Frequently Asked Questions

20th Annual GTAs Submission FAQs

The application for the 20th Annual Golden Trailer Awards (GTA20) is online: Click Here to be taken to the Acclaim Entry Site.

Early Deadline for Entry is Now FRIDAY January 25th, 2019 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time)

Regular Deadline for entry is Friday March 29th, 2019 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time)

Late and Final Deadline is Tuesday April 16th, 2019 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time)

For forgotten passwords, on the welcome page click the button “Login Help” which is to the left of the “Login” button and follow the instructions!

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The only specification for entry is that it come in under  200MB (for trailers), the 35MB (for posters), and 200MB (motion posters).

Click on this link to the rules for entry (a link is also located at the bottom of each page) … GTA20 RULES for ENTRY

Click on this link to the pricing information page (a link is also located at the bottom of each page)… GTA20 Entry Fees

There sure is, click here for the list … GTA20 CATEGORY LIST

‘Show categories’ mean that a clip of the all the nominated trailers in those categories will be shown during the GTA20 presentation in late May 2019 in Los Angeles. Nominated “Non-show categories” will be shown during the pre-party for GTA20 and THEN the winners of those categories will be announced on screens around the post party venue.

A: No. If the trailer/teaser/spot was cut and killed, but you or your company believes this specific trailer/teaser/spot (aka the asset) to be a great spot, then the ‘not-theatrically’ released trailer is still eligible. Talent is king.

In order to secure your early bird or regular pricing, when the asset (trailer, tv spot, poster, innovative campaign, etc.) is not finished, you can upload a “place-holder asset” by the early or regular deadline date to secure that particular pricing. Then enter the information requested and pay for your entry. This will secure your early or regular deadline pricing. You just need to remind yourself to upload the final/finished asset by the final/late deadline (April 12, 2019).

You have to enter 3 pieces of key information for the GTA20 Press release …

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so it looks like this …

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This is the information that goes in the press release for the nominee announcement so it is best to enter these 3 pieces of information now! If you need to, you can always go back into your account and update/change this information. Complete credit information for the program book et al will be gathered after the nominee announcement and you will get plenty of time to work on those.

As a company outside the US with a feature-length movie, you can submit your trailer in any category appropriate to your genre.

Certain categories are designated ‘Show Categories’ which are featured in our annual award show which will take place in LA on May 29th, 2019. The nominees for print and the ‘non-show’ and ‘foreign’ categories are shown on large TV screens throughout the venue at the Pre Party. And then the winners of all non-show are featured on the screens though-out the venue at the Post Party.

All nominated trailers (show, non-show and foreign) and posters are featured in our annual (keepsake) program book. All our program books live in perpetuity online as well for quick user reference, and your nominated films click directly through to the asset or company’s website.

As a foreign entry, ALL categories are open to you. Films from the United States are only allowed to compete in the domestic categories. In order for a US film to qualify for a foreign category, 50% of the film would need to have been shot outside the US and 50% of the financing would need to be from outside the United States. Thus, one factor to consider is less competition in Foreign Categories. Same applies to Posters/Print.

If it is a Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO, Hallmark, AMC, IFC or Starz spot for a TV/Streaming series, enter it under “Studio”
then TV Spot (TV / Streaming Services) and then the appropriate genre/category will populate the space below for you to choose from.
TV STreaming Services Sample

If it is for a Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO, Hallmark or Starz spot for a Feature Length Film, then click the button beside “Studio”
and then the button beside Trailer-Film and then the appropriate genre/category will populate the space below for you to choose from.

Studio Film Sample

When in doubt, please feel to reach out to us at info@gtahistoric.com.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple, Showtime, and HBO are considered ‘Studio’.

Trailers/TV spots for Feature Length Films produced by digital distributors HBO/Amazon/Netflix/Hulu/Apple are eligible to compete in Theatrical ‘Trailer-Film’ categories as well as their TV Spots (Feature Film).

Enter it!! and give credit where credit is due! This subject comes up most often with graphics houses and music houses. Since we don’t require credit information until nomination, we do ask for PR information so be sure to credit the main editing company too when you list your name. For example:

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This is so when the initial Press release goes out, no one is upset or has to call with changes and updates. If you need clarification here, please email us at info@gtahistoric.com or call 212-206-1041

There are no specific lengths for Teasers. Teasers tend to be any where from :30 to sometimes even :90 in length.

Yes, if you think the trailer/tv spot/asset has got what it takes but wasn’t the final selection made by the client, you may still submit it.

Best of Show is not a category one can enter. Best of Show is determined by an aggregate of the VIP jury’s tabulations cross all genres of the trailers from GTA Show Categories.

Yes, Video Game Trailers are eligible to compete in the “Best Music” show category and any other category it is eligible.

There is no requirement that the spots need to air on television or online. If the TV spot was cut and killed, but your company feels this particular trailer/spot/asset is fantastic, but it just wasn’t the one that was given the green light, then the unaired trailer is still eligible. Talent is king.

Yes, the category Most Innovative could either be one asset or multiple components. Our entry system allows you to enter up to six.

A campaign in this category could be one asset up or multiple assets, and may include as many supporting documents as you feel the campaign requires to fully convey the effectiveness or the experience.  The entry is just the one entry cost, whether it is one asset or multiple assets.  If you have multiple video assets, please combine them into one reel / one video when uploading.

Supporting examples: in previous’ years: ‘Zombie Stippers’ was one viral video. The effectiveness of this was self-evident and no further explanation was needed.  The ‘Mission Imposible’ experiential campaign consisted of: a video with users participating in the experiential event, photos of collateral and also a write up that spelled out the overall effectiveness of the campaign.  Both the above examples are eligible.

In the new era of digital, there is no specific length. Historically TV spots have been :30 and :60 seconds (sometimes :90, sometimes :15) but now, there is no set length, minimum or maximum.

To get to the TrailerByte category for your Instas/GIFs/Bytes or Blinks, first select what you are: Studio, Independent, Foreign and then please select Innovative Advertising (see screen-shot below)

Trailer Byte Screen Shot

TV Spots are traditionally :30 or :60 seconds. TV Trailers can also include :90 spots. The length of time can vary so the suggested lengths should not be considered a hard rule but should moreover serve as a guideline. Nor is there a requirement for the spot to have aired on traditional network television, to be eligible to submit under TV Spot for Feature Film, as many spots were created to air exclusively online or social media.

There are two main category groupings for TV spots. These fall into categories for  ‘TV Spots for Feature Films‘ and ‘TV Spots for TV series, streaming series, limited series, web series & mini-series‘.

In order to encompass ALL the many forms of super short form content and social media for tv series and feature films, ’TV TrailerBytes’  and ‘TrailerBytes’, respectively were created to incorporate ALL of them – so you can enter your Insta, GIFs, blinks, bytes – in this one category.

There are only 2 subcategories for these super short forms …

  1. Best TV TrailerByte (Insta / GIF / bytes / blinks)
  2. Best TrailerByte for a feature length film (Insta / GIF / bytes / blinks)

If you did an insta for a TV series, put it in the first one, if you did a Insta for a feature length film, put it in the second category.

And to get to those categories, you will need to select> Innovative Advertising

There are 9 new categories for GTA20!

And due to overwhelming industry requests, Home Entertainment will now have its own classification with six brand new categories dedicated exclusively to Home Ent and Digital Trailers.

The 9 New Categories are:

Non-show:
*Best Faith Based Trailer

Posters:
*Best Animation/Family Poster for a TV/Streaming Series
*Best Wildposts for TV/Streaming Series

The 6 Home Entertainment Categories
* Best Home Ent Animation/Family
* Best Home Ent Action
* Best Home Ent Comedy
* Best Home Ent Drama
* Best Home Ent Fantasy Adventure
* Best Home Ent Horror/Thriller

Yes, a Foreign trailer may enter the “Show Categories”.

No. As a matter of fact you can enter some by the early deadline and pay for them. Then as you finish up others, enter them and pay as you go along to get the MAXIMUM savings!

There is no limit to the amount you can submit.

Yes. Each submission may be entered into multiple categories. Once you pay the base entry fee to enter the first category, you can enter as many other categories as you wish for a reduced fee. Here are some helpful links: Click Here for GTA20 Entry Fees  and  Click here for Complete Category List for GTA20)

There is NOT a limit on the number of additional categories you may enter. Think about different aspects of your entry and enter wherever you think it is applicable. Diversification is a great strategy!

In previous years “Show Categories” were dedicated to theatrical releases; however, in this new, evolving distribution environment, where Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.  create or acquire feature film movies for distribution, those trailers are also eligible to submit as “Show Categories”.

“TV Spots for Feature Films” are also for all feature length films as well.

Due to the ever increasing and expanding distribution and viewing platforms, the Golden Trailer Awards expanded TV series category into multiple specific and relevant categories for TV series/Miniseries/Web Series/Limited Series, and/or Streaming Series, please check out all the new categories under this heading.

Please feel free to contact us if you need clarification on this expansion at 212.206.1041 or email your question to info@gtahistoric.com

 

Trailers are movie previews (originally) for a theatrical audience, but now include online trailers as well. Duration of theatrical trailers is usually 2 to 2 1/2 minutes in length. TV spots are previews that tend to be :30 or :60 seconds and were created for a television audience.

We get it. Mistakes happen. Especially in this ever-changing world where exhibition lines are blurring (theatre, online, cable cutting) and viewing habits are evolving/changing.
If an entrant makes an error in the submission process, our entry coordinators and submissions manager will do their best to catch it and correct it. For example, if an entrant submits a Feature Film asset into a TV Series Category the asset will be moved to the Feature Film Category.

This changes from year to year, but historically the GTA’s has received the most submissions in the following categories:
Show Categories:
Best Music
Best Teaser
Best Drama
Best Independent

Non-Show Categories:
Best Action TV Spot for a Feature Film
Best Drama TV Spot for a TV Show/Series
Most Original TV Spot for a Feature Film
Best Animation/Family TV Spot for a Feature Film

 

Yes, the following is a list of categories that were removed from the competition:
*Best Foreign Animation Family Trailer
*Best Foreign Romance Trailer
*Best Independent TV Spot for a Feature Film
*Best Pre-Show Theatrical Advertising for a Brand
*Most Innovative Advertising for a Video Game
*Most Innovative Advertising for a Brand/Product
*Best Film Festival Poster
*Best Film Festival Trailer
*Best Trailer for a book or novel

The “Best Music” category refers to the use of a pre-existing song or songs in a trailer (i.e. Lorde’s cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” used in the “Dracula Untold “Rule” trailer”), whereas “Best Original Score” refers to a song created specifically for the trailer or from the score for the film.

Whether you are a first time entrant or a GTA veteran … diversify! If you think your trailer has got what it takes … you should diversify and enter the more specialized categories.

The Golden Fleece award is a highly prized award. It honors a GREAT trailer for a not so great film. Historically it is one of the categories that receives the most press and is a favorite of trailer creators and fans alike!

Another favorite of the press and fans, the Trashiest Trailer is for the trailer that uses an overt amount of gore or sex to sell a film, often becoming “campy”.
Please note that in 2018, Trashiest Trailer, moved to a non-show category.

We believe that “talent is king” and independent trailers can compete with the studio trailers, just as independent movies compete with studio movies for box office dollars and eyeballs. But we also want to have a category where the best independents can compete and shine on their own. That is why some categories are strictly reserved for independents yet all categories (with the exception of Summer Blockbuster) are open to independent movie trailers.
The Best Independent category has proved so popular (and so excellent) that in 2016, we split the category in two. Best Independent is now … Best Independent and Best Independent (under $1.5Million) to shine a special spotlight on those lower budget gems.
Please note: Best Independent is a Show Category whilst Best Independent (under $1.5Million) is a non-show category.
Under $1.5Million refers to the shooting budget of the film NOT including P&A.
And Best Independent (under $1.5Million) can still enter any and all other categories including Best Independent.

An independent film is one financed outside of the studio system (outside the Majors) ie: A24, Annapurna, TWC

Yes, they are considered independents and are eligible to enter as independent films.

The Best Independent category has proved so popular (and so excellent) that it got split in two.
Best Independent is now … Best Independent and Best Independent (under $1.5Million) to shine a special spotlight on those lower budget gems.
Please note: Best Independent is a Show Category whilst Best Independent (under $1.5Million) is a non-show category.
The (Under $1.5Million) refers to the shooting budget of the film NOT including P&A.
And Best Independent (under $1.5Million) contenders can still enter any and all other categories including Best Independent.

Yes, brand new for GTA20 there are six new trailer categories which were exclusively and expressly created to serve the ever growing Home Ent & Digital Distribution Platform marketshare.
Home Entertainment trailers will now be required to be submitted into the Home Ent categories.

Register as if you are registering for the first time
Activate the account

Then give us a call [(212) 206-1041] to combine the accounts.
Please note, do not do this at the last minute – with permissions et al. it could take 24-48 hours to combine things so allow time!

In order for a trailer/TV Spot/Poster (asset et al) to qualify as “foreign”, over 50% of the FUNDING for The Film must come from outside the United States as well as having over 50% of the principal photography shot outside the United States. 

Four minutes and 30 seconds is the maximum industry length for motion picture previews. Although that is the maximum limit imposed by the MPAA, the average length of previews is 2 minutes and 30 seconds (or less). Your trailer can be any length, as long as it does not exceed 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

No, we’ve kept the process straight forward and simple and that is all there is to it. Once you upload and pay for your entries on the system, including adding the required PR information (Asset Title, Studio and Trailer House) – that is all you need to do.

If you are nominated in one of the “show categories”, you will need to upload an HD version to GTA Credit site in order for it to be edited into the presentation in Los Angeles in May 2019. A link will be sent to you along with instructions upon nominee announcement. ALL NOMINEES will be asked to provide a still from the film, list of credits, and client names that need to be credited in the GTA20 program book.
*Nominees receive one complimentary ticket per nominated entry (be it Trailer, Poster, TV spots et al) to the May 2019 ceremony and party. A rep from the GTA’s will be in contact and coordinate getting you or your company’s tickets to you.

Notifications and a press release will go out around the first week of May 2019.

That is correct! In an effort to save you all TIME and HEADACHE, we will collect the credits for the nominated trailers/posters/video games/tv spots when the nominations are announced!

Please note: You still must fill out the PR information: Trailer Title, Studio, Trailer House – this is how the press release goes out and is of the utmost importance for that initial press release!! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SKIP OVER THIS STEP!!

You can credit as many people as you like. As a reference, they will appear this way in the program book. Click here to see last year’s program book for ideas!

If there is more than one version of a trailer or TV spot, you will need to include the trailers’ subtitle.  
For example:
Film Title: Meet The Parents
Entry Material Subtitle: “Trailer B Family Time”
Please note that if this a show category, this subtitle will not appear in the lower thirds on the screen.

The upload limit is 200 MB maximum.

No. The trailer should begin after you hit play. You can have the MPAA “Green”bands or “Red” bands in front of the trailers – those are fine.

.gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png

and for motion posters: .mov and .mp4

35 MB maximum for posters and 200 MB maximum for motion posters.

It depends on your connection. If you have a slow connection it could take a few minutes. Be patient and allow yourself enough time to get all your entries in by the deadline.

Make checks payable to “The Golden Trailer Awards” and enclose a copy of your invoice and mail to:
The Golden Trailer Awards
Attn: Accounts Receivable
575 Fifth Avenue 17th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Coming Soon: ACH Payments!

No, “CLICK” on the “Invoice Only” and an invoice will be sent to your email address. Print it and make your check payable to the Golden Trailer Awards and mail it to:

The Golden Trailer Awards
Attn: Accounts Receivable
575 Fifth Ave 17th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Yes, it is not mandatory, but it is HIGHLY recommended.

If you are an independent video game company, then classify yourselves as “Independent”. If you are one of the large gaming companies (ie. EA (Electronic Arts), Activision, Sony, Universal et al.) then classify yourself as a “Studio”.

Anyone can enter: Producers, Directors, Filmmakers, Trailer Houses, Music Houses, Graphics Houses, Ad Agencies, Companies, and Individuals alike, foreign or domestic. If you have a great trailer or poster or viral campaign – ENTER IT! It is not restrictive!

If you have character billboards and or motion billboards, you should follow 2 rules of thumb:
1. Put them together as one entry and do not enter them individually
2. Show an example of them in their environment – the way they were meant to be seen

Why yes! We are glad you asked. As a matter of fact their are six new categories to serve this ever growing Market for Home Entertainment and Digital Distribution platform releases.

Best Home Ent – Family /Animation
Best Home Ent – Action
Best Home Ent – Comedy
Best Home Ent – Drama
Best Home Ent – Fantasy /Adventure
Best Home Ent – Horror /Thriller

Listing in the GTA directory on the site is free! If you or your company would like to be listed in the directory, please send your company information including: name of contact person, company phone number, company logo (Final logo size should be 200 x 150, please send it white on a transparent background if you can), your company URL, and specify which grouping you would like your company listed under: Trailer House, Print/Posters and Graphics (if your company does Title Graphics for films or TV promos). Please send to Info@gtahistoric.com and write ‘GTA Directory Listing’ in the subject line.

Email the help desk at: support@acclaimworks.com if it is a technical question with the entry system.
Any and all other questions you can email Golden Trailer Support at info@gtahistoric.com or call 212.206.1041

We are here to help you! If you get the voice mail – please leave a detailed message – the phone system will send an email to us with this information and we will get back to you as soon as we can but definitely within 24 hours!

You can email us with your question at info@gtahistoric.com or call us at 212.206.1041. We are here to help you!

Please Note:

If you call and get the voice mail – please leave a detailed message – the phone system will send an email to us with this information and we will get back to you as soon as we can but definitely within 24 hours!