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Categories & Groups

These awards are all about showcasing your talent in the creative industry you dream of joining. In this article, we’ll break down the four main groups—Rookie of the Year, Career Opportunities, Film of the Year, and Game of the Year—and explore the awesome categories each one offers. Whether you’re into animation, game development, VFX, or something else, we’ve got the details you need to find the perfect fit for your skills and career goals. Let’s dive in and get you started on your path to recognition and success!

Rookie Awards Groups

The competition is organised into four main contest groups, each catering to different aspects of creative and technical excellence:

  1. Rookie of the Year – 12 categories including Visual Effects (VFX), Animation, Game Development, and more.
  2. Career Opportunities – 8 opportunities to launch your career through internships, mentorships, and other professional development programs.
  3. Film of the Year – 3 categories focused on animated and VFX short films.
  4. Game of the Year – 3 categories for fully completed games across various platforms.

1. Rookie of the Year (Your Main Entry)

Rookie of the Year (ROTY) is the primary group for individual artists. Each category within ROTY represents a different industry, such as Animation, VFX, and Game Development. Select the category that aligns with your career aspirations rather than just focusing on your current skills.

Example: If you're a 3D artist, decide whether your future lies in Animation, Game Development, or Visual Effects, and select the category that best reflects your career goals.

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ROTY serves as your portfolio entry, highlighting your individual strengths, unique skills, and vision within your chosen industry.

Rookie of the Year Categories:

  • 2D Animation: Projects created in two-dimensional formats, covering character animations, backgrounds, and other 2D animated content.
  • 3D Animation: Fully computer-generated films. Open to modelers, texture artists, animators, lighting artists, and specialists in 3D animated content suitable for high-quality animated films.
  • Concept Art: Visual concepts for films, games, or other media, including character, environment, and prop designs meant to convey ideas and themes for production.
  • Game Development: All disciplines involved in game production, including character design, coding, environments, FX, and other art and technical skills needed for game development.
  • Visual Effects (VFX): Artists creating assets and elements for film production, including modeling, CGI integration, realistic environments, and other visual effects suitable for film and TV.
  • Architectural Visualisation: Visualising building interiors and exteriors, landscaping, and urban planning, highlighting artists who bring architectural concepts to life.
  • Motion Graphics: Using motion design to convey messages, set moods, or create engaging content for media such as ads, title sequences, and informational videos.
  • Immersive Media: Content designed for VR and AR experiences, including interactive games, immersive simulations, and associated media.
  • Product & Industrial Design: Visualisation and design of products, furniture, gadgets, and industrial equipment, focusing on both creative innovation and practicality.
  • Web & App Design: Aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly websites and web applications, including UI/UX design, layout, and digital interface elements for online products.
  • Graphic Design: Visual communication through posters, branding, advertising, digital art, and other media that convey information effectively.
  • Digital Fashion: 3D virtual fashion designs, including clothing, accessories, and wearable art visualised in digital environments.

2. Career Opportunities (Optional Add-On to ROTY)

Designed for entrants seeking career-building experiences, such as internships or mentorships, within the industry. This add-on complements your ROTY entry by focusing on professional development.

It is recommended to include Career Opportunities as part of your ROTY entry to enhance your chances of industry placement. Avoid duplicating entries by making ROTY your core submission and adding Career Opportunities to it.

3. Film of the Year (Optional)

Celebrates fully completed short films that showcase storytelling, visual mastery, and production value. Open to both individual creators and teams.

Categories within Film of the Year:

  • 2D Animation: Complete short films in a two-dimensional animated style, including character-driven narratives, environments, and fully animated sequences.
  • 3D Animation: Fully computer-generated films where every element—characters, settings, and props—is crafted in 3D, focusing on cohesive visual storytelling.
  • Visual Effects: Short films integrating live-action footage with CGI or other VFX components, demonstrating technical skill in blending CGI with real-world footage for realistic visual effects.

Advice: If you’re entering a Film of the Year project as part of a team, create a separate ROTY entry to showcase your individual contributions. ROTY allows you to highlight the skills you personally brought to the project beyond the final team output.

4. Game of the Year - (Optional)

Designed for fully completed games, suitable for individual entries as well as team projects across various gaming platforms.

Categories within Game of the Year:

  • Console & PC: Games crafted specifically for desktop and console platforms, demonstrating complexity, narrative, and polished gameplay suited for traditional gaming environments.
  • Mobile: Games developed for mobile devices, optimised for smaller screens and touch interfaces, highlighting creativity within mobile constraints, including unique gameplay mechanics and user engagement.
  • Immersive Media: Games or experiences designed for VR and AR platforms, immersing players in fully interactive environments and showcasing how VR or AR technology enhances the gaming experience.

Guidance: If submitting a Game of the Year entry as a team project, consider also submitting a ROTY entry to emphasise your unique contributions. Game of the Year celebrates the finished product, while ROTY showcases your specific role and expertise within the project.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Category

The Rookie Awards are built around categories representing entire industries—not specific roles. Here’s how to select the best category for your entry and set yourself up for success.

Focus on Industry, Not Just Skills

Each category reflects an industry, so consider where you see yourself working, not just what skills you currently have. Categories are structured to allow you to show your versatility across roles within that industry.

Example: The Visual Effects category isn’t just for FX artists. It’s designed for anyone working on film and TV projects, whether you’re a modeler, animator, lighting artist, or FX specialist. If you're a 3D artist, decide if your future lies in Animation, Game Development, or Visual Effects, and select the category that best reflects your career goals.

Common Misconceptions

Many categories have a broader scope than you might initially think. Here are a few key points to clarify:

  • 3D Animation: Not limited to animators. Open to modelers, texture artists, and lighting artists working on 3D animated films.
  • Game Development: Not just for coders or developers. This category includes all game artists—character modelers, environment artists, FX specialists, and more.
  • Visual Effects: For anyone in film and TV VFX production, from animators to compositors, focusing on the full VFX pipeline.

Tips for Choosing the Right Category

  1. Align with Your Career Path: Choose the industry category that represents where you ultimately see yourself working. Think beyond your current role and imagine where you want your career to go.
  2. Make ROTY Your Primary Entry: Use ROTY to showcase your individual skills. This will likely be your most detailed, focused entry.
  3. Add Career Opportunities if Interested: If you’re aiming for internships or placements, add Career Opportunities to your ROTY entry.
  4. Use Film/Game of the Year for Team Projects: For completed team projects, submit under Film or Game of the Year, but consider a ROTY entry to highlight your personal contributions.

By focusing on industry categories and understanding the broader scope of each, you’ll make the best choice for your entry and enhance your chances of success in the Rookie Awards. Good luck!