The AIBs 2026 will open for entry on the 7 April.
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Categories in the AIBs 2026
Full entry information will be released nearer to the AIBs 2026 launch date
Video - ARTS and CULTURE
Category description
This category will recognise work that enriches public appreciation of arts and culture by offering fresh insight, elevating underrepresented voices, and presenting cultural stories with integrity, creativity, and depth.
This category is searching for outstanding video content that showcases artistic expression, cultural heritage, or the diverse cultural identities that shape communities. Entries may include documentaries, profiles, cultural explorations that deepen understanding of the arts or illuminate meaningful cultural stories with integrity, creativity, and depth. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Video - BROADCAST-to-DIGITAL
Category description
This category celebrates projects that bridge traditional broadcasting and digital media – expanding storytelling possibilities and embracing new ways to connect with audiences.
We are looking to recognise outstanding work that successfully adapts, transforms, or extends television news or current affairs content for digital platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Entries should demonstrate how a bulletin, individual story or an editorial concept has been creatively reimagined for digital audiences through innovative format shifts, platform‑specific storytelling, or enhanced engagement strategies.
We are looking for social media adaptations, online shorts derived from broadcast content, interactive or immersive extensions, or multiplatform storytelling that brings television journalism or factual programming to new audiences on social and emerging digital platforms.
This award is for work repurposed for organic growth on social platforms. Any work used for paid promotions is not eligible.
Video - CONTINUING NEWS COVERAGE
Category description
This category will celebrate news teams and journalists whose ongoing video coverage serves the public interest through accuracy, clarity, and commitment, ensuring audiences remain informed as stories develop and change.
This category recognises outstanding continuing news coverage in video. Entries should demonstrate consistent excellence in journalism across multiple reports, providing audiences with clear, accurate, and timely coverage of developing stories, major events, or significant public‑interest issues.
We are looking for news and editorial teams and journalists whose ongoing video coverage serves the public interest through accuracy, clarity, and commitment -ensuring audiences remain informed as stories develop and change.
Video - DAILY or BREAKING NEWS
Category description
This category will reward news teams and journalists who excel in delivering timely, trustworthy, and compelling coverage when it matters most.
This category recognises outstanding daily news reporting or breaking news coverage in video, produced under the pressure of rapidly developing events. Entries should demonstrate exceptional speed, clarity, accuracy, and editorial judgement in delivering urgent news to audiences as events unfold.
Submissions may include coverage of sudden events, major incidents, conflict, crises, fast‑moving political stories, or immediate on‑scene reporting. Programmes must reflect the highest standards of responsible journalism, even under demanding real‑time conditions.
Video - DOMESTIC AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category celebrates documentaries that shine a light on the issues shaping life at home, and are thought‑provoking, truthful, and deeply connected to domestic realities.
This category recognises outstanding factual documentaries that explore issues, events, or lived experiences within a nation’s domestic sphere. Entries should demonstrate strong journalism, compelling storytelling, and the ability to illuminate topics of significant relevance within the country.
Eligible submissions may include social‑issue documentaries, community‑based stories, cultural or societal explorations, or programmes that offer insight into challenges and developments affecting domestic life. Programmes must be rooted in factual accuracy, authentic voices, and responsible editorial practice. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Video - HEALTH, SOCIAL and WELLBEING
Category description
This category will celebrate programmes that enhance public understanding of health, wellbeing, and social care, and that motivate positive change through accurate, compassionate, and impactful storytelling.
This category recognises outstanding video content that informs, educates, or inspires audiences on issues related to health, social care, and personal or community wellbeing. Eligible entries may explore physical or mental health, health services, social support systems, lived experiences, community care, public health awareness, or initiatives that improve quality of life.
Submissions should demonstrate strong factual storytelling, sensitivity, and responsibility when handling personal, medical, or social issues. Entries may highlight challenges faced by individuals or communities, innovative approaches to care, or impactful programmes that support wellbeing and social inclusion. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Video - INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category honours work that deepens global awareness and contributes to informed public dialogue through courageous, accurate, and impactful international reporting.
This category recognises exceptional factual documentaries that explore international events, global issues, geopolitical dynamics, and cross‑border stories shaping the world today. Entries can explore foreign policy, conflict, international relations, humanitarian crises, migration, global economics, geopolitical tensions, cultural diplomacy, or the lived experiences of people affected by international developments.
Submissions should offer rigorous journalism, strong factual accuracy, and insightful storytelling that illuminates complex international contexts. Entries may include on‑the‑ground reporting, deeply human narratives, or analysis that helps audiences understand global challenges and their wider implications. Singles and series are eligible in this category.
Video - INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category will reward journalism that holds power to account and delivers compelling, fact‑driven storytelling that serves the public interest.
This category recognises outstanding investigative documentary work that uncovers new information, exposes wrongdoing, or reveals issues of significant public interest. Entries should demonstrate rigorous research, strong editorial judgment, and a commitment to accuracy, fairness, and ethical reporting.
Eligible submissions may involve long‑form investigations, undercover work, data‑led analysis, whistle‑blower testimony, or deep examinations of systems, institutions, or social issues. Programmes should bring clarity and accountability to matters that affect individuals, communities, or wider society. Singles and series are eligible in this category.
Video - JOURNALIST of the YEAR
Category description
This category celebrates journalists whose work exemplifies excellence, credibility, and dedication to the highest standards of factual storytelling.
This category will reward an individual journalist who has demonstrated outstanding excellence in video journalism across news or any factual genre. Entrants should show exceptional storytelling ability, editorial integrity, and a commitment to delivering impactful, high‑quality journalism that informs, engages, and serves the public interest.
The journalist’s individual skill and contribution should be clearly demonstrated in the showreel of their work.
Video - OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category recognises outstanding factual programmes or series that employ the observational mode — capturing events, environments, and people with minimal intervention from the filmmaker.
This category celebrates immersive, real‑time storytelling that places audiences inside authentic situations, allowing stories, characters, and moments to emerge naturally through close observation rather than narration or presenter‑led structure. Entries may explore any subject — from social issues and culture to institutions, science, the environment, politics, or everyday life — as long as the approach is primarily observational. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Video - POLITICS and BUSINESS
Category description
This category celebrates programmes that help audiences make sense of the political and economic forces shaping their world through clear, accurate, and compelling video journalism.
This category recognises outstanding video journalism or factual programming that explores political developments, governance, public policy, economics, finance, corporate activity, or the intersection of politics and business. Entries should demonstrate strong editorial rigour, clear storytelling, and an ability to explain complex political or economic issues in a way that is accessible and engaging for audiences.
Submissions may include political reporting, economic analysis, business investigations, profiles of political or business leaders, examinations of policy impacts, or coverage of significant political or commercial events. Programmes can be investigative, explanatory, or observational in style, as long as they maintain factual accuracy and contribute to informed public understanding. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Video - SHORT FEATURE
Category description
This category celebrates short documentaries that deliver high‑quality factual storytelling with precision, creativity, and purpose.
This category recognises outstanding short‑form documentary films that deliver powerful and engaging factual storytelling within a concise timeframe. Eligible submissions must be between 5 and 20 minutes in length and should demonstrate strong editorial focus, clarity of purpose, and creative use of the short format.
Entries might include character‑led stories, cultural or social explorations, observational or investigative short features, or thematic short features. Programmes should present authentic voices, factual accuracy, and a compelling narrative shaped to fit the shorter duration.
Video - SUSTAINABILITY
Category description
This category celebrates work that informs, motivates, and empowers audiences by showcasing the people, ideas, and discoveries shaping a more sustainable and scientifically informed future.
This category recognises outstanding factual content that explores sustainability through the critical intersections of environment, science, and nature. Entries can highlight the challenges facing our planet, the scientific understanding that underpins sustainability efforts, or the natural systems and species that depend on responsible stewardship.
Eligible submissions may examine climate change, conservation, biodiversity, ecological science, environmental justice, community‑driven sustainability initiatives, innovative climate solutions, or the impact of human behaviour on ecosystems and natural resources. Singles or series are eligible for this category.
Audio - ARTS and CULTURE
Category description
This category celebrates audio work that brings arts and culture to life, and that is informative, creative, and deeply engaging for listeners.
This category recognises outstanding audio storytelling that explores artistic expression, cultural heritage, creative practice, and the diverse cultural identities that shape communities. Entries may include documentaries, features, podcasts, profiles, performance‑based audio, or cultural explorations that deepen listener understanding of the arts, artists, or cultural experiences.
Programmes may highlight creative processes, cultural traditions, emerging or established artists, community arts projects, or the social and historical contexts that influence artistic work. Singles or series are eligible.
Audio - CURRENT AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category recognises outstanding audio journalism that examines and explains significant political, social, or economic issues through sustained, in‑depth reporting. Entries should demonstrate strong editorial rigour, clear storytelling, and the ability to provide meaningful insight into current events, public debates, or issues of national or international relevance.
Eligible submissions may include radio features, podcasts, or continuing current‑affairs strands. Programmes should offer depth, context, and clarity, helping audiences understand issues in a balanced, accessible, and engaging way. Singles or series are eligible.
Audio - HEALTH, SOCIAL and WELLBEING
Category description
This category celebrates audio work that informs, supports, and inspires, shining a light on the issues that shape people’s health, social lives, and overall wellbeing.
This category recognises outstanding audio journalism and factual storytelling that explores issues related to physical and mental health, social care, community wellbeing, and the experiences of individuals or groups navigating these areas. Entries should demonstrate sensitivity, clarity, and strong editorial judgement when presenting personal stories or dealing with vulnerable individuals.
Eligible submissions may include podcasts, radio features, documentary‑style audio, or current‑affairs pieces that address topics such as healthcare systems, lived experience, mental health, social inequality, caregiving, disability, public health initiatives, or community‑led wellbeing projects. Singles and series are eligible in this category.
Audio - INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION
Category description
This category recognises outstanding achievement in creative, original, and innovative audio production.
Entries should demonstrate how innovative techniques, format experimentation, or inventive use of sound elevate storytelling and enhance listener engagement.
Eligible submissions may include documentaries, podcasts, audio features, sound‑rich narratives, or experimental formats that push the boundaries of traditional audio. Innovation may be shown through sound design, narrative structure, recording approach, technology use, or fresh editorial concepts.
Audio - INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY
Category description
This category celebrates journalism that holds power to account and delivers compelling, fact‑driven storytelling that serves the public interest.
This category recognises outstanding investigative documentary work that uncovers new information, exposes wrongdoing, or reveals issues of significant public interest. Entries should demonstrate rigorous research, strong editorial judgment, and a commitment to accuracy, fairness, and ethical reporting.
Eligible submissions may involve long‑form investigations, undercover work, data‑led analysis, whistle‑blower testimony, or deep examinations of systems, institutions, or social issues. Programmes should bring clarity and accountability to matters that affect individuals, communities, or the wider society. Singles or series are eligible for entry.
Audio - JOURNALIST of the YEAR
Category description
This category celebrates journalists who exemplify excellence in the audio medium and demonstrate dedication to the highest standards of factual storytelling.
This category honours an individual journalist who has demonstrated exceptional excellence in audio journalism. The award recognises reporters or presenters whose body of audio work reflects outstanding storytelling skill, editorial integrity, and a commitment to delivering impactful journalism that informs, engages, and serves the public interest.
Showreels may include podcasts, radio reports, investigative audio features, documentary series, current affairs programmes, or any factual audio content where the journalist’s individual contribution and journalistic achievement are clea
Audio - NEWS COVERAGE
Category description
This award is for audio news teams and journalists who excel in delivering trustworthy, timely, and compelling coverage when speed, clarity, and accuracy matter most.
This category recognises outstanding audio news coverage that delivers timely, accurate, and engaging reporting on significant events. Entries should demonstrate strong newsgathering skills, clear editorial judgement, and the ability to communicate fast‑moving or developing stories with precision and impact.
Eligible submissions can include bulletins, news reports, breaking‑news coverage, live or near‑live reporting, rolling news updates, or continuing coverage of unfolding events. Coverage must uphold the highest standards of responsible journalism while making effective use of the audio medium.
Audio - SUSTAINABILITY
Category description
This category celebrates work that informs, motivates, and empowers audiences, showcasing the people, ideas, and discoveries shaping a more sustainable and scientifically informed future, while fostering deeper appreciation for the environment and the natural systems we depend on.
This category recognises outstanding factual content covering sustainability through the exploration of the critical intersections of environment, science, and nature. Entries should highlight the challenges facing our planet, the scientific understanding that underpins sustainability efforts, and the natural systems and species that depend on responsible stewardship.
Eligible submissions can examine climate change, conservation, biodiversity, ecological science, environmental justice, community‑driven sustainability initiatives, innovative climate solutions, or the impact of human behaviour on ecosystems and natural resources. Programmes may be investigative, explanatory, or feature‑led, but must be grounded in factual accuracy and responsible reporting. Singles and series are eligible.
