This year, the Television Academy Foundation has made some changes in order to align the College Television Awards more closely with Emmy Awards Program categories and the current nature of television. You'll find that several of the genre categories are now genre series categories - Drama has become Drama Series, Comedy has become Comedy Series, and so on.

If you have made a short film, you are still welcome to submit! We encourage you to imagine how you might extend your film into a series. As part of your submission, you will be asked to submit synopses for two additional episodes in the series. These are synopses only - you are not required to produce these additional episodes, nor even have the intention of producing them. The judges want to see where you would take your story.

DRAMA SERIES
Award(s) to individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

A Drama Series consists of three or more episodes in which the ongoing theme, storyline and main characters are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision. A single episode (entrant's choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 words.

Episode length may not exceed sixty minutes.

COMEDY SERIES
Award(s) to individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

A Comedy Series consists of three or more episodes in which the ongoing theme, storyline and main characters are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision. A single episode (entrant's choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 words.

Episode length may not exceed sixty minutes.

ANIMATION SERIES
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Animation Director and whose functions support those credits

An Animation Series consists of three or more episodes in which the ongoing theme, storyline and main characters are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision. A single episode (entrant's choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 words.

Episode length may not exceed thirty minutes.

NONFICTION OR REALITY SERIES
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

Nonfiction series include anthology nonfiction series; in-depth and investigational programs primarily comprised of documentary or produced nonfiction content; unified story and overall show arc; series which are substantively told with documentary elements or produced nonfiction content.

Reality series include programs that contain consistent story elements driven by the actions of characters; competition elements that may give a prize or title, including game shows

A Nonfiction or Reality Series consists of three or more episodes and are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision. A single episode (entrant’s choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 words.

Episode length may not exceed sixty minutes

COMMERCIAL, PSA OR PROMO
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

A commercial, PSA or promo is eligible provided it is of 30 to 120 seconds in length.

NEWS
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

For live (to air or tape), regularly scheduled (daily or weekly) newscasts. Entire program (not to exceed sixty minutes) must be submitted.

SPORTS
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

For live (to air or tape), regularly scheduled (daily or weekly) sports coverage. Entire program (not to exceed sixty minutes) must be submitted.

VARIETY
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

This category is open to original variety series and specials.

Variety programming is generally defined to include talk shows, sketch programs, award shows and game shows.

Series entries: A Variety Series consists of three or more episodes in which the ongoing theme, performers or host are presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision. A single episode (entrant’s choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 word

Length of the episode or special being submitted may not exceed sixty minutes.

LOREEN ARBUS FOCUS ON DISABILITY
Award(s) individual(s) whose specific screen credit is Producer, Writer and Director and whose functions support those credits

The Loreen Arbus Focus of Disability Award recognizes a program that sheds light on people with disabilities by featuring a main character with a disability or helps emerging artists with a disability gain recognition. A single episode (entrant’s choice) is to be submitted for judging consideration. In order for the judges to understand the series context of the submitted episode, plot summaries of two additional episodes (that may or may not have been actually produced) must be additionally submitted. Each episode summary is not to exceed 125 words.

Entry length may not exceed sixty minutes.

For further questions, email ctasupport@televisionacademy.com.

updated 5.11.18