TV AWARDS CRITERIA

There will be twelve (12) competitive awards in 2025 – Breakthrough Comedy Series; Breakthrough Drama Series; Breakthrough Limited Series; Breakthrough Nonfiction Series; Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series; Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series; Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series; Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series; Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series; Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series; Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming; and Outstanding Performance in an Original Film.

All eligible submissions must meet the following basic criteria for competitive awards:

Breakthrough Series

• For new series originally aired or transmitted for the first time during the eligibility period on television (network, basic cable, pay cable, pay television, pay-per-view, interactive cable, broadband) or digital distribution through internet platforms.
• The premiere of the first season of a series must have been within the eligibility period of June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025.
• There will be nine awards presented in the fiction series categories and one award for nonfiction series:
  • Breakthrough Comedy or Drama Series – The first season of a continuing fiction series consisting of six or more episodes.
  • Breakthrough Limited Series – A limited fiction series consisting of two or more episodes with a total runtime of at least 150 program minutes.
  • Breakthrough Nonfiction Series – A continuing or limited nonfiction series consisting of three or more episodes.
  • Outstanding Performances in a Comedy, Drama, or Limited Series – An outstanding lead or supporting performance in a Breakthrough fiction series eligible in one of the three Breakthrough fiction series categories.
• A majority of the episodes of a series must be broadcast, transmitted, or available for download within the eligibility period. For series premiering in April-May 2025, a minimum of three episodes must be made available to the Gotham nominating committees. Anthology series with new stories annually are only eligible in the debut season. Series returns, revivals, reboots, or continuations after a hiatus are not eligible as “Breakthrough” series.
• International television production is only eligible if it is the result of a co-production (both financially and creatively) between U.S. and international partners and with a purpose to be shown to U.S audiences in the same eligibility year.

Original Films, Broadcast or Streaming

• For new feature films which originally aired or transmitted for the first time during the eligibility period on television (network, basic cable, pay cable, pay television, pay-per-view, interactive cable, broadband) or digital distribution through internet streaming platforms.
• The premiere of the original feature film must have been within the eligibility period of January 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025.
• Films meeting the eligibility requirements of The Gotham Film Awards are not eligible to submit for The Gotham Television Awards.
• There will be two awards presented in the original feature film categories:

• Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming
  A new feature film with a minimum runtime of seventy minutes.
• Outstanding Performances in an Original Film
  An outstanding lead or supporting performance in a fiction film eligible in the Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming category.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA BY CATEGORY:

Breakthrough Series

The awards honor exceptionally realized new fiction and nonfiction series that expand the possibilities of creativity in serialized content. The series should be realized and characterized by innovation, risk taking, creative freedom and vision, and the introduction of new voices and non-traditional subject matter that enrich the landscape or push the boundaries of television. The Gotham Award will be presented to the film’s credited Creators and Executive Producers and to directors in such cases where they are not EPs but have directed every episode of the season.

Outstanding Performances in a New Series

For an outstanding single performance in a new fiction series submitted for Breakthrough Series. The role should be for a lead or significant featured or supporting role. Up to ten performances per series may be nominated by the nominating committee. The Gotham Award will be presented to the performer.

Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming

The award honors exceptionally realized new fiction and nonfiction films. The films should be realized and characterized by innovation, risk taking, creative freedom and vision, and the introduction of new voices and non-traditional subject matter that enrich the landscape or push the boundaries of film. The Gotham Award will be presented to the film’s credited Director(s) and Producer(s).

Outstanding Performances in an Original Film

For an outstanding single performance in a new feature film eligible in the category of Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming. The role should be for a lead or significant featured or supporting role. Up to ten performances may be nominated by the nominating committee. The Gotham Award will be presented to the performer.

SUBMISSION FEES

$300 PER CATEGORY

• Breakthrough Comedy Series
• Breakthrough Drama Series
• Breakthrough Limited Series
• Breakthrough Nonfiction Series
• Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming

$150 PER CATEGORY

• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series
• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series
• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series
• Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series
• Outstanding Performance in an Original Film

For queries on eligibility and submissions, please contact Steven Pfeiffer at [email protected] 

OUR SELECTION PROCESS:

Executive Criteria Committee

An internal committee comprised of Gotham Television Awards staff ensure that submitted series and original films meet the award criteria. Ineligible entries will be disqualified at any stage of the submission and review process.

Nominating Committees

Committees comprised of critics, journalists, film and series curators, festival programmers and others not directly engaged in the production and distribution of films and television will review submissions that meet the criteria and determine the final nominees in the competitive categories.

Final Selection Juries and Award Voting

A final jury of distinguished creators will determine the winners in each category. Final juries will be comprised of creators, directors, writers, producers, editors, actors, directors of photography and others directly associated with making television series and films. Executives of companies which release or sell series or films do not participate in these selections at any stage.