Rules & Fees

Berlin Commercial awards honour outstanding work across three distinct category sections — each comprising both main and craft categories.

Submitting your work to the Berlin Commercial Awards and platform includes:

• Review by the curatorial team

• Presence within the platform (RADAR / website system)

• Ongoing visibility across festival communications

• Eligibility for all selection stages

Projects must be finalised and published by August 14, 2026 to be considered for the festival program, jury presentation, and award show screening.

Each project is reviewed, curated, and integrated into the Berlin Commercial platform and its communication ecosystem.

Submissions are structured across four entry phases, with increasing fees:

Early Bird — April 24

Regular — June 24

Late — July 24

Extended — July 31 (final deadline)
 

The goal of the awards is to identify, present, and promote the most outstanding work within a curated international context.

Please ensure your project meets the following technical requirements:

• Media type: Video

• File format: MP4 (H.264) preferred

• Alternative: MOV (H.264)

• Maximum file size: 2 GB

• Maximum duration: 12 minutes

• Recommended resolution: HD and above (1920 × 1080 or higher)

You may upload an initial version and replace it with an updated edit — including revisions to sound or color — until the final submission deadline, before jury voting begins. Simply delete and re-upload your project with the updated version.

All projects must be submitted as complete films for competition and jury consideration. Projects must be finalised and published by August 14, 2026 to be considered for the festival program, jury presentation, and award show screening and festival promotion.

The following criteria define eligibility and conditions for participation:

• Projects must be produced after March 1, 2025

• Submissions from previous years are not eligible

• Full permission from the client and/or rights holder is required

• By submitting, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights

• Submissions may be updated while entries remain open

• All entry fees are final and non-refundable

• Berlin Commercial reserves the right to disqualify any submission that violates legal, ethical, or cultural standards

• Projects must be finalised and published by August 14, 2026 to be considered for the festival program, shortlist promotion, jury presentation, award show screening and event promotion.

Requirements

• Rights holder permission

• Completed entry form

• Acceptance of terms

• Entry fee payment

A submission is considered valid only once all requirements are fulfilled.

All decisions by Berlin Commercial are final.

The voting process defines how projects are evaluated, refined, and advanced through the festival — until the final winners are announced.

• All submissions entered until July 31 (final deadline) go through a four-stage selection process designed to progressively refine the field.

• Each stage (see selection levels) functions as a curatorial filter, ensuring a focused, high-level evaluation and viewing experience

• Not all projects advance — selection is based on professional and curatorial assessment at every stage

• The process is designed to identify, present, and promote the most outstanding work within a curated international context

• A high-profile jury evaluates shortlisted projects through a structured online voting system, with combined scores determining the final winners

Within a high volume of submissions, the broader landscape of films and content worldwide, the selection process creates structure, enabling the jury to identify work that defines the moment and carries relevance into the years ahead.

The selection process unfolds across four distinct levels:

• RAW Selection — initial evaluation and early exposure

• Official Selection — selected, but not yet nominated

• Shortlist — official nomination

• Awards — final jury decision

Only Shortlisted projects enter jury voting and are eligible for awards. 

Festival events — including screenings, conferences, networking, and other event formats — are curated as separate experiences. Free access is not included with submission, and access is not guaranteed, as all events are subject to availability.

The program operates independently from the award competition and is designed as a festival layer to create opportunities for exchange, visibility, and connection across the industry.

Nominees receive personalised 30% ticket access for networking events and main shows.

Please consider - Ticket access is limited due to:

• A high volume of participating teams and attendees

• Venue and capacity limitations

• A focus on maintaining a curated, high-quality environment

Berlin Commercial is an independent, self-funded platform. Your participation helps sustain the system that curates, presents, and promotes your work within the industry.

Berlin Commercial offers a range of discounts to lower barriers to entry, support emerging talent, and ensure that culturally relevant work is seen and positioned effectively within the competition.
 

CULTURAL IMPACT (Free of Charge)

• Projects addressing gender equality, racial equality, or peace in times of war can be entered within these categories. Eligibility will be reviewed to ensure alignment with the intent of the category.
• Submissions in this category are limited to Cultural Impact and do not extend to craft categories such as Direction, Idea, or others.
• As a platform for visual culture, Berlin Commercial recognises social engagement — submit a verified donation receipt supporting a relevant social cause or initiative for people in need to receive a free upgrade to an additional category of your choice.

5+1 UPGRADE

• Submit six or more projects within the same order — the highest-priced entry is free. Discounts are applied automatically at the end of the submission process.
• The upgrade can be used across one or multiple projects — individually or in collaboration with your team and/or network.

EMERGING TALENT

40% discount applies to creatives with fewer than five paid client projects in their professional portfolio. Valid across all craft and main categories, except the New Generation Award category, which is reserved for upcoming directors.

• Student and self-initiated projects undertaken to develop your craft are not considered as paid work and can therefore be excluded from the count.
• Select “Emerging Talent” during submission — the discount is applied automatically at checkout. Eligibility will be reviewed based on your existing work (website, Vimeo, social channels).
• If criteria are not met, the full entry fee applies or the submission may be withdrawn.

As a platform for visual culture, Berlin Commercial recognises social engagement — submit a verified donation receipt supporting a relevant social cause or initiative for people in need to receive a free upgrade to an additional category of your choice.

FAMILY DISCOUNT

Previous winners receive a 25% promo code for new submissions.
Previous shortlisted creatives receive a a 15% promo code for new submissions.

Contact us via email or Instagram to receive your code.

Up to five (5) works in your professional portfolio.

This category is intended for directors who have not yet worked on high-profile, paid client projects. Student and self-initiated projects developed to build your craft are not considered paid work and may be excluded from this count.

This is a dedicated category for emerging directors. For those entering the regular competition, emerging talent receives a discounted entry.

A 40% discount applies to creatives with fewer than five paid client projects. The discount is valid across all main and craft categories, excluding the New Generation Award.

Select “Emerging Talent” during submission — the discount is applied automatically at checkout. Eligibility is reviewed based on your existing work (website, Vimeo, social channels). If criteria are not met, the full entry fee applies or the submission may be withdrawn.

Strategic feedback can be requested to refine category selection and strengthen submission positioning prior to entry.

Project links can be shared via email for strategic guidance.