Rookie Awards 2020
The 10th Annual Rookie Awards is open to young creatives in visual effects, animation, games, virtual reality, motion graphics and 3d visualisation. There is simply no better way to launch your career and start sharing your amazing work online.
Overview
The Rookie Awards is the world’s biggest contest for aspiring creatives in games, animation, visual effects, immersive media, motion graphics and product visualisation. This is the 10th annual contest so its one you don’t want to miss. Take a chance and share your work to industry heavyweights and influencers, receive badges and certificates, connect with other young artists and launch your creative career in 2020.
The judges are tasked with finding the best emerging individual artists and teams for each of the available categories list below. Grab your best work that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, passion and technical abilities for the judges to review. Use our page builder tools to create a single page that will impress the judges and make your friends jealous.
Even if you’re not ready to apply for jobs, or don’t think you can win, this contest is a great opportunity for you to build confidence. These industries are about sharing your work at all level of completion, so why not start now and get your work in front of some of the biggest names in the industries. It’s also a great opportunity to figure out how you stack up against other artists locally and around the world.
Stop thinking about entering, just take a chance. Most of our success stories are from people that didn’t win and thought it would never lead to anything
Tips
- Take a moment to watch our introduction video by the founders of The Rookies where they explain the contest in detail, discuss the categories, how to enter, common mistakes and tips for creating a perfect entry.
- Check out incredible entries from 2019 and use them as inspiration.
- Listen to success stories from past entrants that truly believed they didn’t have a chance at winning.
- Make sure to read the 14 Most Commonly Asked Questions.
Stay Connected
- Follow us @therookiesco.
- Stay updated with #rookieawards2020.
- Chat with others on Discord.
Eligibility
You can be a student, self-taught artist, or even a hobbyist. If you have more than 12 months professional experience in any related field that puts you at a distinct advantage over emerging artists, your entry will be disqualified. No work completed at a professional studio can be shared.
Important Dates
Download the Official 2020 Google Calendar so you don’t miss any of the following key dates:
- Open for submission 7 March 2020
- Entries close 1 June 2020.
- Finalists announced 30 June 2020.
- Winners announced 16 July 2020.
- Dates mentioned are at 11:59 pm on the date in question.
- All dates are based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
How to Enter
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Read the Rules. Don’t worry, there isn’t too much lawyer talk in there. Quick Link.
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Select a Category from the options displayed further down this page. Choose one that best suits your skills, career interests and projects you want to share. View the category brief on the corresponding page and create an entry.
• Contest Group
Rookie of the Year
This is the primary category that the vast majority of entries submit work. They are open to individual artists only. Select a category from below that most closely relates to your career goals and training.
2D Animation
Entries should showcase content created in two-dimensional format and has been enlivened with movement. This type of animation is regarded to be the traditional form of animation. Projects can be of any topic. Characters, creatures, props and even environment work will be considered.
3D Animation
Entries should include content specifically created for feature animated films/shorts. The key is that all elements should be full CG - environments, characters, set, props, animation and effects.
Concept Art
Concept Art is created for feature film, computer games, story narrative, theme parks, advertising and fan-art purposes.
Game Development
Projects entered should include content specifically with the intention of contributing to a computer game. This includes models, environments, animations, fx elements, code and more. The judges will be looking for the best creative and/or technical submissions for this massive category.
Visual Effects
This category is for artists working with assets and elements that are integrated with live-action footage to create photo realistic environments, characters, sets, props, animation and effects that would be dangerous, expensive, impractical, or simply impossible to capture on film.
Architectural Visualisation
Open to artists who specialise in Architectural Visualisation. This is content created to help visualise building interiors and exteriors, landscaping, town planning and sustainability.
3D Motion Graphics
Motion graphics are a way to communicate with the viewer, and add depth to a story. Together with music and effective copy, they can give us a message. We use them to create ads, title sequences for movies, videos and to share information.
Immersive Media
Looking for artists creating content specifically for use with virtual reality headsets. The judges are wanting to see completed games, apps, immersive experiences and all the elements involved in pushing this technology to the next level.
Product Design
Focused on the art of visualising products, furniture, and gadgets that are to be manufactured through techniques of mass production. Judges looking to see the process from concept design through to completed renderings and even real-world prototypes.
• Contest Group
Film of the Year
Open to individuals and teams that have created short films using 2D Animation, 3D Animation and Visual Effects.
2D Animation
Looking for the very best in 2D animated short films. The films can be created by both teams and individuals. Trailers and unfinished projects allowed.
3D Animation
Looking for the very best in 3D animated short films. The films can be created by both teams and individuals. Trailers and unfinished projects will be considered.
Visual Effects
Films created by both teams and individuals that include live action visual effects used to help tell a story, add that wow factor, or include live action footage.
• Contest Group
Game of the Year
Open to individuals and teams that have created games for console, mobile and immersive media.
Console & PC
Looking for the very best games for PC & Console. The games can be created by both teams and individuals. Trailers and unfinished projects allowed, but finished games preferred.
Immersive Media
Team and individual games that have been designed to use the latest immersive media headsets and systems. Completed projects preferred, but game play examples and trailers accepted.
Mobile
This category is for individuals and teams that have created a game for mobile devices. The judges are looking for finished games here, but feel free to submit trailers if necessary.
• Contest Group
Studio Internships
There is simply no better way to launch your career with a fully paid Internship at these incredible companies from around the world.
Weta Digital
Weta Digital is looking for an Art Intern to join the team for one month of experience within their world-class Concept Art Department.
Epic Games
For over 25 years, Epic Games has been making award-winning games and engine technology. 10 entrants will win a telephone interview with the talent team looking for hire applicants for Fall 2020.
BVN REAL
This amazing opportunity is open to aspiring Arch-viz artists wanting to work with a team that produces award-winning projects. The aim is to help an artist kick start their career, working among renowned artists and gaining valuable insight into the working life inside this studio.
Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory is looking for an Intern to join their team and experience what it's like to be part of this world-renowned studio. Apply for this opportunity to launch your career instantly. https://ninjatheory.com
Lightfield
Lightfield is looking for an Arch-viz Still Image Artist to join the team for one month of experience with its world-class team.
Outpost VFX (Canada)
Outpost VFX is looking for an Intern to join the team in Montreal for one month of experience with their world-class team.
Outpost VFX (United Kingdom)
Outpost VFX is looking for an intern to join their team in Bournemouth for one month of experience with their world-class team.
Unbnd
Unbnd specialise in AR, WebAR, SocialAR, VR and interactive experiences. We’re an Australian creative technology company built around a team of futurists, artists, nerds and thinkers.
Binyan Studios
This amazing opportunity is open to aspiring Arch-viz artists wanting to work with a team that produces award-winning projects. The aim is to help an artist kick start their career, working among renowned artists and gaining valuable insight into the working life inside this studio.
Crater Studio
Crater Studio is looking for an intern to join the team for 2-3 months of experience with their world-class team.
• Contest Group
Specialty
Don't quite fit any of the other contests listed above? The contests in this specialty group might be exactly what you've been looking for.
Young Guns
All great digital artists start at a young age. This is why we have a category open specifically for young artists from around the world to showcase their passion and amazing skills.
