New award categories and high-calibre judging panels drawn from across the creative industries are among changes announced today to the annual ASTRA Awards as nominations open for the 2015 event.
From 2015, all ASTRA Awards will be judged by panels of eminent producers, presenters and executives, bringing the ASTRAs into line with most international and domestic award programs, including the AACTAs, Emmys and Academy Awards.
Announcing the changes, ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden said the changes represented a “coming of age” for the Australian subscription television industry, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015.
“The huge quality and range of content on subscription television deserves to be judged by the most senior and experienced leaders from the creative industries,” Mr Maiden said.
“Broadening our judging panels to include the best creative minds in the country will help ensure the ASTRA Awards are known as the pre-eminent annual prizes for quality screen content,” he said.
The 2015 ASTRA Awards will also feature 18 categories, including new individual awards for the most outstanding female presenter and male presenter.
Categories for 2015 are:
Individual awards
Female Actor
Male Actor
Female Presenter
Male Presenter
New Talent
Broadcast Journalist
Program awards
Drama (Australian)
Drama (International)
Children’s Program
Music Program
Sports Program
News Program
Reality Program
Factual Program
Lifestyle Program
General Entertainment Program
Channel of the Year
Channel Achievement Award
For more information on how to enter and eligibility, visit www.astra.org.au/awards Nominations close on Friday November 28. The location and date of the 2015 ASTRA Awards are yet to be announced.