New online prize for winners of the Australian Directors Guild Awards and six new categories

For the first time, winners of this year’s Australian Directors Guild Awards (ADGA) will be able to post their showreels online as part of their prize.

The ADG’s online media partner, Showreelfinder, will post winning clips on a special ADG Awards site as well as giving all winners the opportunity to put their showreel online. There are 20 categories in this year’s awards, including six new categories. Three new digital categories are for interactive branded entertainment, cross platform interactive and also original online programs.

A highlight of the 2009 awards was Geoffrey Rush presenting directorScott Hicks with the Outstanding Achievement Award for an outstandingbody of work.

New categories introduced for traditional delivery forms are in theareas of documentary features, children’s TV and TV reality/lightentertainment.

Works screening in the 18 months from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 are eligible for entry. The ADG has extended the closing date for entries to July 12, 2010 (with a $10 late fee per entry submitted during the week of July 5).  ADGA celebrates the creative achievement of directors in film, television and new media platforms.

Winners will be announced at the Australian Directors Guild 2010 Awards dinner at the Star City Astral Room in Sydney on September 23. Entry forms and the full list of categories are available at the ADG website.