GTA24 FAQs & Award Rules

If you have more questions or just want to say hello – feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 212-206-1041.

RULES FOR ENTRY:

1. Trailers must be under 4 minutes and 30 seconds long (no exceptions).

2. Creation dates for Trailers/Teasers/TV spots/Video Game Trailers: In order to be eligible, the above mentioned must be created between April 21st, 2023 through April 12th, 2024. That is the creation date of the trailer NOT the film (TV Series or video game). It is the creation date of the asset.

3. In order to be eligible for SUMMER 2024 BLOCKBUSTER which is for a Film RELEASE date for the 2024 Summer Blockbuster Season (which for 2024 is April 26th, 2024 – Sept 2nd 2024). The trailer must be made for a film released during this Blockbuster Season 2024.

4. Maximum up-loadable size for trailers is 300MB (please note, the larger the file, the longer the upload for larger files, please be patient if you have a slow connection)

5. Please NO “bars and tone”, NOR “Company Slates” on the front of the trailer. The trailer should begin just after you hit play.

6. Entry Fees are NON-refundable.

In addition to the rules stated above, in order to qualify as a Foreign film, over 50% of the principal photography must have been shot outside the United States, and additionally a minimum of 50% of the funding must come from outside the United States.

1. The creation date for posters is between April 21st, 2023 through April 12th, 2024.

2. Maximum up-loadable size for posters is 35MB (and 300 MB for motion posters)

3. Entry Fees are NON-refundable.

Yes.
But check out ALL  the FAQs for frequently asked questions! or email us at [email protected] we love to hear from everyone.

ENTRY FAQS GTA24:

1. General FAQs

GTA24 Applications are live now. Click Here to enter now!

The only specification for entry is that it come in under  300MB (for trailers), the 35MB (for posters), and 300MB (motion posters).

The prices remain the same for GTA24 but take advantage of End of Year Pricing! 

Click on this link to the pricing information page: GTA Entry Fees

No. If the trailer/teaser/spot was cut and killed, but you or your company believes this specific trailer/teaser/spot (aka the asset) to be a great spot, then the ‘not-theatrically’ released trailer is still eligible. Talent is King.

Trailers and or TV spots for Feature Length Films produced by digital distributors HBO/Amazon/Netflix/Hulu/Apple et al are entered  in Feature Length categories. If it is a Feature Length film (even though it is not shown in theaters) it gets entered under Feature Length Categories. When in doubt give us a call (212) 206-1041 or send us an email: [email protected] 

There are no specific lengths for Teasers. Teasers tend to be any where from :30 to sometimes even :90 in length.

Best of Show is not a category one can enter. Best of Show is determined by an aggregate of the VIP jury’s tabulations cross all genres of the trailers from GTA Show Categories.

Yes, Video Game Trailers are eligible to compete in the “Best Music” show category and any other category it is eligible/suitable.

There is no requirement that the spots need to air on television or online. If the TV spot was cut and ‘killed’, but your company feels this particular trailer/spot/asset is fantastic, but it just wasn’t the one that was given the green light, then the unaired trailer is still eligible. Talent is king.

To get to the TrailerByte category for your Tik-Toks/Instas/GIFs/Bytes or Blinks, first select what you are: Studio, Independent, or Foreign and then please select Innovative Advertising.

All World Trailer Categories (foreign categories) are back in the Golden Trailer Awards for GTA24!! And Yes, a Foreign trailer may enter the “Show Categories”.

 

No. As a matter of fact you can enter some by the Early deadline and pay for them. Then as you finish up others, enter them and pay as you go along to get the MAXIMUM savings!

There is no limit to the amount you can submit. Have fun!

Yes. Each submission may be entered into multiple categories. Once you pay the base entry fee to enter the first category, you can enter as many other categories as you wish for a reduced fee.

Yes, in 2019 we added six new trailer categories which were exclusively and expressly created to serve the ever growing Home Ent & Digital Distribution Platform market share.
Home Entertainment trailers will now be required to be submitted into the Home Ent categories.

No, we’ve kept the process straight forward and simple and that is all there is to it. Once you upload and pay for your entries on the system, including adding the required PR information (Asset Title, Studio and Trailer House/Agency) – that is all you need to do.

As always, you must fill out the PR information: Trailer Title (Asset title), Studio, Trailer House (Agency) – this is how the press release goes out and is of the utmost importance for that initial press release!! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SKIP OVER THIS STEP!! 

You will be able to update full credit section after nominations are announced so that you can concentrate on those specific nominated entries. This allows teams to focus on whom they would like to recognize and saves time whilst making initial entries.

If there is more than one version of a trailer or TV spot, you will need to include the trailers’ subtitle.
For example:
Film Title: Meet The Parents
Entry Material Subtitle: “Trailer B Family Time”
Please note that if this a show category, this subtitle will not appear in the lower thirds on the screen.

Make checks payable to “The Golden Trailer Awards” and enclose a copy of your invoice and mail to:
The Golden Trailer Awards
Attn: Accounts Receivable
110 West End Ave 4F
New York, NY 10023

If paying by check or any other method please make sure payment is in and received by final deadline in order to complete the submission process for GTA24.

No, “CLICK” on the “Invoice Only” and an invoice will be sent to your email address. Print it and make your check payable to the Golden Trailer Awards and mail it to:

The Golden Trailer Awards
Attn: Accounts Receivable
110 West End Ave 4F
New York, NY 10023

If paying by check or any other method please make sure payment is in and received by final deadline in order to complete the submission process for GTA24.

An entry may be withdrawn from competition, and the submitting entity will receive a credit which can be used for future submissions. Please note: the entry fee is non-refundable so please consider carefully before you submit.

Yes, it is not mandatory, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

The “Best Music” category refers to the use of a pre-existing song or songs in a trailer (i.e. Lorde’s cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” used in the “Dracula Untold “Rule” trailer”), whereas “Best Original Score” refers to a song created specifically for the trailer or from the score for the film.

Special End of Year (EoY) Pricing: Dec. 31, 2023

Early Deadline: January 26th, 2024

Regular Deadline: March 29th, 2024
Late Deadline: April 5th, 2024

1. Trailers must be under 4 minutes and 30 seconds long (no exceptions).

2. Creation dates for Trailers/Teasers/TV spots/Video Game Trailers: In order to be eligible, the above mentioned must be created between  April 21st, 2023 to April 12th, 2024. That is the creation date of the trailer NOT the film (TV Series or video game). It is the creation date of the asset.

3. In order to be eligible for SUMMER 2024 BLOCKBUSTER which is for a Film RELEASE date for the 2024 Summer Blockbuster Season (which for 2024 is April 26th, 2024 – Sept 2nd, 2024). The trailer must be made for a film released during this Blockbuster Season 2024.

4. Maximum up-loadable size for trailers is 300MB (please note, the larger the file, the longer the upload for larger files, please be patient if you have a slow connection)

5. Please NO “bars and tone”, NOR “Company Slates” on the front of the trailer. The trailer should begin just after you hit play.

6. Entry Fees are NON-refundable.

There are two ways (or best practices) for entering and getting the discounted ‘additional category’ price:

1. Upon initial entry, click all the categories that you want to enter at that time. There is no limit here. If you didn’t do that, then you can still …

2. If after entering, you decide to add an additional category, click the “Add to More Categories” button on the Entry Page under Categories Entered.

REMEMBER:
If you start again from the top each time you want to enter the asset into a category, the system will think it is a new entry and not give you the discount pricing and you will end up contacting us at 212.206.1041 .. always here to help!

As a company outside the US with a feature-length movie, you can submit your trailer in any category appropriate to your genre.

As a ‘foreign’ entry, ALL categories are open to you. Films from the United States are only allowed to compete in the domestic categories. In order for a US film to qualify for a foreign category, 50% of the film would need to have been shot outside the US and 50% of the financing would need to be from outside the United States. Thus, one factor to consider is less competition in Foreign Categories. Same applies to Posters/Print.

Enter it!! and give credit where credit is due! This subject comes up most often with graphics houses and music houses. Since we don’t require credit information until nomination, we do ask for PR information so be sure to credit the main editing company too when you list your company name.

This is so when the initial Press release goes out, no one is upset or has to call with changes and updates. If you need clarification here, please contact us.

Yes, if you think the trailer/tv spot/asset has got what it takes but wasn’t the final selection made by the client, you may still submit it. Please be sure to ask your client as well!

Yes, the category Most Innovative could either be one asset or multiple components. Our entry system allows you to enter up to six.

A campaign in this category could be one asset up or multiple assets, and may include as many supporting documents as you feel the campaign requires to fully convey the effectiveness or the experience. The entry is just the one entry cost, whether it is one asset or multiple assets. If you have multiple video assets, please combine them into one reel / one video when uploading.

Supporting examples: in previous’ years: ‘Zombie Strippers’ was one viral video. The effectiveness of this was self-evident and no further explanation was needed. The ‘Mission Impossible’ experiential campaign consisted of: a video with users participating in the experiential event, photos of collateral and also a write up that spelled out the overall effectiveness of the campaign. Both the above examples are eligible.

Yes! We would encourage you submit to any suitable additional categories as diversification will increase the chance of your trailer being nominated.

There is NOT a limit on the number of additional categories you may enter. Think about different aspects of your entry and enter wherever you think it is applicable. Diversification is a great strategy!

Trailers are movie previews (originally) for a theatrical audience, but now include online trailers as well. Duration of theatrical trailers is usually 2 to 2 1/2 minutes in length. TV spots are previews that tend to be :30 or :60 seconds and were created for a television audience.

We get it. Mistakes happen. Especially in this ever-changing world where exhibition lines are blurring (theatre, online, cable cutting) and viewing habits are evolving/changing.
If an entrant makes an error in the submission process, our entry coordinators and submissions manager will do their best to catch it and correct it. For example, if an entrant submits a Feature Film asset into a TV Series Category the asset will be moved to the Feature Film Category.

We believe that “talent is king” and independent trailers can compete with the studio trailers, just as independent movies compete with studio movies for box office dollars and eyeballs. But we also want to have a category where the best independents can compete and shine on their own. That is why some categories are strictly reserved for independents yet all categories (with the exception of Summer Blockbuster) are open to independent movie trailers.
The Best Independent category has proved so popular (and so excellent) that in 2016, we split the category in two. Best Independent is now … Best Independent and Best Independent (under $2.5 Million) to shine a special spotlight on those lower budget gems.
Please note: Best Independent is a Show Category whilst Best Independent (under $2.5Million) is a non-show category.

Under $2.5Million refers to the shooting budget of the film NOT including P&A.
And Best Independent (under $2.5Million) can still enter any and all other categories including Best Independent.

The upload limit is 300 MB maximum.

.gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png

and for motion posters: .mov and .mp4

35 MB maximum for posters and 200 MB maximum for motion posters.

It depends on your connection. If you have a slow connection it could take a few minutes. Be patient and allow yourself enough time to get all your entries in by the deadline(s).

If you are an independent video game company, then classify yourselves as “Independent”. If you are one of the large gaming companies (ie. EA (Electronic Arts), Activision, Sony, Universal et al.) then classify yourself as a “Studio”.

Anyone can enter: Producers, Directors, Filmmakers, Trailer Houses, Music Houses, Graphics Houses, Ad Agencies, Companies, and Individuals alike, foreign or domestic. If you have a great trailer or poster or viral campaign – ENTER IT! There are no restriction as to who can enter!

This hero image you are uploading is for the Commemorative Program Book.

  • Trailer, Video Games, Streaming and TV Spot hero image specs: 3.75”w x 1.6267”h (300dpi/CMYK/jpg, png format)
  • Poster Entries should upload the entered poster resized to: 2.3767”x 3.4367”h (300dpi/CMYK/ jpg, png format)
  • For odd shaped entries (ie. experiential/digital), please upload a high res CMYK file (jpg, png format)

Please click this link to refer to previous years’ program books.

2. Asset FAQs

You classify your entry based on the entry, not the agency. So if for example you cut a TV spot for ABC, that is a studio and you would click “Studio” and then “TV Spot”. That would NOT be an ‘independent’ entry.

We believe that “talent is king” and independent trailers can compete with the studio trailers, just as independent movies compete with studio movies for box office dollars and eyeballs. But we also want to have a category where the best independents can compete and shine on their own. That is why some categories are strictly reserved for independents yet all categories (with the exception of Summer Blockbuster) are open to independent movie trailers.
The Best Independent category has proved so popular (and so excellent) that in 2016, we split the category in two. Best Independent is now … Best Independent and Best Independent (under $2.5 million) to shine a special spotlight on those lower budget gems.

Please note: Best Independent is a Show Category whilst Best Independent (under $2.5Million) is a non-show category. Under $2.5 Million refers to the shooting budget of the film NOT including P&A.
And Best Independent (under $2.5 Million) can still enter any and all other categories including Best Independent.

Trailers/TV spots for Feature Length Films produced by digital distributors HBO/Amazon/Netflix/Hulu/Apple are eligible to compete in Theatrical ‘Trailer-Film’ categories as well as their TV Spots (Feature Film).

When in doubt, please email ([email protected]) or call us (212) 206-1041 – we are here to assist you!

In order to encompass ALL the many forms of super short form content and social media for tv series and feature films, ’TV TrailerBytes’  and ‘TrailerBytes’, respectively were created to incorporate ALL of them – so you can enter your, Tik-Toks, Instas, GIFs, blinks, bytes – in this one category.

The following categories are dedicated to this super short form content: 

TrailerByte for Feature Films:
*Best Action/Thriller TrailerByte for a Feature Film
*Best Animation TrailerByte for a Feature Film
*Best Comedy/Drama TrailerByte for a Feature Film
*Best Horror/Thriller TrailerByte for a Feature Film

TrailerByte for Streaming Series:
*Best Action/Thriller TrailerByte for a Streaming Series
*Best Animation TrailerByte for a Streaming Series
*Best Comedy/Drama TrailerByte for a Streaming Series
*Best Horror/Thriller TrailerByte for a Streaming Series

Four minutes and 30 seconds is the maximum industry length for motion picture previews. Although that is the maximum limit imposed by the MPAA, the average length of previews is 2 minutes and 30 seconds (or less). Your trailer can be any length, as long as it does not exceed 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Yes, they are considered independents and are eligible to enter at independent film price point.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple, Showtime, and HBO are considered ‘Studio’.

In the new era of digital, there is no specific length. Historically TV spots have been :30 and :60 seconds (sometimes :90, sometimes :15) but now, there is no set length, minimum or maximum.

TV Spots are traditionally :30 or :60 seconds. TV Trailers can also include :90 spots. The length of time can vary so the suggested lengths should not be considered a hard rule but should moreover serve as a guideline. Nor is there a requirement for the spot to have aired on traditional network television, to be eligible to submit under TV Spot for Feature Film, as many spots were created to air exclusively online or social media.

There are two main category groupings for TV spots. These fall into categories for  ‘TV Spots for Feature Films‘ and ‘TV Spots for TV series, streaming series, limited series, web series & mini-series‘. Be sure to select the correct category for the asset.

In previous years “Show Categories” were dedicated to theatrical releases; however, in this new, evolving distribution environment, where Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.  create or acquire feature film movies for distribution, those trailers are also eligible to submit as “Show Categories”.

“TV Spots for Feature Films” are also for all feature length films as well.

Due to the ever increasing and expanding distribution and viewing platforms, the Golden Trailer Awards expanded TV series category into multiple specific and relevant categories for TV series/Miniseries/Web Series/Limited Series, and/or Streaming Series, please check out all the categories under this heading.

Please feel free to contact us if you need clarification on this expansion at 212.206.1041 or contact us.

There are two main category groupings for TV spots. These fall into categories for  ‘TV Spots for Feature Films‘ and ‘TV Spots for TV series, streaming series, limited series, web series & mini-series‘. Be sure to select the correct category for the asset.

No. The trailer should begin after you hit play. You can have the MPAA “Green”bands or “Red” bands in front of the trailers – those are fine.

3. Category FAQs

All the Foreign Categories  (aka World Trailer Categories) are back in GTA24!

They are:
◦Best Foreign Action

◦Best Foreign Animation/Family

◦Best Foreign Comedy 

◦Best Foreign Documentary 

◦Best Foreign Drama 

◦Best Foreign Horror 

◦Best Foreign Independent Trailer 

◦Best Foreign Music 

◦Best Foreign Thriller 

◦Most Original Foreign Trailer 

◦Best Foreign Teaser 

The following categories have been retired from competition:

  • Best Trailer No Movie
  • Best Video Game TV Spot
  • Best Summer Blockbuster TV Spot
  • Golden Fleece TV Spot
  • Best Summer Blockbuster Poster
  • Best Video Game Poster
  • Best Fantasy Adventure Poster
  • Best Animation TrailerByte for TrailerByte for a TV/Streaming Series
  • Best Horror/Thriller TrailerByte for a TV/Streaming Series
  • Best Title/Credit Sequence for a Feature Film
  • Best Title/Credit Sequence for a TV/Streaming Series

4. Nominee & Winner FAQS:

Nope, no assigned seats here! We’re going with the flow with a general admission seating arrangement. But hey, if you’ve got a big crew rolling in, we suggest sending a representative on our load-in day (Load in day is May 29th, 2024) to snatch up a sweet section of seats exclusively for your party. 

Absolutely! Each nominee, whether in a show or non-show category, receives a complimentary ticket to the show. It’s a special night to celebrate with your friends, family, marketing family, and colleagues. Join us for a memorable evening of mixing, mingling, meeting new friends, and embracing old ones. In other words, every nominee gets one complimentary ticket.

Yes, the trophy codes for winners of GTA24 will go out after the show date on May 30th, 2024, usually a week later)  and trophies can be ordered after those dates.

All Nominees will:

  • Go back into the entry system and enter their credits then.
  • Create a 10-15 second winning “acceptance graphic” with credits that will be uploaded to the entry site. (if you do not cut AV content, you are welcome to create a PDF poster/acceptance “card” instead)
  • Receive a ticket to the GTA ceremony and post party!Show nominees will be asked to supply a high-res file of their entry.

Credits for the program book need to be uploaded by Thursday May 9th, 2024!

Winner Acceptance Graphics are due back in entry system by Thursday May 23rd, 2023.

ALL NOMINEES (show and non-show) will be asked to upload a 10 to 15 second graphic “acceptance” so we can cut to your “thanks and credits” if your work gets the win!

We are using this format for consistency and to streamline the acceptance speeches so you can thank your clients and acknowledge those individuals from the studio who contributed along with your entire creative team.

Credits MUST include
1. Film name 
2. Studio name or Logo
3. Agency/Trailer House name or logo
4. Client Thanks 
5. Creative Contributor credits

It is perfectly fine to add VO, music, graphics, SFX, and sound OR just send the approved visual graphic. Take the opportunity to be as clever and original as possible and show off the incredible talent of your agency.

***Please NO subtitles or trailer names with the word trailer or teaser in it. If the trailer has a proper name/title and you want us to include it, we can include that. We won’t include “Trailer” in the title– we are The Golden TRAILER Awards, after all! 

FORMAT:
1920×1080 
Stills should be .PNG

Video should be AppleProRes422 as .MOV
Not APRHQ
Not APR444

When you have completed the file and confirm agency approval, please use the following guide to label:

Nominated_Category_Title of Film_Company Submitting

Example:

Best_DRAMA_On_Golden_Pond_Best_Trailer_House_Ever 

Then you will be asked to upload that to the entry through your Acclaim account.

For non-show categories, your acceptance graphic will be used in the social post packets that we post throughout the year after the show (these will be seen by everyone so make it stand out!)

Here is the link to our Vimeo with previous examples to help you get ideas.

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