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The Celtic Media Festival is an annual 3-day summit which combines a major conference of seminars and masterclasses with the presentation of the coveted Torc Awards for Excellence in an international competition across all the main content genres in TV, radio, film and digital media.

The festival competition is open to original productions first broadcast on traditional channels or online platforms, or publicly screened to an audience of over 50 between 1st of November 2023 – 31st of October 2024

Radio/podcast entries must have been first broadcast or made available online between 1st of November 2023 – 31st of October 2024

• Entries from the Celtic nations and regions* are accepted on any subject.
• Entries from outside the Celtic countries are accepted where the subject matter relates to aspects of life and culture, past, present or future of a Celtic country.
• Productions previously entered for competition at the CMF will not be accepted.
• Productions will be considered by one national jury only.
• To avoid duplication of entries, co-production partners should confer and decide which organisation will be the entrant.
• A programme/film can be entered in more than one category, provided it is eligible for each category entered. If entering programme/film into more than one category, it can only be entered to be viewed by one national jury, eg you may not enter the same programme into a categories in Ireland and Wales. 

The decision regarding which competition category an entry will be in is at the sole discretion of the entrant. Neither the Festival staff, the National Juries nor the International Juries are permitted to amend the decision of the entrant.

* The Celtic nations and regions include Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales and Galicia. The board retain the right to extend or limit this list.

Certification

Filling in the entry form confirms acceptance of the rules of the Celtic Media Festival and that you own the production or are authorised by the owner to submit the entry under the conditions specified in the CMF Entry Rules and Guidelines. The entrant, therefore, is entitled to grant CMF the right to copy and use a sequence of up to 2 minutes and to include such extracts in any television broadcast, webcast or any other distribution medium or publication in connection with the CMF and Awards. This includes use for publicity and promotional purposes together with the right to authorise others to do any of the foregoing for the use of CMF. Nominated entries will also be shown on the website from the date the nominee list is announced. This will be on a log in basis for registered delegates only. CMF also reserves the right to show all productions on a password protected platform for up to a month after Celtic Media Festival 2025. This is in lieu of, or in addition to, Celtic Media Festival’s DVD Library. Individual circumstances will be considered.

If you are unsure of what category to enter or if your programme fits the criteria for more than one categories, we recommend that you research past winners here.

SCREEN:

1. ANIMATION:  This category is open to entries from all areas of animation. Where the production is mixed media, ie a combination of animation and live action, at least 60% should be animated.
2. ARTS: This category is for programmes and films that celebrate and examine the arts. (Recordings of performances are not eligible)
3. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME:  This category invites entries from a wide range of programming and films for children, fiction and non-fiction.  Entries should demonstrate success in communicating with the specific target audience.  The entrant should specify the particular age of the audience the programme is aimed at on the entry form.
4. COMEDY:  Entries to this category may include situation comedy, sketch shows and any other scripted comedy. This excludes panel shows.
5. CURRENT AFFAIRS: Entries should demonstrate journalistic integrity and subject matter should be presented in an investigative and/or immediate manner.
6. DRAMA SERIES:  An episode from a drama series, serial, or soap. The episode in competition will reflect both story and character development. The submission should be accompanied by a brief episode context in addition to the series’ synopsis. Entrants must include series and episode number in the synopsis.
7. ENTERTAINMENT:  This category is open to variety shows, quiz shows, panel shows etc. 
8. FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT: Entries invited from lifestyle, magazine/discussion and formatted documentary - reality.  Programmes or series in which a situation or topic is treated or created through real people or which tell their story by following real-life characters. Stand-alone single programmes or one episode from a series may be entered.
9. FACTUAL SERIES: More than one factual programme linked through a unified approach, narrative or the thematic development of a subject matter. Only one episode of a series may be entered. Entrants must include series and episode number in the synopsis.
10. FEATURE DOCUMENTARY: A nonfiction motion picture with a running time of 61 minutes or more. It will predominantly be composed of documentary footage but it may also employ partial reenactment, stock footage, archive, stills, animation, stop-motion or other techniques, as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction. Dramatised factual subjects will not qualify as documentaries.
11. HISTORY: For documentaries that focus on historical events/people in history. Drama-Docs can also be included in this category.
12. LIVE MUSIC PROGRAMME: Entries to this category may include live music, live music events and music showcases. Any genre of music is accepted. Programmes can be pre-recorded but must include an element of live music. 
13. SHORT DRAMA (up to 30 mins): Script and performance will be considered in addition to directorial skill and production values. Must not be a part of a series. Standalone productions only. 
14. SHORT FORM: Productions of all genres, up to and including 15 minutes in duration. Productions must have been published on an online platform, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn, Twitch, Pinterest, all Social Apps & Web Pages. Online channels are also included, eg RTÉ Player, IPlayer etc. Productions must have been published on these online channels before any traditional broadcast channels.
15. SINGLE DOCUMENTARY: For one-off documentaries of up to 60 minutes. Entries should offer a real insight to the world and the situation that they explore as well as demonstrating an appropriate style and approach, whether observational or scripted.  
16. SINGLE DRAMA (over 30 mins): One-off drama made for television, online or feature films made for theatrical release are accepted. Script and performance will be considered in addition to directorial skill and production values.
17. SPORTS DOCUMENTARY: Programmes that capture or celebrate the personalities of sport - of the sport itself or of sporting individuals involved at whatever level.  Eligible programmes will place emphasis on the passion and spirit of sport and not on event coverage.  Programmes based on archive footage will be eligible. 

SOUND:

Sound productions can have been published on any audio broadcasting platform, including but not limited to traditional radio, digital platforms such as BBC Sounds, iTunes, and any podcast platform.

18. COMEDY: Entries will be considered from all forms of Comedy; sketch shows, panels shows, sitcoms etc. Recordings of stand-up shows are not eligible. 
19. DOCUMENTARY:  A one-off documentary that demonstrates creative use of the medium in story-telling, analysis of subject matter and production values.  Minimum speech content of 70% is required (where the documentary is a music documentary, speech content of no less than 50% is required).
20. DRAMA: Entries to this category will reflect excellence in scripted radio fiction, this includes original single dramas, an episode from a drama series or adaptations. Script and performance will be considered, as well as overall story and character development. 
21. ENTERTAINMENT: Entries will be considered from a wide range of programming, such as magazine shows, panel shows, Morning shows and drivetime programmes. Includes Phone-ins. Entries should be a standalone unedited episode (not a compilation).
22. FACTUAL SERIES: More than one factual programme linked through a unified approach, narrative or the thematic development of a subject matter. Subject matter can include but is not limited to crime, science, lifestyle and discussions around societal issues. Only one episode of a series may be entered.
23. HISTORY: For audio documentaries that focus on historical events/people in history.
24. MUSIC PROGRAMME: Entries should be programmes that are specifically dedicated to a particular genre of music. Any genre of music is accepted. This is a category for programmes that has a specialist music remit. Consideration given to the relevance of the music selection and the presenter’s input. This category does not include documentaries on music. 
25.  PRESENTER OF THE YEAR: This category celebrates Celtic talent on radio.  Entries are expected from both factual and entertainment genres and require demonstration of skill in two ways.  Entrants should enter a compilation, not exceeding 1hr in duration, containing at least 5 examples of the individual's best work throughout the year and representing work during the year that best demonstrates broadcast skills including innovation and creativity, conveying information and excellent production values.
26. RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: Entries must be compilations that celebrate a station's successes and highlights from the 1st of November 2022 to the 31st of October 2023.  Compilations must not exceed 1 hour and must be unedited examples of output, to include at least 5 examples of the best of the year. The Festival is seeking to award excellence; a station's accord with its audience, its energy, diversity and the continuing quality of production.
An application form must be completed and uploaded to the submission which will include a short supporting statement stating the station's aims and highlights of 2023, a weekly schedule with programme details and any additional information thought to be relevant to the competition and not already included.  Application forms can be downloaded here.
27. SPORTS PROGRAMME: This category celebrates any programme whose editorial content is specifically dedicated to coverage and or discussion of sporting events and/or issues.

All entries must be submitted online through the Celtic Media Festival website at https://celticmediafestival.awardstage.com/. If this is not possible, please contact the Celtic Media Festival offices. Entries close on Thursday 31st of October at 5PM.

Entry Form:

Entries must be submitted to the festival before the Call for Entries deadline via the festival’s online entry system.

It is important for Festival organisers to have accurate contact information for film and programme producers; entry details must be completed fully.  It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide complete, accurate information about the entry.  The Celtic Media Festival shall not be liable for errors or omissions in the entry forms nor in any subsequent use of this information in the nominations announcement including, but not limited to, broadcast, online, social media, print and advertising.

Video/Audio file submission:

Each entry must submit a complete programme/film/production in mp4 or mp3 format*.

Links to view the submission on other platforms will not be accepted.

Clip submission:

Each video entry must submit a 30 second video clip. The clip format can be mp4 or mov*.

Each audio entry must submit a 20 second audio clip in mp3 format*.

Promos will not be accepted for any categories.

Image:

By providing the images, you grant Celtic Media Festival all necessary rights and consents (including but not limited to rights of publicity and privacy) to enable Celtic Media Festival to use the imagery in whole, or in part, and to edit the same, in such manner and for such purpose as is relevant to the nomination, including, but not limited to, broadcast, online, social media, print and advertising

Payment:

Payment should be made online securely via Stripe at the time of entry.

Documents:

Radio Station of the Year and Presenter of the Year entries must fill out an application form. This should be uploaded to the entry form.

Subtitling / Radio Transcripts:

All Celtic and French language entries MUST be subtitled in English. 

Radio transcripts into English of Celtic and French language Radio programmes must be submitted within 10 days of notification of a nomination. The festival requests the first 5 minutes and the final 3 minutes are transcribed into English including timecodes and for the rest of the programme to be summarised. This is the minimum required however it is highly recommended to provide the jury with a full programme transcript in English.

Please note entries not complying with this rule will be disqualified.

Each entry must have been paid for online or by bank transfer after receipt of an invoice. The CMF entry fee covers administration costs relating to cataloguing and reviewing each work and entitles the entrant to complementary inclusion of their film/programme in the CMF DVD and audio library regardless of whether the entry is selected for the Festival competition. Only entries accompanied by an entry fee will be considered.

If an entry does not comply with entry rules, or if it is deemed ineligible for any other reason, then it will be disqualified.  The Festival regrets that entry fees will not be refunded for disqualified entries.

Screen

National juries in Scotland, Ireland and Wales will the best films and programmes from national entries. At least 1/3 of these productions must be wholly or partly in a Celtic language.

National Screen Juries will follow these guidelines:

• Each jury will comprise at least three members excluding the Chairman.
• A member of the Celtic Media Festival Board of Directors will chair each national jury if possible.
• Wherever possible each national jury will include a serving or former member of the Celtic Media Festival Board of Directors from one of the other member nations/regions.
• Any jury member directly connected with the production of an entry is precluded from viewing and adjudication of that entry.

SOUND

National Sound juries in Scotland, Ireland and Wales will select the best sound/audio programmes from across the following categories: Documentary, Comedy, Drama, Magazine Show, Sports and Music Programme (Live); and a further one from the Radio Presenter of the Year category. Where possible. least 1/3 of these productions must be wholly or partly in a Celtic language. Radio Station of the Year nominees and winner will be chosen by the International Sound Jury.

National Sound Juries will follow these guidelines:

• Sound juries will be made up of no less than three members.

• Jury members must be competent in the relevant Celtic language.

• Any jury member directly connected with the production of an entry is precluded from listening and adjudication of that entry.

Regional

In Cornwall, Brittany, Isle of Man and Galicia, there will be one jury of 3 people deciding on both the screen and the sound entries. If there are two or less entries in a category, jurors must confirm whether or not each entry is of a suitable standard to go on and be judged by the international jury. One of the shortlisted entries must be wholly or partly in a Celtic language, where possible.

CONFIRMATION OF ENTRIES NOMINATED will be made by Spring 2025.

6. INTERNATIONAL JURIES

The international juries for Screen and Radio review national/regional nominees in advance of the Festival.  They will watch and listen to every production and will make the final selections for each of the Torc Awards.

Torc Awards for Excellence: This will be presented to the best production in each of the festival categories in Sound and Screen: 
SCREEN: Animation; Arts; Children’s Programme; Comedy; Current Affairs; Drama Series; Entertainment; Factual Entertainment; Factual Series; Feature Documentary; History; Live Music Programme;Short Drama (Up to 30 Mins); Short Form; Single Documentary; Single Drama (Over 30 Mins) and Sports Documentary
SOUND: Comedy; Documentary; Entertainment; Factual Series, History, Music Programme; Presenter of the Year; Radio Station of the Year and Sports Programme.

Spirit of the Festival Award:  The Gold Torc will be presented to a screen wholly or substantially in a Celtic language.  It is the only award reserved to promote Celtic languages on film and television.

Certificate:  Winner/Nominee certificates can be ordered through the Festival Office.

• To withhold any award if submissions are not considered to be of suitably high standard.
• Not to select the full number of entries permitted at nomination stage at the National Jury

All entries must be in the following format:

Full Video Programme: mp4 or mov

Full Audio Programme: mp3

Video Clip: mp4 or mov

Audio Clip: mp3 or wav

Image: jpg or png

An image representing the production/website/app (stills, company logo etc) MUST be provided on when entering.

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Landscape
File Format: Jpg or PNG
Image examples: Promo image, Production Still, Radio Presenter Headshot (Landscape)

All materials submitted for selection shall be retained for broadcast for the duration of the Festival. 

Except by prior arrangement, all entries by virtue of their submission shall be available for public performance during the Festival without fee.  A sequence of up to 2 minutes or the clip provided (30 second excerpts) from each selected entry shall be available to television and radio for the purpose of review of individual items or review of the Festival.  The rights holders of the selected films/programmes authorise free reproduction of stills and clips for all festival publications, press, social media, online and television coverage. Your signature on the entry form confirms acceptance of the rules of the Celtic Media Festival and that you own the production or are authorised by the owner to submit the entry under the conditions specified in the CMF Entry Rules and Guidelines. The entrant, therefore, is entitled to grant CMF the right to copy and use a sequence of up to 2 minutes and to include such extracts in any television broadcast or any other distribution medium or publication in connection with the CMF and Awards. This includes use for publicity and promotional purposes together with the right to authorise others to do any of the foregoing for the use of CMF. CMF reserves the right to broadcast shortlisted entries on the website from the date the nominees are announced. This would be on a log in basis for registered delegates only. CMF also reserves the right to show all productions on a password protected platform for up to a month after Celtic Media Festival 2023. This is in lieu of, or in addition to, Celtic Media Festival’s DVD Library. Individual circumstances will be considered. 

All films and programmes entered into competition will be available for viewing online via a delegate login and/or at the DVD Library throughout the festival.

12. DEADLINE

ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY 5PM, THURSDAY 31ST OF OCTOBER 2024.

13. CONTACT

Queries regarding the competition should be made to:

Catriona Logan - Festival Director
catriona@celticmediafestival.co.uk
+44 (0)141 406 4570

Naomi Henry-Wright - Festival Manager
naomi@celticmediafestival.co.uk
+44 (0)141 406 4570

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