How to Enter the AICP Awards

Create an AICP Awards Entry Site Account -

Go to https://aicpawards.awardcore.com
Click "Sign In/Register" in the upper left-hand corner.

Note - You will need to create a new account on the AICP Awards Entry Site each year.
Fill in the required fields to create your new account then click "Submit."

Create A New Entry

Click "Create A New Entry" https://aicpawards.awardcore.com/newEntry

Check the two text boxes to accept the Terms & Conditions.

Next, scroll down and select the AICP Awards Category you would like to enter.

Categories are listed for the AICP Next Awards, the AICP Post Awards, and the AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the Commercial.
You can view category descriptions by clicking the "More" link to the right of each category in the list.

Then scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Submit."

Fill in the credit information for your entry.

Any field with a pink asterisk (*) indicates a mandatory credit.

If a mandatory credit doesn't apply to your entry, enter N/A.
If your work is shortlisted in its category and qualifies for final judging, you will be notified to go back into the entry website to review, add, and finalize credits.

Note

Review the video file technical specifications, then scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Choose File."

If you are not ready to upload your video, you can click "Upload Later."

Note - You also have the option to "Import credits from EntryBot encoded file"

EntryBot is an outside service that can help you format your video file to the above technical specifications if needed.

After you have selected your file, click "Upload"

A pop-up window will appear.

Note -Your video file must not have any of the following or it will be rejected during the Quality Check (QC) process:

Slate
Countdown
2 pop (ex. the pop noise and 2 seconds of black before the spot begins)
Credits

Click "Upload" and a progress bar will appear.

When your video is done uploading, you will return to the Entries page and your entry will now appear in the "Pending Entries" section.

Entry Management Page

In the Pending Entries section, on the right-hand side of your entry under "Action," you have the following options:

Edit - Make changes to your pending entry
Add to Other Categories - Click this button if you would like to submit this entry into multiple categories.

Entrants can submit a single entry into multiple categories across all three AICP Awards shows. Discounted entry fee pricing is available if you enter a single entry into three or more categories.
All entries must be finalized at the same time in order to receive the discount pricing.

Delete - Delete your pending entry

Adding a Single Entry into Multiple Categories

Click "Add to Other Categories" on the pending entry you would like to submit into another category.
On the next page, check off the category/categories that you would like to add your pending entry into.

You can enter a single entry into multiple categories across all the AICP Awards shows.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Submit."
On the next page, you will now see all of your pending entries for the categories that you selected.

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Mandatory credits will vary depending on the category.

For example, a Sound Design category will require the credit information for the Sound Designer.

To add in the missing information, click "Edit". You will then return to the credits page where you can enter the missing information.

When you are finished, click "Submit" to return to the Entries page.

Finalizing Entries

When you are ready to finalize your entries, check off the entries you would like to finalize.
Then click "Finalize Entry." You will then be taken to the Order page.

You will see a breakdown of your entry and upload fees for your order.
You can view the Entry Fees for the AICP Awards on the "Eligibility/Fees" page of the AICP Awards Entry Site.

Checkout Page

At the top of the page there is a breakdown of your entry and upload fees for your order.

You can view the Entry Fees for the AICP Awards on the "Eligibility/Fees" page of the AICP Awards Entry Site.

You can pay your Entry Fees using the following payment methods:

Credit Card - Credit card orders will be assessed a 3.25% processing fee.
Check
Wire Transfer - Sender is responsible for all wire transfer fees from the Sender's bank.

Once you have selected your payment method, click "Submit."

If you select pay by Credit Card, you will be asked for your card information.

Your payment address must exactly match the address on file with your financial institution.

If you select pay by Check, you will be taken to an Order Information page that will provide you with instructions on where to mail your check.
If you select pay by Wire Transfer, you will be taken to an Order Information page that will provide you with wire transfer instructions.

You will then receive an email with your Entry Order receipt.

Important Payment Notes

All payments must be received by AICP by the Entry Deadline or late fees will be incurred.

If your payment is not received by the Late Entry Deadline, your submissions will not be entered into the AICP Awards.

Supporting Material -

Attaching Supporting Material to an Entry

After you have created your entry, click the corresponding Supporting Materials option on the right-hand side of the entry under the "Action" column.

Depending on the category, the option could be:

Add/Update PDF of Script or Board
Add/Update "Making Of"

When you click on one of the above options, you will be taken to an upload page.

Click "Choose File," and select the "Making of" or CGI/VFX Breakdown video that you would like to upload. Then click "Upload."

You will see a progress bar and then return to the Entries page.

Note - If you need to add a Written Explanation, click "Edit" to return to the credits page.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Technical Explanation" field and enter your description there. Then click "Submit."

Entrants can add Supporting Material to entries in specific categories in the AICP Show and AICP Post Awards.

Note - Supporting Materials must not include any credits or the name of individuals or the facilities that created the work.

Supporting Material Types

"Making of" video

Video should not exceed 2 minutes

CGI Breakdown Video

Video should not exceed 2 minutes

Written Explanation
- A written explanation should not exceed 300 words.
PDF of Script or Boards

AICP Post Awards - Supporting Material Categories

CGI - "Making Of" Video or CGI Breakdown Video, and/or Written Explanation.
Character Design - "Making Of" Video or CGI Breakdown Video, and/or Written Explanation.
Compositing - "Making Of" Video or CGI Breakdown Video, and/or Written Explanation.
Motion Graphics & Design - "Making Of" Video or CGI Breakdown Video, and/or Written Explanation.

AICP Show - Supporting Material Categories

Animation - "Making Of" video.
Concept - Scripts or Boards.
Design - "Making Of" video.
Production Design - "Making Of" Video or Written Explanation.
Visual Effects - "Making Of" Video.

AICP Awards Entry Kit
What's New For 2026
AICP Awards Judging Process
AICP Awards Premieres
AICP Awards Archive

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Click here to download the AICP Awards Entry Kit.

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AICP Next Awards: Updated Categories

The Real Time Engagement and Social categories have been combined into one category. Here is the revised category description:

Social/Real Time Engagement - Brand promotion utilizing social media channels. This can include utilizing a platform to participate in real time events in a way that inserts the brand voice into a current event, happening or dialogue. (Submit case study or actual piece).

AICP Show: Music Video Eligibility Change

Music Videos are no longer eligible for entry into the craft categories unless the piece integrates the promotion of a brand.

The craft categories include Animation, Cinematography, Design, Direction, Editorial, Performance, Production, Production Design, Visual Effects, and Visual Style.

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The AICP Awards have a bifurcated Judging Process. It consists of category judging followed by a meeting of a Curatorial Committee.

AICP Awards Judging Process

Judges review all of the entries in their specific category and their scores determine the Shortlist. They are prohibited from voting on their own work.

The AICP Post Awards and AICP Show Judges are nominated by global Awards Committee. The AICP Next Awards Judges are selected by category Jury Presidents.

There are 60 categories across all three AICP Award shows. Each category is judged by a cross section of advertising professionals, influential industry leaders, and craftspeople from across the world.

Click below to view a list of the 2025 AICP Awards Judges.

2025 AICP Next Awards Judges
2025 AICP Post Awards Judges
2025 AICP Show Judges

AICP Awards Curatorial Process

Once category judging is complete, Curatorial Committees meet in-person to determine the final disposition of each show.

The Curatorial Committees review all of the category Shortlists. They determine the winners of each category while looking at the award show as a whole entity. At its discretion, the Curatorial Committee may limit or eliminate recognition of any category in which entries are not consistent with the standards of quality that the shows require.

AICP Post Awards and AICP Show Curators are selected by the Chair of each award show and represent a cross-section of the industry.

The Curators of the AICP Next Awards are the Jury Presidents and Curators-at-Large, all selected by the AICP Next Awards Judging Chair.

Click below to view a list of the 2025 AICP Awards Curators.

2025 AICP Next Awards Curators
2025 AICP Post Awards Curators
2025 AICP Show Curators

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AICP Week 2026 will take place from Tuesday, June 2nd - Thursday, June 4th, 2026 in New York

The event series includes:

Premiere screenings of the AICP Next Awards, AICP Post Awards, and the AICP Show in the Film Center at The Museum of Modern Art.
AICP Week Base Camp - A thought leadership series featuring panels from industry influencers discussing creativity, new technology, and business affairs issues.
AICP Awards Gala at The Museum of Modern - At this black-tie event after a screening of winners, attendees enjoy a reception in the Sculpture Garden and galleries of MoMA.

Following the premieres in New York, the AICP Awards go on tour, with screenings, panel discussion and celebrations in museums and historical theaters in the following cities:
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Hong Kong
- Los Angeles
- Mexico City
- Minneapolis
- San Francisco
- Warsaw

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Each year, the AICP Awards are preserved in The Museum of Modern Art's Department of Film's state of the art archives for future generations to study and are available for use or exhibition by the museum's curators.

The winning entries are transferred onto Kodak film to be preserved in MoMA's archive as that is the most stable format for archiving moving images.

The archive dates back to the AICP Show's inception in 1992. It includes all winning work from the AICP Next Awards (2009-present), AICP Post Awards (2006-present), and the AICP Show (1992-present).

All individual works (including searchable credits) and each year's shows in their entirety can be viewed exclusively at www.aicpawards.com, the AICP Awards Archive website, at no cost.