Details for the 2023 awards will be announced soon

2022 Criteria

Submissions Were Due June 13

The Event Planning Committee has voted, and the GSCA Executive Committee has provided feedback as well, and we are moving forward with the following revised plan. We will present awards for each year the ceremony was not held (2020 and 2021) as well as 2022, using the standard eligibility period we have used in the past

• Films released between June 1, 2019–May 31, 2020, are eligible for the 2020 awards categories
• Films released between June 1, 2020–May 31, 2021, are eligible for the 2021 awards categories
• Films released between June 1, 2021–May 31, 2022, are eligible for the 2022 awards categories
• If a film is released within 60 days of the eligibility period, between April 1–May 31 of its eligibility year, the film can choose to defer to the following year.

Click here for a list of films based on their eligibility for 2020, 20201, and 2022. 

Please note that distributors must submit film titles for each category in which they wish to compete. No film is automatically eligible for any category. The deadline to submit is June 13.

Important Deadlines

• June 13: Film award submission forms due
• June 27: Film files due for virtual screening
• June 27: Materials for ballot due
• July 6-20: Films available virtually to voters for awards consideration
• July 6: Ballot sent to member key contacts
• July 20: Award ballots due
• July 20: Materials for awards ceremony due from distributors (film awards and marketing/education recognition)

​Click here for a list of materials we need to include your film on the ballot and in the awards ceremony

Award Categories

Best Film, Short Subject

• Must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.

Best Film, Feature Length

One film will be awarded the Best Film, Feature Length. To be eligible, films:

Best Film for Lifelong Learning

One film, which best represents the development and presentation of giant screen film experiences from a lifelong learning point of view, will be awarded the Best Film for Lifelong Learning. To be eligible, films:

• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.

Criteria below set by the Lifelong Learning Committee will guide voters in their selection:

• The film conveys useful information and/or dispels misconceptions and encourages reflective/critical thinking
• The film introduces new roles and perspectives
• The film uses familiar starting points but stretches viewer interests and extends their knowledge
• The film is entertaining and compelling
• The film motivates viewer interest in the film’s topic
• The film provides a variety of experiences to meet the needs of viewers of different ages and from different backgrounds
• The film provides effective educational resources for further learning
• The film aspires to be meaningful to multinational audiences and languages

Best Visual Effects

One film will be awarded the Best Visual Effects. To be eligible, films:

• Must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA

Voters should consider overall achievement of the visual effects within the film where the visual effects are a visible, essential, and integral part of the story, and the artistry, skill, and fidelity with which the visual illusions are achieved.

​Best Cinematography

One film will be awarded the Best Cinematography. To be eligible, films:

• Must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.

Best Sound Design

One film will be awarded the Best Sound Design. To be eligible, films:

• Must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.

Best Original Score

• Must be 60 minutes or under in run time.
• Films are eligible for the GSCA Film Awards one year. If the release of a film (first playing of film in a public performance) falls within 60 days of the deadline for eligibility, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
• Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.

Voters should consider the instrumental music created expressly for the film, which underscores the action and supports its dramatic needs. A great score is one that provides dramatic power, humor, thematic beauty, emotional impact, and/or any other musical attribute of significance to the film.