A Celebration of

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Excellence

in Entertainment

Credit Where it's due

Entries are now being accepted for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards®, celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts and those who promote social justice through creative work.

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Submission Deadline: December 18, 2020 (6PM PST)

Prepare to Submit

The eligibility period for all projects is January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020.
The NAACP has acknowledged that the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has affected the entertainment industry. The NAACP Image Awards has made several rules and guideline changes to ensure that our process has taken into account current conditions. We believe that there are a significant number of eligible projects across genres which display the excellence and achievement of people of color.
The performance or project cannot be used from a previously released project that would have qualified in a previous year (i.e. a rebroadcast performance, a performance in a released film being rebroadcast, or a remix of a song or album from a previous year or reprint of a released book). Legacy projects that are rebroadcasted or rereleased do not qualify.

Motion Picture Categories

A film is considered a feature if it is 70 minutes or more in length and a short form if it is under 40 minutes in length, and that includes credits.

Television + Streaming Categories

Projects (and individual achievements within it) must have had an original broadcast, cable or broadband airdate. An entry in drama and comedy will apply to a series and not a specific episode. A series is a minimum of six (6) episodes, with a 1/2 hour or 1-hour format.

A Short Form Project must have an average episode running time of 3 minutes to 17 minutes. This will include over-the-air, cable, satellite and internet exhibition. A minimum of six episodes must air within the current eligibility year to qualify as a short form series. Content must be original. All other rules for Comedy or Drama Series, Variety, or Reality/Nonfiction apply.

Recording Categories

Projects must have been released/debuted and had general distribution nationally within the eligibility period. Recordings must be available to the public as stand-alone, audio-only purchases or streams and a new recording.

Literary Categories

Projects must have been released/debuted and distributed nationally. All literary submissions must provide an ISBN. Physical copies must be made available for the nominating committee and will have a designated period to be shipped to the office. You must provide shipping information along with delivery confirmation. Lack of product within the designated period will constitute a disqualification.

Television + Streaming

Outstanding Animated Series
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety
Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Recording

Outstanding International Song
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental
Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Outstanding Producer of the Year

Motion Picture

Outstanding International Motion Picture
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Nominate a
NAACP Member

Calling all NAACP members: nominate an activist for their work and commitment in bringing about political and/or social change within our communities. Nomination submissions are open exclusively to NAACP members, with final nominee selection by NAACP branches.