Multimedia

Multimedia Guidelines

  • Each university may submit two entrants’ work per competition (or two teams in Multimedia IV).
  • Multimedia entrants must be undergraduate journalism majors or minors attending a university with an
    ACEJMC-accredited journalism program or must be recent graduates of said program.
  • Spring, summer or fall 2024 graduates may enter the 2024-2025 competitions but would not be eligible to participate in the 2025 Championship.
  • The entry must have been published before the students were graduated.
  • An entry is a single multimedia project produced by the entrant (except in the Multimedia IV – Team Competition).
  • An entry must have been posted on the web and the entrant must have completed at least three of the
    following components: writing, photos, audio slideshows, video, animation, graphics or any other visual tools. Entrants also could have used social media, including blogging. Entries must be journalism, and may not include dramatization, and are defined as a single piece of journalism executed essentially by one
    journalist.
  • If the entry is from a professional website, the editor must certify in writing be that the entry was the
    entrant’s work.
  • A multimedia piece submitted once may not be submitted again in any other competition.
  • A multimedia entrant is not eligible to enter another competition after qualifying for Championship.
  • An entrant who has won first place in the Multimedia Championship is not eligible to compete in future multimedia competitions.

How to Enter

Multimedia Competitions

Competition One: Narrative Video Storytelling

Entries consist of a story on any topic that is told through the medium of video for a digital audience.

Judges will consider the uniqueness of presentation, how the work incorporates digital storytelling techniques and the impact and strength of the journalism produced.

One video per entrant.

Entries are defined as a single piece of journalism executed essentially by one journalist. They may not include dramatization and must have been published on the web.

The entry must have been produced and posted on the web between September 1, 2023 through November 20, 2024.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by November 20, 2024.

Competition Two: Innovative Journalism

Entries demonstrate original reporting and storytelling using immersive digital tools and techniques. Stories should use emerging media that allow for innovative journalistic approaches. Examples of such tools include (but are not limited to) virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, 360 video, AI, data visualization and animation. Entries should include a short statement that explains how the entry fits this category. Judges will consider the quality of the journalism, innovative use of digital tools and techniques, originality.

Entries are defined as a single piece of journalism executed essentially by one journalist. They may not include dramatization and must have been published on the web.

Entries should include a brief explanation of the innovation attempted, the tools or techniques employed, and the success of the project in reaching and engaging the targeted community.

One project per entrant.

The entry must have been produced and posted on the web between September 1, 2024 through January 28, 2025.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by January 28, 2025.

Competition Three: Digital News or Enterprise Story – Individual

Entries consist of individual reporting based on a single news event or enterprise or explanatory journalism around a newsworthy event or issue.

Each entry must consist of at least three components that, together, tell the story. Components may include
writing, photographs, audio, video, graphics, data, emerging media and social media.

Judges will consider the newsworthiness of the topic, range and execution of digital techniques employed and the quality of the journalism.

Entries are defined as a single piece of journalism executed essentially by one journalist. They may not include dramatization and must have been published on the web.

One project per entrant.

The entry must have been produced and posted on the web between September 1, 2023 through March 4, 2025.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by March 4, 2025.

Competition Four: Digital News or Enterprise Story – Team

Entries consist of team reporting based on a single news event or enterprise or explanatory journalism around a newsworthy event or issue.

Each entry must consist of at least three components that, together, tell the story. Components may include writing, photographs, audio, video, graphics, data, emerging media and social media.

Judges will consider the newsworthiness of the topic, range and use of digital tools and techniques employed, and the quality of the journalism.

Entries may not include dramatization and must have been published on the web.

Entrants MUST be undergraduate students (with the exception of minor help from graduate students who may have assisted with the project).  Awards will be shared by the individual undergraduates on the winning teams.

There will be no Championship component for this competition.

The entry must have been produced and posted on the web between September 1, 2023 through April 15, 2025.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by April 15, 2025.
There will be no Championship component for this competition.

National Multimedia Championship

This event is open to five selected finalists: the first-place winners from competitions I, II, III (unless graduated) and two “ay large” finalists with combined or individual high scores from the multimedia competitions one through three.

Dates: May 31 – June 6, 2025

Judging

Multimedia entries will be evaluated on the following points:

  • Visual story telling
  • Writing
  • Reporting
  • Photography
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Graphics
  • Versatility
  • Human interest
  • News value
  • Originality
  • Editing
  • Navigation and Structure
  • Design