — Programming, shot either in-studio or on location, with a food focus. Can be strictly instructional, or presenter-led docu-narrative but food must be a central element and focus of the story.
HOUSE & HOME — Programming, shot either on location or in-studio, that has the home as its primary focus. Can be renovation/home makeover-oriented, have a real estate focus (house flipping, house hunting, etc.), or personal finance as it pertains to lifestyle and living arrangements.
ARTS & CULTURE — Non-fiction programs concerned with themes and/or subject matter focusing on issues, trends or individuals within the arts and culture sphere, including visual arts, music, literature, film, performance, design, fashion, architecture, cultural heritage, and creative industries. Projects may also explore cultural practices and artistic expression across different communities or regions, including travel-based storytelling that examines the cultural identity, traditions, and creative life of a geographic location. Can be one-offs or series. Note that variety shows, concert films/specials without significant documentary reportage and awards shows are not eligible for this category.
CRIME & INVESTIGATION — Non-fiction projects concerned with themes and/or subject matter dealing with stories of criminal activity and/or the investigative efforts that ensue thereafter. Please note — if submitting a crime and investigation program that is part of a strand, please identify the episode title and the date it first aired within the strand. Crime shows primarily following a profession (i.e. policing, forensics, detective work) rather than actual criminal cases are better suited to the Docureality category.
HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY — Non-fiction projects concerned with historical subjects, including modern and recent history, and biographies of important and/or historical figures. Can be one-offs or series.
NATURE & SCIENCE — Non-fiction projects concerned with themes or subject matter relating to the environment, nature and wildlife, science, popular science, technology and medicine. Projects may also incorporate travel-based storytelling that investigates natural landscapes, biodiversity, scientific phenomena, or environmental challenges in different regions of the world. Can be one-offs or series.
SOCIAL ISSUES & CURRENT AFFAIRS — Non-fiction projects concerned with themes and/or subject matter dealing with social issues, and non-fiction projects with subject matter pertaining to current world affairs, that are either one-offs or part of a strand. Note that when submitting a current affairs project that is part of a strand, you are to identify the project and the date it first aired within the strand.
SPORTS DOCUMENTARY — Documentary-style series or one-offs concerned with historical or modern day sports stories, as well as biographies or profiles of athletic figures. Note that for reality-style sports programming or unscripted competition series involving sports elements, entrants should consider other categories in the unscripted entertainment sub-genres that they feel may be more appropriate (docureality, docusoap, reality competition, etc.). Does not include live sports programming, game coverage or specials, or daily news coverage.
BEST NON-FICTION PODCASTS & VODCASTS — Podcasts (audio-only or incorporating video) that explore real-world topics and present well-researched, interesting angles on factual subject matter fields — spanning current events, historical analysis, lifestyle, health and wellness, science and nature, or true crime — turning them into engaging, informative, and thought-provoking podcast/vodcast programming. Can be standalone or serialized programs. Note that serialized programs are asked to provide 2-3 episodes that best represent the overall narrative arc of the story.
**NEW** CREATOR-LED CONTENT — Recognizing the increasing influence and audience for creator-led content in the non-fiction and unscripted industry, this category honors creator-led intellectual property (IP) — from channels to ongoing series — across non-fiction and unscripted sub-genres. Content recognized by this category can be distributed solely through social platforms, or through a combination of social and "traditional" media (ie. television and streaming).
DOCUSOAP — Lighter docureality fare, including celebreality, and 'soap opera'-styled situations, where characters are followed in a 'fly on the wall' manner.
DOCUREALITY — Grittier subject matter than a docusoap, a more topical exploration into the main subject(s). Examples may include a focus on professional activities, unique (non-artificial) living environments or sub-cultures. Programs may also incorporate travel or location-based storytelling that follows individuals or groups across different regions within their real working environments, communities, or lifestyles. Can be one-offs or series.
STRUCTURED REALITY — Program or series that examines the actions or behaviors of individuals within the construct of a social experiment, situational template or constructed special living environment. Structured reality programs where a competition/winner is determined should be entered into a competition category (reality & studio-based).
The Realscreen Awards will recognize craft and content contributions and achievements of select individuals and programs from the following categories:
DIALOG AWARD — Selected from eligible entries of the program competition, the DIALOG (Diversity, Inclusion, Accountability, Learning, Opportunity, Growth) Award will be presented to honor a series, miniseries or one-off program that positively reflects diversity and inclusivity through its subject matter and casting, or provides a greater understanding of the topic, that educates and inspires positive change.
There is no additional cost to enter the DIALOG AWARD category. Please indicate the program's eligibility in the entry form when entering one of the program categories above.
**NEW** BEST DIRECTOR, REALITY & LIFESTYLE – Awarded to the director whose creative vision and storytelling most effectively shaped a reality or lifestyle program. This category recognizes excellence in directing unscripted content that captures authentic moments, guides participant narratives, and crafts engaging storylines within real-world environments. Eligible directors fall within competition, lifestyle and reality programming that was first released within the competition eligibility period.
**NEW** BEST DIRECTOR, DOCUMENTARY / NON-FICTION – Awarded to the director whose creative vision and storytelling most effectively shaped a documentary/non-fiction program. This category recognizes excellence in directing non-fiction content, including the crafting of narrative, visual style, character development, and editorial structure to bring real-world stories and subjects to life. Eligible directors fall within non-fiction programming that was first released within the competition eligibility period.
