Rookie Awards 2023
The 13th 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.
Contest Overview
Are you an aspiring student, self-taught artist, or hobbyist with a passion for games, animation, visual effects, immersive media, motion graphics, 3D visualization and similar creative industries? Then the 13th Annual Rookie Awards is the perfect platform for you to showcase your talent.
With a panel of industry professionals evaluating your work, you’ll receive valuable feedback and recognition that will boost your confidence and inspire you to pursue your passion with even greater determination.
It’s time to take a chance and show the world what you’re capable of! Enter the Rookie Awards and let your work speak for itself. Just like these amazing stories, you never know where it might lead you, but you’ll surely be one step closer to realizing your dream.
From certificates to badges, from career opportunities to random giveaways, the Rookie Awards have a truckload of prizes for you to win. So get ready to walk away with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
The Contest Brief
Your task is to create an entry page that showcases your creative and technical abilities, specifically related to your chosen category listed below. Think of this contest as a job application, where your objective is to impress recruiters with a single entry page that showcases all of your top projects. To do this effectively, be sure to provide a comprehensive explanation of how you created each project, using supporting images, videos, and text to bring your work to life.
Groups & Categories
With 5 main Contest Groups to choose from, this contest has something for everyone. Whether you’re an individual artist or a team, you’re sure to find a category that inspires you.
- Rookie of the Year - 10 categories open to individual artists to showcase their specific industry based skills.
- Film of the Year - 3 individual/team based categories for artists working on films.
- Game of the Year - 3 individual/team based categories for artists working on games.
- Career Opportunities - Various opportunities provided by production studios.
Eligibility
Entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older, and have no more than one year of professional industry experience at the time of the contest’s closing date, which is June 1, 2023, working in the fields of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Concept Art, Game Development, Visual Effects, Architectural Visualisation, Motion Graphics, Immersive Media, Product Design or Virtual Fashion.
For further information please read the rules.
Important Dates
- Open for Entries 7 March 2023.
- Closed for Entries 1 June 2023.
- Finalists announced 9th July 2023.
- Winners announced 27th July 2023.
Dates mentioned are at 11:59 pm, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Tips & Advice
- Read the brief on each individual category page to better understand what the judges want to see.
- Watch our introduction video to make sure you create the best entry possible.
- Review entries from last year and use them as inspiration.
- Read our F.A.Q article to clear up any common confusion.
- Ask questions on our Discord Channel and network with pros and entrants.
- Follow us @therookiesco
- Stay updated with #rookieawards2023.
Get Started
All you need to do is select a category from below that interests you, follow the instructions on the category page, and submit an entry page loaded with all your best work. You can even enter multiple categories if you have the right skills.
• 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.
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.
Digital Fashion
Focused on 3D digital fashion. Judges are looking to see the process from concept design through to completed renderings.
• 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
Career Opportunities
There is simply no better way to launch your career.
EA Sports
EA Sports is offering an amazing opportunity to one lucky winner. The mentorship will connect you with members of the EA Sports team where you'll be guided and given insights on the inner workings of this incredible studio.
Outpost VFX
Outpost VFX are looking for one lucky winner to (virtually) mentor from the VFX category.
Wētā FX
Wētā FX is looking for an Intern to join The Rotoscope Department.
PlaySide Studios
PlaySide Studios is looking for one lucky winner to claim a paid onsite or virtual internship.
Ghost VFX | Copenhagen
Ghost VFX are looking for one lucky winner for an (onsite or virtually) internship for their Copenhagen office.
ON Animation Studio
On Animation Studios is looking for an 3D Artist to mentor for 4 weeks of experience with their world-class team.
Ghost VFX | London
Ghost VFX are looking for one lucky winner for an (onsite or virtually) internship for their London office.
That's No Moon
That's No Moon are offering a 1-on-1 demoreel review to one lucky winner of the Game Design category.
BINYAN
Binyan will provide valuable feedback to the overall winners of the Arch-viz category.
beloFX
beloFX are offering two lucky winners virtual mentorship.
DNEG
DNEG are offering a 1-on-1 demoreel review or interview for the winner and runner-up of the VFX category.
INDG
INDG are offfering a 4-week mentorship to an aspiring 3D artist with a focus on digital fashion.
Unsigned Studio
Unsigned Studio is looking for 1 lucky winner to mentor from the Arch-viz category.
2G Studio
2G Studio is looking for three lucky winners to (virtually) mentor from the Arch viz category.
Blowfish Studios
Blowfish Studios are offering one lucky winner an internship.
realworld one
realworld one is looking for 5 artists that they can have a video interview session with an expert from their realworld one Development team to review your entry/ portfolio.
Mighty Kingdom
Mighty Kingdom are offering a mentorship for one lucky winner.
