Telly Awards opens 47th annual call for entries

The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honour for video and television across all screens, opens its 47th Annual Call for Entries with the theme “Capture the Original.” 

This year's season celebrates what’s possible when authentic ideas intersect with the expanding potential of new tools and technologies. At a moment of rapid change across media, the Tellys invite creators to showcase how they transform inspiration into innovation while embracing the unprecedented possibilities of today’s creative landscape.

“Our industry is expanding faster than ever, from creators moving from niche platforms to streaming and Generative AI fast-tracking ideas from sketch to launch,” said Amanda Needham, Managing Director of The Telly Awards. “We’re creating categories for the work being made right now, because there should be meaningful recognition for the creativity defining this new era of video.”

To reflect the evolving landscape, the Telly Awards have introduced a suite of new categories across Generative AI, Creator, Animation, and Digital Out-of-Home spaces. Expansions across B2B, Documentary, and Branded Content include Brand Activation, Event Opener and Mental Health, further highlighting the depth and diversity of contemporary storytelling. This year’s additions include categories for Vertical Video, True Crime, Micro-Content, Performance Marketing, Pop Culture & Commentary, Crisis Communication, Union or Trade Organisation, Creator & Host, and New Voices in Film & Shorts.

In a major development, the Tellys have integrated the Collision Awards into the global Telly Awards family, broadening opportunities for animation and motion design and expanding the program’s presence in the animation and VFX community. To mark the launch of the new animation categories, The Tellys welcome Animation World Network (AWN), the internet’s most trusted animation and VFX resource for over 26 years, and Skwigly, the UK’s longest-running animation magazine, as new partners. They join returning collaborators Portrait, Kinema, Seed&Spark, RunwayML AI Film Festival, Film Fatales, NAB, Stash Media, ReelAbilities Film Festival, FWD-Doc, LAPPG, Production Hub, and The Gotham in supporting the Telly’s mission to connect and celebrate creative excellence across industries.

The Telly Awards Judging Council reflects the diverse and global nature of creativity. Among this year’s new judges are Tamara Kruger, Head of Creator Strategy and Content, YouTube, Alice Ma, Co-Founder and CEO, Mad Realities, Phil Cook, Chief Marketing Officer, WNBA, Janet Graham Borba, EVP of Production, HBO, David E. Cid, Head of Experiential Marketing, Remezcla, Steve Eddy, Director of Production, Netflix, Lauren Moraski, Senior Director, Content Studio & Creative, PepsiCo, Warren Cohen, VP and Head of Video and Audio, New York Post, Liz Biber, Head of Content PR, The Lede Company, Allyson West, Founder and Executive Director, Cindependent Festival, Paige Bright, Director of Brand Marketing, Gotham FC, Kate Pfetsch, VP of Brand Partnerships, Blink49, Farra Kober, VP of Content, BBC Storyworks, Eric Cunningham, Writer, Nickelodeon, Marielle Bob, VP of Content, Shoptalk, Carlton Jared Lockett, Head of Strategy, My Code, Natasha Louckevitch, Head of Production, Bully Pulpit, and Alexandra Roberts, Commissioning Editor of Documentaries, TVO, Greg Ciaccio, VP of Post Production, IMAX.