Your guide to enter the One World Media Awards 2021
The entry deadline to the prestigious 33rd Annual One World Media Awards is just around the corner!
The awards are a unique opportunity to have your work recognised amongst the best in the industry, championing underreported stories from around the world that inform and connect us all.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get started with your awards entry! To help you out, we’ve pulled together some of the key information you’ll need, plus a few bonus tips from our awards team.
Step 1: Select your award category (or categories)
From print and documentary, to podcasts and digital media, the Awards span 15 categories, celebrating the year’s best media coverage of the global south across a wide range of genres. Take a moment to check out each of the categories below and identify which ones apply to your work.
“If you think your entry is applicable to more than one, feel free to enter into multiple categories!”
– Umloda Ibrahim, Events Assistant
Digital Media Award
For websites, interactive online features, apps, interactive documentaries and other digital technologies that use creative and innovative techniques and content to extend knowledge and understanding of, and engagement with, the global south.
Past winners: Treasure Hunters: The Lost Coins of Alexander the Great, BBC Arabic & How Nigeria’s Fear of Child ‘Witchcraft’ Ruins Young Lives, Al Jazeera
Environmental Impact Award
For a piece of media, including broadcast, online, audio, print or film, that explores the relationship between people and the planet. In particular, we are interested in these areas: changing cities, the climate crisis, energy, environmental health, environmental justice, food, water, wildlife and zero waste.
Past winners: Silent Forests & Critically Endangered Giant Fish on Menu at Luxury Restaurants – Rachel Nuwer for National Geographic
Feature Documentary Award
For a feature-length (over 40 minutes) documentary film that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
Past winners: Defying The Cutting Season, BBC Storyville & A Thousand Girls Like Me
International Journalist of the Year Award
For a filmmaker or journalist working in any medium who has made the most outstanding contribution to international journalism during the past year.
Past winners: John Sudworth, BBC News & Guillermo Galdos, Channel 4 News
News Award
For a single television or online video news report or feature that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
Past winners: Uighur Families, BBC News & Democratic Republic of Congo: The Forgotten Tragedy, Sky News
New Voice Award
For a young filmmaker or journalist working in any medium, 32 years of age or under as of 16th February 2021, who has made a substantial contribution to international journalism during the year.
Past winners: Shatha Hammad & Yen Duong
Popular Features Award
For a piece of media, including broadcast, digital, audio, print or film, that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south through creative treatment of an issue. The media should reach a wider audience potentially less familiar with global south and help to provide a more accurate, balanced perspective.
Past winners: In Refugee Settlements in Uganda, Survivors Grapple With How to Raise Children Born of Rape, Glamour & Rebels with a Cause Elle UK with The Fuller Project
Print Award
For a feature article (750 words or longer) published in print or online that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south. This may include specialist features such as sport, music, food and health.
Past winners: How to Save a Country From Snakebite, Mosaic & A Suicide in Gaza, The Guardian
Podcast + Radio Award
For an audio feature, podcast, or single programme from a series, broadcast on radio or online, that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
Past winners: The Undercover Migrant & Nigeria’s Patient Prisoners, BBC World Service
Refugee Reporting Award
For a piece of media, including broadcast, online, audio, print or film, that covers refugee and asylum-seeker issues by telling compelling stories that generate empathy, understanding and are reported on accurately and fairly.
Past winners: Libya: The Infernal Trap, France 24 & Britain’s Refugee Children, True Vision Wales for Channel 4
Short Film Award
For a short documentary film that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south. The short film must be between 5 and 40 minutes.
Past winners: Lawaris: Karachi’s Unknown Dead, Vice UK & Riding ‘The Death Train’ to America’s Border
Special Award
For an independent media organisation based in the global south using media to address social, cultural, political and economic issues. The Award seeks to recognise and encourage outstanding reporting that informs the public, provides an outlet for local people’s voices, creates a space for critical information and holds those in power to account.
Past winners: Rappler, Radio Fresh & Alhudood
Student Award
For a piece of media, including film, radio, digital or print, made by a student as part of a journalism or filmmaking course at a university or film school that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
Past winners: Separation by Han Wei & Anak Malaysia by Sarah Cohen
TV Documentary Award
For a factual journalistic programme broadcast on television or online, either standalone or one episode from a series, that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.
Past winners: The Yazidis Secret Children, BBC Persian Service & Sweet Sweet Codine, BBC Africa Eye
Women Entrepreneurs Reporting Award
For media, including broadcast, digital, audio, film or print, that explores women’s entrepreneurship in the global south. Reporting can showcase stories of successful female entrepreneurs, the challenges women face in trying to grow their businesses, and/or the critical role that women entrepreneurs play in economic development by boosting growth and creating jobs.
Step 2: Learn about the criteria for the award(s)
The Awards champion stories that demonstrate originality, creativity, and the potential to catalyse change. All entries should highlight underreported stories or issues, or explore new angles on familiar topics. You can view detailed eligibility criteria here.
“Make sure that you read the eligibility criteria carefully and that you meet all of the requirements for the category you are entering.”
– Will Jameson, Events Manager
Step 3: Tell us about your work on the simple entry form
The entry process is simple. We ask a few questions about your work, where we can find it, and the impact it has had. You can save and return to your entry form at any point, just make sure it’s submitted by February 16th!
This year we are using a new awards platform. All entrants will need to create an account on the new system to enter this year’s awards.
“Don’t leave it too late, uploading your work can take a while! But if you run into any problems, don’t panic, you can always get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to help.”
– Umloda Ibrahim, Events Assistant