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IDA Documentary Awards 2009

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The IDA Documentary Awards is the foremost event dedicated to the art of documentary film. All winners will be announced at the IDA Documentary Awards in Los Angeles on December 4, 2009. To apply for IDA Documentary Awards, please go to Withoutabox.com to submit your entry online.

IDA Distinguished Award Main Categories

FEATURE: Individual, stand-alone documentary, more than 40 minutes long. Student feature projects not eligible in this category and should submit as an entry in the IDA/David L. Wolper Award below. Award recipient - Limited to two persons, one of whom must be the credited Director who exercised directorial control, and the other of whom must have a Producer or Director credit.

SHORT: Individual, stand-alone documentary, less than or equal to 40 minutes long. Student short projects not eligible in this category, and should submit as an entry in the IDA/David L. Wolper Award below. Award recipients - Limited to two persons, one of whom must be the credited Director who exercised directorial control, and the other of whom must have a Producer or Director credit.

LIMITED SERIES: A limited series of episodes with a specific, continuing theme, topic or subject. (Sin City Law, The Supreme Court). Student projects are not eligible in this category. Award recipients - Limited to two persons. While co-production partners may be credited, only the Series Producer(s) will be presented with the award.

CONTINUING SERIES: An ongoing series. (American Masters, Nova, This American Life). While co-production partners may be credited, only the Executive Producer(s) of the continuing series will be presented with the award. Student projects are not eligible in this category. Award recipients - Limited to two persons.

IDA/DAVID L. WOLPER STUDENT DOCUMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT: A short or feature film/video, produced by registered, degree-seeking student(s). This award recognizes exceptional achievement in non-fiction film and video production at the university level and brings greater public and industry awareness to the work of students in the documentary field.

Special Recognition Awards

Not all five main categories of awards are eligible for every special recognition award listed below. See each one below for specific rules relating to which categories can be submitted for special recognition.

IDA/ABCNEWS VIDEOSOURCE AWARD for the best use of news footage as an integral component in a documentary. “News footage” is defined here as factual footage, contemporary or historical, shot for use in context such as newsreels, news specials, magazines or nightly news. “Integral component” is defined here as footage which is central to the structure, meaning and impact of the work. All main categories are eligible for this award.

IDA/PARE LORENTZ AWARD In keeping with the nature of Pare Lorentz's films—a successful candidate for the Pare Lorentz Award will demonstrate one or more of Lorentz's central concerns—the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all and the illumination of pressing social problems—presented as a compelling story by skillful film-making. A Pare Lorentz film will exhibit the highest production values: objective research, artistic writing, and outstanding music composition along with skillful direction, camerawork and editing. All main categories are eligible for this award.

IDA/HUMANITAS AWARD is given to a documentarian whose film strives to unify the human family by exploring the stories of human beings who are different in culture, race, lifestyle, political loyalties and religious beliefs in order to break down the wall of ignorance and fear that separates us. Only entries into the Distinguished Feature main category may apply for this award. Student projects are not eligible in this category.

IDA MUSIC DOCUMENTARY AWARD is given to a filmmaker for an outstanding documentary communicating the cultural importance of music and its power to enrich the human spirit. The entry must have all rights cleared. The award goes to ONE recipient: the credited individual who exercised creative control. Only stand-alone entries into the Distinguished Feature or Short main category may apply for this award. Student projects are not eligible in this category.

JUDGING is based on overall creative excellence. A committee of documentary filmmaking professionals screens all entries and selects all nominees. A Blue Ribbon panel picks the award winners.

To apply for the 2009 IDA Documentary Awards, please use the online submission process at Withoutabox.com.