Categories

Entries may qualify in the following categories:

Film

  • Best Feature Film: Feature-length film released or exhibited at a U.S. film festival, theatrically, or by a streaming/subscription service or cable channel.
  • Best Animated Feature Film: Feature-length animated film released or exhibited at a U.S. film festival, theatrically, or by a streaming/subscription service or cable channel.
  • Best Director – Feature Film: For outstanding direction of a film with a focus on Latino themes or characters and/or a director of Latino descent.
  • Best Actor – Feature Film: Actor of Latino descent in the leading role in a feature film.
  • Best Actress – Feature Film: Actress of Latino descent in the leading role in a feature film.
  • Best Supporting Actress – Feature Film: Actress of Latino descent in a supporting role in a feature film. A supporting cast member must appear for a minimum of 25% of the total film run time.
  • Best Supporting Actor – Feature Film: Actor of Latino descent in a supporting role in a feature film. A supporting cast member must appear for a minimum of 25% of the total film run time.
  • Best Voice-Over Actor – Feature Film: For voice-only performance in a feature-length film by an actor or actress of Latino descent where a character is portrayed no matter how the visual is produced.
  • Best Short/Student Film: Short films with a max length of 30 minutes. All short films must be submitted in their final format. A special reduced fee of $100 per entry applies only to this category.

Informational

  • Best Documentary: Long format (minimum 30 minutes in length) non-fiction program/series produced for film, television, or streaming/subscription service focused on the Latino community or a Latino theme. Independent documentary producers are eligible for the $150 fee only in the documentary category.
  • Best Informational Program: Local or national news stories or news specials (non-documentary) focused on the Latino community or a Latino theme. Individual news segments or compilation of news segments are acceptable.
  • Best Commercial Advertisement or Social Awareness Campaign: Public service announcements, promotional campaigns, and commercials geared toward a Latino audience originally aired or transmitted on a network, cable, or streaming/subscription service.

Television

  • Best Drama Series: For television programs, including limited series, that are either half-hour or full-hour format. The overall tone of the programs must be dramatic. Programs must have first-aired or transmitted on a network, cable, or streaming service with a first-run distribution in the U.S.
  • Best Comedy Series: For television programs, including limited series, that are either half-hour or full-hour format. The overall tone of the programs must be comedic. Programs must have first-aired or transmitted on a network, cable, or streaming service with a first-run distribution in the U.S.
  • Best Special or Television Movie: For programs that are either one-time specials or movies made for television or streaming services. Programs must be one-offs and not part of a series. Programs must have first-aired or transmitted on a network, cable, or streaming service with a first-run distribution in the U.S.
  • Best Director: For outstanding direction of a comedy, drama, variety, limited series, or movie for television or a streaming service. Director must be of Latino descent.
  • Best Youth Programming: Programming with Latino characters or themes aimed at Latino children.
  • Best Variety or Reality Show: For programs or series composed of musical acts, comedic acts, sketches, or unscripted content.

Television Performances

  • Best Actor – Drama: Actor of Latino descent in a main role with a significant storyline where the overall tone of the program is dramatic.
  • Best Actress – Drama: Actress of Latino descent in a main role with a significant storyline where the overall tone of the program is dramatic.
  • Best Supporting Actor – Drama: Actor of Latino descent in a supporting role where the overall tone of the program is dramatic. The supporting cast member in a program must appear a minimum of 25% of the total program run time.
  • Best Supporting Actress – Drama: Actress of Latino descent in a supporting role where the overall tone of the program is dramatic. The supporting cast member in a program must appear a minimum of 25% of the total program run time.
  • Best Actor – Comedy: Actor of Latino descent in a main role with a significant storyline where the overall tone of the program is comedic.
  • Best Actress – Comedy: Actress of Latino descent in a main role with a significant storyline where the overall tone of the program is comedic.
  • Best Supporting Actor – Comedy: Actor of Latino descent in a supporting role where the overall tone of the program is comedic. The supporting cast member in a program must appear a minimum of 25% of the total program run time.
  • Best Supporting Actress – Comedy: Actress of Latino descent in a supporting role where the overall tone of the program is comedic. The supporting cast member in a program must appear a minimum of 25% of the total program run time.
  • Best Voice-Over Actor: For voice-only performance by an actor/actress where a character is portrayed no matter how the visual is produced.
  • Best Young Actor: Female or male actor under the age of 18 in a main or supporting role

Music

  • Best Music Composition for Film or Television: For outstanding original music composition by music composer of Latin descent, and/or for a Latin-themed project.
  • Best Music Supervision for Film or Television: For outstanding original music supervision for a Latin-themed project, and/or by a music supervisor of Latin descent.

Entry Form Procedures & Requirements

The following guidelines apply to both the PDF and Online Entry Form:

  • Entry Form: Fill out one (1) entry form per category submission. For example, if you are submitting one production in multiple categories, i.e. Best Picture and Best Actor, each category needs to have its own entry form. Select only one category per form.
  • Primary Contact: The Primary Contact will be the main point of contact for all matters related to the submission. The Imagen Foundation will inform the Primary Contact listed on the entry form of nomination. The Primary Contact agrees to notify the nominee(s). If a third-party consultant is engaged to submit on behalf of an entertainment entity, they are required to identify a Company Contact. The Company Contact information will only be used if the submission is nominated.
  • Company Contact: The Company Contact section is required if the Primary Contact is a third-party consultant submitting on behalf of an entertainment entity. The name, title, and email address must be included with the submission form.
  • Production Information: If nominated, nominees will be listed as described and submitted on the official Imagen Awards entry form. The accuracy of the information provided on the entry form is the responsibility of the submitter and is not the responsibility of the Imagen Foundation.
  • Program Summary: A brief written summary describing the entry and episode (if applicable) must be included with the Entry Form to be considered.
  • Episode Selection for Television Programs & Television Acting Categories: Select ONE episode that aired during the qualification period that best represents the series and/or talent that you are submitting for consideration. The title of the episode and a short summary of the episode is required at the time of submission.
  • Broadcast Network/Streaming Service, Production, and Distribution Company: The companies named under Broadcast Network/Service and Production/Distribution Companies in the Production Information section, will be listed next to the name of the nominated program. Make sure to write in the companies exactly as they should appear, in the event the production is nominated. The submitter agrees to provide accurate information regarding network, production, and distribution companies.
  • For Talent Submissions:
    • Headshot: An approved headshot is required in the acting and director categories. By submitting the headshot, you are giving the Imagen Foundation permission to use it for promotional purposes for the Imagen Awards.
    • Resume/Bio: You must include a resume or bio for acting categories. An IMDB resume is acceptable.
    • For an actor in a television program/series, please select one episode that best showcases the actor’s character and talent. The screener for the full episode must be included with the submission.
    • Description: Include a short description of the actor’s character and role in the project.
  • For Music Submissions: Include the final cue sheet for the project and a brief description of the candidate’s involvement in the project, along with a screener of the project.
  • Screener/Video Details: An online screener/video or file download link is required for all entries. Links for online screeners/videos must be active and accessible through August 31, 2024.
    • Links for screeners/videos behind a paywall or that require a paid subscription, such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, to view them are not allowed.
    • Access Codes for Screeners: If providing access codes for your platform, a minimum of 20 unique access codes per entry are required. Do NOT submit the same access codes for multiple entries. Access codes are required at the time of submission.
    • Entries for episodic programs must include a screener/video link for the episode being submitted for consideration.
    • Links and any viewing instructions should be included in the Screener Details section of the entry form. In the event we have difficulties with your links, we will make our best efforts to inform the Primary Contact listed on the entry form as soon as possible. If we are unable to receive a prompt response, the entry will be disqualified.
    • Physical DVDs or Blu-Rays will not be accepted.
    • Failure to provide a working link/video or sufficient access codes per entry in a timely manner will disqualify the entry.
  • Signed Waiver & Release: The Waiver and Release is located on the bottom of the Entry Form in this package and at the end of the online entry form. Each Entry Form must be signed in order to be considered for the Imagen Awards. If you have questions regarding the Waiver & Release, please email Yanira Leon at yani@imagen.org.
  • Payment: Each entry must include the appropriate payment for the category. Payment can be made via ACH deposit, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express accepted), or check (made out to “Imagen Foundation”). If your company requires an invoice, please contact us at awards@imagen.org. Entries submitted with a personal check must be received two weeks before the submission deadline. All fees must be paid by the Call for Entries deadline or your entry will be disqualified.
  • Nominees Announcement: Nominees will be listed as described and submitted on the official Imagen Awards entry form. The accuracy of the information provided on the entry form is the responsibility of the submitter and is not the responsibility of the Imagen Foundation. Please ensure that all information is accurate before submitting.

All requirements must be fulfilled to be considered for the Imagen Awards.

Where to Submit

ONLINE: The Online Submission Portal is available here. You will need to create an account to begin the submission process. Carefully read the Submission Form Procedures & Guidelines to ensure that your entry is properly submitted and processed.

EMAILED ENTRIES: Download the PDF Entry Guidelines and Form. On page 11 of the PDF packet, you will find the Entry Form. Email the completed form, along with the Credit Card Authorization or invoice request to awards@imagen.org. All required materials must accompany your PDF Entry Form for your submission to be processed.

MAILED-IN ENTRIES: You may print and complete the PDF Entry Form on page 11 of the PDF packet. Mailed-in entry forms must also include online screener information. No physical DVDs or Blu-Rays will be accepted. Mail or send via messenger your completed form and all required materials to:

Imagen Awards Consideration Committee
3579 E. Foothill Blvd. #744
Pasadena, CA 91107

Deadline

The deadline to submit to the Imagen Awards Competition is May 1, 2024.

Questions about the Imagen Awards

If you have any questions regarding the Imagen Awards that are not answered in this document, please contact the Imagen Foundation by phone at (626) 376-9751 or by email at awards@imagen.org.