The AICP Show, The Art & Technique of the Commercial, is more than just an awards show judging the best work of the year. It's an ongoing archival project with cultural and artistic significance. Since the Show's inception in 1992, the honored work is 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. All individual works and each year's shows in their entirety can be viewed exclusively at www.aicpawards.com, the AICP Awards Archive website. The AICP Show is judged by close to 400 advertising and production professionals and is assembled by a curatorial panel of prominent industry leaders. Work entered in the AICP Show categories may have been produced or aired anywhere in the world.
Please note case studies should not be entered for any of these AICP Show categories. Only the work as aired will be accepted. Airing is defined as a commercial release, commissioned by a client, for television, theater, the Internet, mobile phone, or any other medium/screen able to deliver motion picture imagery .
The exception to the airing requirement is the Student Commercial category, which must have been produced during the eligibility period and cannot have aired.
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Advertising Excellence
Exemplifies outstanding quality in concept, craft, and/or execution of a commercial.
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Advertising Excellence/Campaign
Two or three commercials in a campaign for the same brand or product which exemplify outstanding quality in concept, craft, and/or execution.
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Animation
Excellence in Animation. Styles can range from photorealistic to stylized or cartoon-like and include CGI, stop-motion, cel-animation or any other technique that allows an artist to create a performance. In the case of creatures or characters, consideration should be given to performance and acting.
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Best New Director
The director's contribution, encompassing all areas of craft, in bringing imagination, innovation and vision to an idea. Directors must have no more than three years professional experience in commercials/music videos and cannot have been previously honored with a director credit in the AICP Awards with the exception of the Student Commercial category. The work entered must be a commercial or music video, that was commissioned by a client.
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Cause
Content produced by a brand promoting corporate responsibility and social good. NOTE - Content produced by non-profit or governmental agencies to disseminate information or promote services which serve the public interest are NOT eligible in this category. Such pieces can be entered into the Public Service Announcement category.
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Cinematography
The director of photography's mastery of technique and unique visual style which complements the concept; may include Tabletop.
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Concept
Excellence in concept, visual style and language.
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Design
Excellence in design including but not limited to motion graphics, typography and illustration. Consideration should be given to the use of original ideas to emphasize aesthetic style and functionality.
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Direction
The director's contribution, encompassing all areas of craft, in bringing imagination, innovation and vision to an idea.
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Editorial
The editor's contribution to the overall feeling/tone and effectiveness of the commercial.
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Humor
Use of comedic writing, performances, and visuals.
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Licensed Soundtrack or Arrangement
Most creative, impactful use of licensed music whether in a previously released format/performance or as an original adaptation for this usage.
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Music Video
Content featuring the performance of a song for the promotion of a musician or musical group that exemplifies outstanding quality in concept, craft, and/or execution. (A music video that integrates the promotion of a brand, may be entered in any category including Music Video).
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Original Music
The original score, jingle, or musical soundtrack.
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Performance
The casting, direction and performance of talent.
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Production
Excellence in the complexities or appropriateness of executions by the production team as a whole.
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Production Design
The originality and style of set design/art direction, location dressing, and wardrobe.
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Public Service Announcement
Commercials produced for non-profit or governmental agencies to disseminate information or promote services which serve the public interest. No commercial products, services or corporate names may be referenced or shown in PSAs. NOTE - Content produced by a brand is NOT eligible in this category. Such pieces should be entered into the Cause category.
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Sound Design
The inventive and artistic use of sound effects, voices, and/or music elements to match and heighten the visual images.
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Student Commercial
A commercial that must have been produced in conjunction with a school course at an accredited university (not a continuing education style course) for an actual product or cause. NOTE - This commercial cannot have aired and must be entirely student created.
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Visual Effects
The creation and seamless integration of unique visual elements from multiple sources including live action, matte painting, miniatures, practical elements, and CGI. The emphasis is on photoreal excellence rather than on the use of animation techniques.
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Visual Style
The director's use of visual elements: set design, location, art direction, styling, and cinematography.
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The AICP Next Awards recognize outstanding work and the creative forces behind it but are much more than an Awards competition - it is a platform for thought leadership and analysis. Annually, the Next Awards seeks out the work that defies convention, and effectively utilizes new technologies, as well as storytelling. The honored work is 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. All individual works and each year's shows in their entirety can be viewed exclusively at www.aicpawards.com, the AICP Awards Archive website.
Please note, case studies are appropriate to enter in the AICP Next Awards categories with the exception of the Web Film category where the actual film should be entered. Work entered in the AICP Next Awards categories may have been produced or aired anywhere in the world. Airing is defined as a commercial release, commissioned by a client, for television, theater, the Internet, mobile phone, or any other medium/screen able to deliver motion picture imagery .
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Branded Content & Entertainment: Standalone/Single Execution
This category honors original content created by or for a brand that is audience-first and not designed to appear in traditional interruptive ad formats. The content can be created in partnership with entertainment or media companies, or directly by the brand. Media can include: mobile; gaming; TV; and film. (Submit case study or actual piece).
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Branded Content & Entertainment: Series/Episodic
This category honors original content created by or for a brand that is audience-first and not designed to appear in traditional interruptive ad formats that was released in multiple episodes, parts or ongoing series. The content can be created in partnership with entertainment or media companies, or directly by the brand. Media can include: mobile; gaming; TV; and film. (Must submit at least one full episode. You may also submit a case study, trailer, and/or additional episodes).
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Creative Commerce
This category recognizes the creative approach (at any point) of the end-to-end customer journey that led to increased consumer engagement and commercial success. (Submit case study)
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Creative Data
Brand-based messages where data or data-driven methods are a critical component of the creative execution and/or delivery including, but not limited to, interactivity and personalization. (Submit case study)
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Digital Experiences
Honors brand presence via interactive engagement, whether thru desktop, mobile devices, or other screens, including websites and mobile apps. (Submit case study and URL where applicable).
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Experiential
Brand promotion created for display media and audience interaction, including (but not limited to) the utilization of any screen, technology, architecture or performance, as well as live experiences staged for an active audience, live commercials, or events. These environments and media content can be temporary or permanent. (Submit case study or actual piece).
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Influencer
Strategic and creative selection, and use, of influencers (both large and small reach) to support brands in partnerships, social messaging and/or integration into larger campaigns. (Submit case study).
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Innovation
This category honors breakthrough solutions created for brands using technology creatively (can be software and/or hardware), including brand-based projects of virtual or real-and-virtual combined environments. (Submit case study or actual piece).
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Integrated Campaign
Innovative brand promotion across any media platform. Material that exemplifies outstanding quality and ingenuity in concept and execution. Entries must include multiple complimentary executions, that work together to achieve a cohesive brand message. (Submit case study).
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Public Relations
The power of earned media. The work should have storytelling at its core and tap into culture to enhance the reputation and business of a brand. (Submit case study)
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Purpose Driven
An innovative approach to promote or facilitate a cause, charity or nonprofit entity associated with a brand, product or service. (Submit case study or actual piece).
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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)
Social/Real Time Engagement is a new category for 2026
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Web Film
Film based brand experiences enhanced by viewing on an online platform. Can contain social "Stories", Pre-Roll, and any other web video content, whether in vertical or horizontal format. (Submit actual piece as released).
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Please click on a category to view the definition.
The AICP Post Awards recognize the best in editing, audio mixing, sound design, color grading, graphic design, visual effects and finishing. In addition, Best of Region winners are presented as the best work emanating from companies submitting in each AICP Chapter Region (East, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West). Submission that are not from one of those specific regions will not be considered for a Best of Region award.
Only the work as aired will be accepted. Airing is defined as a commercial release, commissioned by a client, for television, theater, the Internet, mobile phone, or any other medium/screen able to deliver motion picture imagery .
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Audio Mix :60 and Under
Excellence as demonstrated through the effective relationship of dialogue, voice over, sound design and/or music, to picture which has a length of anything up to, and including :60. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified.
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Audio Mix Over :60
Excellence as demonstrated through the effective relationship of dialogue, voice over, sound design and/or music, to picture which has a length of anything over :60. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified.
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Sound Design :60 and Under
Excellence as demonstrated through the creation, manipulation and treatment of sound effects and other audio elements which has a length of anything up to, and including :60. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified.
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Sound Design Over :60
Excellence as demonstrated through the creation, manipulation and treatment of sound effects and other audio elements which has a length of anything over :60. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified.
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Color Grading Under :60
Excellence in the use of image color, balance and "look" as applied to work which has a length less than :60. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified (:60 entries belong in Color Grading :60 to :90).
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Color Grading :60 To :90
Excellence in the use of image color, balance and "look" as applied to work which has a length of anything at least :60 and up to, and including :90. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified (:60's and :90's belong in this category).
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Color Grading Over :90
Excellence in the use of image color, balance and "look" as applied to work which has a length more than :90. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified (:90 entries belong in Color Grading :60 to :90).
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Color Grading Music Video
Excellence in the use of image color, balance and "look" promoting a piece of music which was commissioned by the artist or label, not by a brand or advertiser.
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CGI
Excellence in crafting a 3D digital-only sequence or piece. **Please include a "making of" or CGI Breakdown video (under 2 minutes) and/or a short-written explanation of the work performed as it greatly assists in the judging process. Descriptive materials must not include the name of individuals or the facilities that did the work. See the FAQ for details.
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Character Design
Excellence in either 2D or 3D character design & animation. **Please include a "making of" video or CGI Breakdown (under 2 minutes) and/or a short-written explanation of the work performed as it greatly assists in the judging process. Descriptive materials must not include the name of individuals or the facilities that did the work. See the FAQ for details.
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Compositing
Excellence in the integration of two or more distinct and separate pieces of imagery (at least one of which is practical). **Please include a "making of" or CGI Breakdown video (under 2 minutes) and/or a short-written explanation of the work performed as it greatly assists in the judging process. Descriptive materials must not include the name of individuals or the facilities that did the work. See the FAQ for details.
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Motion Graphics & Design
Excellence in 2D and/or 3D design & animation, including motion graphics, typography & title animation. **Please include a "making of" video or CGI Breakdown (under 2 minutes) and/or a short-written explanation of the work performed as it greatly assists in the judging process. Descriptive materials must not include the name of individuals or the facilities that did the work. See the FAQ for details.
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Automotive
Editorial excellence in the messaging for an automotive brand
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Cause Marketing/PSA
Editorial excellence in delivering a moving and effective, socially responsible message.
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Comedy
Editorial excellence in storytelling using comedic elements.
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Dialogue/Monologue/Spoken Word
Editorial excellence in the use of rhythm and pace of the spoken word, either on- or off-camera, and their impact on the overall storytelling of the spot.
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Docu-Style
Editorial excellence in documentary-style techniques and real (or faux- real) events, places and people.
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Editorial :30
Editorial Excellence in any style/genre/budget which has a length of exactly :30 seconds. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified
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Editorial :60
Editorial Excellence in any style/genre/budget which has a length of exactly :60 seconds. If the entry's running time does not meet the requirement it will be disqualified
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Fashion/Beauty
Editorial excellence in the messaging for a fashion or beauty product or brand.
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Montage
Editorial excellence relying on the intentional technique and usage of picture and/or sound as the most influential element to deliver their message effectively.
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Music Video
Editorial excellence in promoting a piece of music which was commissioned by the artist or label, not by a brand or advertiser.
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National Campaign
Editorial excellence of two to three unique spots created for a national campaign which deliver a more persuasive message together than separately. In order to be eligible, entries cannot be cutdowns or versions of any other spots being entered in the category.
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Storytelling
Editorial excellence in the crafting of a compelling narrative. Technique of Storytelling can be linear or non-linear and is not exclusive to a genre.
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