13th BFDG Production Design Awards Information, Entries and Categories
The 13th British Film Designers Guild Production Design Awards
On the 12 September, the 13th BFDG Production Design Awards will be launched, and members will be asked for their project entries (which they should verify against the criteria for each award). The committee will send out a list of checked and verified entries but ask for amendments / omissions from members.
The initial entry will be made here. Information required will be: project title, production company, release date & HoD information.
Once these details have been checked and verified each entry will be invited to support their entry with assets.
ASSETS SUBMISSION: Before submitting the assets any permissions required must have been obtained. Full details of the submission requirements can be sought from the office [email protected]
Members may enter a project that they have worked on.
A voting link, together with a link to all submissions will be sent to members on 4 December – members will be asked to vote in each category on either the list of candidates or project by ranking them*
Members may vote for a project they have worked on.
Deadline for the first vote is midnight on 7 January 2024.
*Except Short Film, Planet Positive, Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Contribution
There will be three finalists in each category at the awards, except for Planet Positive, Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Contribution to the Art Dept. Planet Positive, Spotlighting New Talent, Outstanding Contribution to the Art Dept and the Lifetime Achievement awards will not be included in the 2nd vote as these awards will be judged by committee members.
This link will be sent to members on 15 January 2024 together with a link to the voting details – members will be asked to vote on their 1st choice 2nd choice and 3rd choice by ranking them. If there is a tie, the winner will be the project which has received the most 1st choice votes
Members may vote for a project they have worked on.
*Except Sustainability, Spotlighting New Talent, Outstanding Contribution to the Art Dept & Lifetime Achievement.
The 13th British Film Designers Guild Production Design Awards categories:
Below are the final criteria, parameters and deadline dates for the fifteen awards categories.
This award’s intention is to highlight the future stars of the next generation of filmmakers.
Named in honour of Production Designer and BFDG member, Peter Lamont. Peter was always keen to help and support young talent in the Art Department and as this award’s intention is to highlight the future stars of the next generation of filmmakers the BFDG thought it would be a fitting tribute to dedicate this award to him.
This award is now open to BFDG members and art department juniors outside of the BFDG but only BFDG HoD members can make the nomination.
This award is to recognise those working in the advertising industry art departments.
To qualify for this award, a commercial must be at least 30 seconds in length.
This award relates to Commercials released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023 based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
Any commercial must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew: production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or art director (AD), set decorator (SD) or stylist. Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD, SD, AD or stylist) of the winning Commercial including non-BFDG members. Up to 6 Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD (or AD). Additional certificates are available at a small additional cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
This Award is intended to celebrate a wider group of BFDG members’ creativity, who work on smaller budget productions.
This award relates to films with a max running time (incl credits) of 40 mins. Films may be fiction or non-fiction.
This award relates to films released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023 based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
Any short film must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD) art director (AD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SD or AD) of the winning Short film including non-BFDG members. Up to 6 Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available at a small additional cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
Voting: The first round of voting to establish the three finalists for this award will be carried out by a specialist committee of BFDG members. The Membership will then be asked to vote to establish the final winner. (If any BFDG member would like to join this committee, please contact the office [email protected].)
The Planet Positive Award will go to either an Art Department or individual Art Department member who champions environmental sustainability in their work. The nominated Art Department team MUST include at least one BFDG HoD.
The award can also be extended to particular production or sustainability co-ordinator who worked closely with the nominated Art Department.
We are looking for a Art Department team or individual that can demonstrate their best efforts to produce either environmentally sensitive designs and construction methods, sustainably sourced materials, props and/or thoughtful end of life planning. Alternatively maybe you have used innovative technology, including pre visualisation or Virtual Production to help reduce the environmental impact of your project?
We are also interested to receive entries that include designs and props that maximise the creative opportunity to showcase sustainability on the screen.
The full entry and criteria document contains more detailed information.
All Entries will be reviewed and judged by the BFDG committee, albert, our Planet Positive sponsor and sustainability professionals working in film & TV. This award has been created in association with albert.
Please do get in touch us if you have any queries about your possible entry – we will be happy to provide assistance. Email: [email protected]
This award relates to television entertainment including unscripted TV for genres such as quiz shows, talent shows, chat shows and reality based shows, and band one TV Drama and Comedy programmes released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023 based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
Any nominated Television Entertainment must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or if no SAD, then the Art Director (AD), Set Decorator (SD) or if no SD, then Production Buyer (PB). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD/AD & SD/PB) of the winning television drama including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
This award relates to Television Band Two programmes released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023 based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
Any nominated Television Band 2 Programme must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or if no SAD, then the Art Director (AD), Set Decorator (SD) or if no SD, then Production Buyer (PB). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD/AD & SD/PB) of the winning television drama including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees
This award relates to TV Band Three and Four Programmes released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
Any nominated TV Band 3 or 4 Programme must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD), set decorator (SD) and art director (AD) if no supervising art director. Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD or AD, SD) of the winning Light Entertainment Programme including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees
This award relates to Feature Films (under £30m) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray a time period at least 20 years prior to the present awards year. * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD – numbers above that can be produced but will have to be paid for.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category. In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
This award relates to Feature Films (under £30m) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray places of a realistic nature within 20 years either side of the present awards year * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD – numbers above that can be produced but will have to be paid for.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category, In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
This award relates to Feature Films (under £30m) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray places of an imaginative and inventive nature. * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category, In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
This award relates to Major Motion Pictures (£30 million plus) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray a time period at least 20 years prior to the present awards year. * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees.
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category, In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
This award relates to Major Motion Pictures (£30 million plus) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray a places of a realistic nature within 20 years either side of the present awards year * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to six Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category. In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
This award relates to Major Motion Pictures (£30 million plus) released in the UK (from 1st January 2023 to midnight on 31st December 2023) based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates. (Release can mean theatrical or streamed / on-demand broadcast including festival screenings.)
To qualify in this category, a feature film must have the majority of its sets and locations designed to portray places of an imaginative and inventive nature. * In the event that the film straddles more than one genre, we will follow the 51% or more rule noted below.
Nominated Feature Films must have at least one HoD who is also a full BFDG member on the crew; production designer (PD), supervising art director (SAD) or set decorator (SD). Trophies will be given to these senior members (PD, SAD & SD) of the winning feature film including non-BFDG members. Up to 6 Certificates of Excellence will be given to members of the art department (whether Guild members or not) as advised by the PD. Additional certificates are available to purchase at a small cost.
Certificates will also be given to all finalist nominees
*In many cases a feature film may include a combination of two or more of the three categories (Period, Contemporary or Fantasy). You may specify your category choice but the Awards Committee has the right to move a film to a more appropriate category. In most cases, we will recognise the film in the category that represents 51% or more of the running time unless otherwise noted above.
Up to five winners for this award will be chosen from the membership (not an HoD) of the Guild and will be nominated by BFDG members.
With this Award, the BFDG aims to celebrate the broad spectrum of Art Department talent within our industry. From Storyboard Artists to Art Directors and all the others in between, this is your chance to nominate a fellow member who you feel has made a positive impact on the Art Department and deserves to be recognised. It could be through their craft skill or talent, mentorship of a colleague, or perhaps their kindness and thoughtfulness of others.
Each entry by a member should be accompanied by a paragraph of minimum 100 words about why their candidate should be considered – a link to a form on our website will be sent to all members.
Judging for this award will be made by the BFDG committee and an industry representative.
This person will be chosen from both the BFDG membership & the wider art department.
This award is for Art Department members who we would like to honour, having had a long and extensive career and who have made their creative mark on this industry, benefiting their department as a whole.
Each entry by a BFDG member should be accompanied by a paragraph, of a minimum 100 words, about why their candidate should be considered – a link to a form on our website will be sent to all members.
Judging for this award will be made by the committee.
