Final Reminder: Rookie Awards 2025 Entries Close Soon
The submission deadline for Rookie Awards 2025 is fast approaching, and we’re encouraging all educators and administrators to make a final push to get your students involved.
The submission deadline for Rookie Awards 2025 is fast approaching, and we’re encouraging all educators and administrators to make a final push to get your students involved.
Entries close June 20, 2025 (09:00am UTC).
This isn’t just a competition. It’s a pipeline into the creative industries. Every year, top studios around the world use the Rookie Awards to scout new talent, from visual effects and animation, to games, immersive media, and digital design.
Why It Matters for Your School
1. Real Exposure. Real Opportunities.
Entries are reviewed by recruiters, creative directors, and senior artists from leading studios such as Fortiche, Hugo Boss, Skydance Animation, Ghost VFX, and many more. Your students won’t just be seen, they’ll be assessed for internships, mentorships, and career opportunities.
2. Strengthen Graduate Outcomes
Participation helps bridge the gap between education and employment. For many students, the Rookie Awards have been the key moment that led to job offers, internships, or being scouted directly by a recruiter.
3. Boost Your School’s Global Ranking
Submissions count toward our annual Rookies Global School Rankings, the most respected benchmark that highlights the quality and success of creative programs worldwide. The more high-quality entries you submit, the more data we have to recognize your institution in our rankings.
What You Can Do This Week
Remind students to finalise their entries now
They don’t need to submit dozens of projects, just 2–3 strong, well-presented pieces that show they’re ready for industry. Encourage them to prioritise quality over quantity. If they’re submitting large videos, make sure they allow enough time to upload via Vimeo or YouTube well before the deadline. Last-minute uploads are the most common reason for incomplete submissions. Now is the time to check links, polish titles, and double-check everything is working.
Encourage a professional presentation
Clear visuals. Short, purposeful descriptions. No bloated breakdowns or overly long explanations. Remind students that judges are professionals reviewing many entries, they’re looking for clarity, intention, and polish. This is their chance to demonstrate not just technical skill, but also how they present themselves as a creative professional.
Help students choose the right category
Rookie of the Year covers 12 creative industries, from Games, Animation, and VFX to Product Design, Web & App, and Digital Fashion. Guide students to think about where they want to work, not just what they’ve studied. For group projects, such as short films or games, they can also enter Film of the Year or Game of the Year, but remind them to submit a separate Rookie of the Year entry to highlight their individual contribution.
Encourage Career Opportunities add-ons
If students are hoping to land internships, mentorships, or entry-level roles, make sure they add a Career Opportunity application to their Rookie of the Year entry. It only takes a few extra minutes, and it can open direct pathways to real positions offered by our industry partners.
We’ve created detailed documentation and walkthroughs to make the submission process as smooth as possible:
View the Contest & Submit Entries
Final Word
You’ve helped your students build the skills. Now give them the platform. Rookie Awards 2025 is designed to spotlight the next generation of creative professionals, and we’d love to showcase the talent coming out of your school.
If you have any questions, or want help activating your cohort quickly, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Let’s make sure your students, and your school, get the recognition they deserve.
