A colourist cannot submit more than ONE project in each of the six categories in the FilmLight Colour Awards. This means that a colourist cannot be shortlisted in the same category twice.

The entrant cannot enter the same project in different categories with the following exceptions:

  • Spotlight projects may also be submitted to the Theatrical Feature category. 
  • Emerging Talent submissions may also be entered into the Commercial or Music Video category.

The FilmLight Colour Awards reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project for submission category.

Theatrical Feature

This award showcases the exceptional talent and craft that contribute to the image of an entire feature film.

Theatrical Feature is a single, original programme, exhibited or broadcast in one part.

Duration must be more than 70 minutes long.

TV Series / Episodic

This award celebrates the colourist’s creativity and technical skills in building the look of TV content.

TV Series / Episodic is intended for home viewing/streaming only. It includes any live-action, documentary/non-fiction, animation project or television special presented in or intended to be presented in a multi-episode format, excluding reality TV projects, which are not eligible for competition.

To be eligible, the colourist must have GRADED AT LEAST TWO EPISODES of the series season.

Commercial

This award is dedicated to the colourists who specialise in the artistry and innovation of grading commercials.

Projects must have a duration of less than ten minutes. Movie trailers are not eligible in this category.

Music Video

This award honours the colourists who specialise in the unique artform of music videos.

Music Video projects must feature a single song and have a duration of less than ten minutes.

Spotlight

This award seeks to find the unsung talents in the industry. It showcases the craft that contributes to the image of an entire feature film, where the film has a total budget of less than $3 million USD.

As for the Theatrical Feature category, Spotlight projects must comprise a single, original programme, exhibited or broadcast in one part. Documentary projects are excluded from this category.

Duration must be more than 70 minutes long.

Note: Projects submitted to the ‘Spotlight’ category can also be entered into the ‘Theatrical Feature’ category if desired.

Emerging Talent

This award seeks to recognise and celebrate the next generation of colourists. By honouring them and their contributions to the field, we hope to push innovation and growth within the colour grading community.

The Emerging Talent award is open to colourists aged 18-35 (at time of submission) and is solely for commercial and music video projects aired between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024. Features and episodic projects are excluded.

The project must have been aired to be eligible for submission; projects that have been produced by students as part of an academic course at a college or university will not be eligible.

Note: Projects submitted to the Emerging Talent category can also be entered into the Commercial or Music Video category, if desired.

For any questions regarding the technical specifications or rules, please contact [email protected].

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