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Judging Process

Certificates and Awards

The Rookie Awards provide participants with a range of badges and certificates to celebrate achievements, showcase skills, and help promote your creative journey. These awards are more than just recognition—they’re tools to help you stand out, build your reputation, and share your accomplishments with the world.

Badges of Recognition

Badges highlight your achievements throughout the competition and recognise your creative excellence. These awards are consistent across all major categories, including Rookie of the Year, Film of the Year, and Game of the Year. Here’s the progression of badges you can earn:

  • Draft Selection: Recognises entries that perform strongly during the first round of judging.
  • Finalist: Awarded to entries that advance to the final round, showcasing exceptional work.
  • Highly Commended: Celebrates entries that judges believe deserve special recognition for their quality and creativity.
  • Runner-Up: Recognises the second-best entry in a category, showcasing an outstanding level of skill.
  • Winner: The highest accolade, awarded to the top entry in each category.

Career Opportunities

For categories that include Career Opportunities, only a single Winner is selected for each opportunity.

People’s Choice

This badge is awarded to the entry with the most public votes. Only finalists are considered for People’s Choice, ensuring the entries represent the best of the competition.

Industry Ranking Certificates

Entrants to Rookie of the Year categories receive an Industry Ranking Certificate, providing a personalised rank (A, B, C, or D) based on their submission. These certificates are designed to showcase your skills and readiness for industry roles, offering valuable feedback from expert judges.

  • Rank A: Exceptional, industry-ready skills.
  • Rank B: Strong foundation, high potential.
  • Rank C: Promising abilities, room for growth.
  • Rank D: Encouragement to improve and refine.

These certificates are perfect for promoting yourself to employers, adding to your portfolio, or sharing on professional platforms.

Why These Awards Matter

Badges and certificates are more than awards—they’re tools for your professional development:

  • Show Off Your Skills: Use badges and certificates on your portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or resume to demonstrate your expertise.
  • Promote Yourself: Share your achievements on social media or with potential employers to build your reputation.
  • Micro-Credentials: Each badge and certificate acts as a quick, recognisable way to prove your talent and readiness for industry challenges.

These awards are designed to motivate, celebrate, and support you as you build your creative career. Whether you earn a badge, a certificate, or both, they’re a testament to your hard work, skill, and passion.