Entries open from Monday 15 August at 12pm
Four new categories announced plus all the entry details
Overview:
Organised by AudioUK, the trade body which champions and supports independent audio production businesses in the UK, the Audio Production Awards return for their twelfth year, and are once again sponsored by Audible.
The Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in audio production across a huge range of audio content: podcasts, audiobooks, sound design, radio, presenting; and are open to production talent across the UK.
Chloe Straw, Managing Director of AudioUK, said:
“More than ever, it is important to come together as a community to celebrate the brilliance of audio and those who make it. I’m really pleased that we have new categories again this year, reflecting the fast-changing nature of the audio industry. And I’m delighted that we can offer the Pay What You Can Scheme again for those who would otherwise find the entry fee a barrier to entry.
Huge thanks to lead producer Sophie Cantopher who works tirelessly to bring every aspect of the awards together, EDI consultant Yassine Senghor, and to assistant producer Ria Penido. And thank you to our lead sponsor Audible, who continue to support the Awards, and enable us to come together to celebrate the success of the audio industry.”
Bernard P. Achampong, Founder of Unedited, Vice Chair of AudioUK and this year’s Chair of Judges, said:
“Our vision is to champion the most outstanding work that we will listen back to in 20 years and all be proud of. The awards committee is looking forward to helping celebrate a unique moment in British creativity through sound. Whether you are an audio professional or a fan of the media, I invite you to submit formats that are complex and creative, scripts with succinct simplicity, and sound design that takes your breath away.”
As usual, there are awards for Best Producer in Factual, Drama, Arts, Music, Comedy, Sport, Audiobooks, Sound Design and more, plus a range of on-mic talent awards, and the special AudioUK award – last year won by the legendary Annie Mac.
In addition, there will be four brand new categories:
- Best Lifestyle & Society Producer
- The Sustainability Award
- Publisher or Network of the Year
- Producer of the Year
Once again, the Grassroots Production category will celebrate producers, teams and/or organisations working close to their communities, and this category will be free to enter, recognising the particular challenges faced in that part of the sector.
Entry Information
Entry fees have been frozen at 2018’s prices of £35+VAT for AudioUK Members and £45+VAT for non-members. AudioUK is pleased to be running the Pay What You Can scheme for a second year, offering discounted entry rates and tickets for those under financial constraints who would otherwise be unable to enter and attend the Awards.
All category descriptions, eligibility criteria, and details can be found here:
https://audioproductionawards.awardstage.com/
Key Dates:
- Monday 15th August: Entries open at 12PM
- Early Bird 10% off entry fee between Mon 15th Aug – Sun 28th Aug
- Wednesday 21st September: Entries close at 2PM. (Please note there will be no extension of the entries deadline)
- Monday 31st Oct: Shortlist Announced & event tickets on sale
- Wednesday 23rd November: Awards Ceremony at the BFI, London, Southbank
- Thursday 24th November: Winners Announcements
Audio Production Awards: Categories for 2022:
- Best Factual Producer
- Best Drama & Fiction Producer
- Best Arts & Culture Producer
- Best New Producer
- Best Sports Producer
- Best Sound Design Producer
- Best Narrator
- Best Audiobook Producer
- Best Music Producer
- Grassroots Production Award
- Best News & Current Affairs Producer
- Gethin Thomas Award for Best Comedy Producer
- Best Entertainment Producer
- Best Lifestyle & Society Producer (NEW)
- Best Presenter
- Best New Voice
- Best Ensemble Cast
- Best Branded Sound Producer (previously titled Best Station Sound Producer)
- The Sustainability Award (NEW)
- Producer of the Year (NEW)
- Publisher or Network of the Year (NEW)
- Production Company of the Year
Plus the special AudioUK Award.
All category descriptions and eligibility criteria can be found here: https://audioproductionawards.awardstage.com/
Contact:
All Media enquiries to: Sophie Cantopher, Lead Producer, Audio Production Awards
sophie@audioproductionawards.co.uk
General Enquiries: hello@audioproductionawards.co.uk
Notes:
- The Audio Production Awards was first held in 2010 under the name Radio Production Awards/RPAs, and became the APAs in 2016. The awards recognise both on and off-air talent. Details of past winners can be found at: https://www.audiouk.org.uk/audio-production- awards/
- AudioUK is the trade body for the audio-led production sector in the UK. AudioUK has four core priorities: Business; Representation; Community; and Excellence – and has over 130 member companies based across the whole of the UK. As well as producing the annual Audio Production Awards, it also runs the successful Audiotrain skills training programme. AudioUK, along with Radiocentre, oversees the administration of the Audio Content Fund which distributes a grant from the UK government to fund public service content on commercial and community radio. More at https://www.audiouk.org.uk
- More details on the APAs:
Entry Details
Entries should be designed to show the judges the quality of work over the past year, either in a series of extracts (from one programme, podcast, show, or series), or clips from a range of different programmes, podcasts, or series etc. Entrants may also submit one exceptional long clip from a single programme, which can be a one-off or a series.
Audio Clips and Written Statements
The maximum length of entries is 15 minutes (except for Production Company of the Year, Publisher or Network of the Year and Producer of the Year which have a maximum length of 30 minutes) and written nominations/supporting statements must not exceed 600 words.
The Gethin Thomas Award for Best Comedy Producer
Honours the Welsh comedy performer and producer, and former member of the AudioUK Board, who unexpectedly passed away in 2017.
Judging
The Audio Production Award Judges are selected from a base of previous years, recommendations from those Judges, and the industry. We work each year to expand the network of Judges further, reflecting the full diversity of the audio production sector. We ask the Judges to consider and acknowledge resources (or lack of) available to entrants and challenges potentially faced in producing the content. Judges’ names will be published once all judging has been completed, but not stating which individual categories they judged. We strive for fairness and quality and will allocate our Judges to categories in a way that eliminates any conflict of interest.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
As a trade body, it is vital for AudioUK and the Audio Production Awards to fully reflect the diversity of our sector and this remains at the core of our work. The APAs should be representative of all platforms: podcasts, audiobooks and radio; individuals, large and small companies; based across the UK. The APAs promotes inclusivity within our industry around gender / gender identity, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identities, disability, age, socio-economic, and more.
We work with EDI consultant Yassine Senghor from Confronting Change on the Awards.
Audio Production Awards proceeds
Any profits from the Audio Production Awards are used for training for the audio production sector via our Audiotrain programme. Audiotrain webinars can be seen here: https://www.audiouk.org.uk/audiotrain/