2024 Categories and Submission Requirements

Honours the outstanding and collaborative work of an editorial team—editors and content creators—in creating an original series of related or thematic editorial content that best serves its intended audience by maximizing the potential of digital publishing. The quality of the storytelling as well as the value to readers will be judged. Two awards for Best Digital Editorial Package will be presented based on the size* of the publications (Small; Large).

*Each publication submitting for Best Digital Editorial Package will be asked to identify as small or large on the submission form. Ultimately, the jury for this category will determine how to classify each publication, to ensure a fair competition between entries in each division.

Submission Requirements: Submit the main URL of the Editorial Package and up to three (3) additional URLs to specific content in the package. Judges will be advised to explore all elements of the package to evaluate functionality and user experience as well as the quality and presentation of content.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Digital Editorial Package:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the packaging and presentation of written, visual, interactive and/or multimedia content;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the package engage its intended audience through the digital medium?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s)

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours outstanding reporting in any digital format where the presentation and analysis of numerical data is central to the creation of a compelling story.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the story to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Data Journalism:

• Quality of data and analysis;
• Quality of narrative structure, including style and creativity of the storytelling;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the story presented with the digital medium in mind? Does the story hold the interest of the intended audience?

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours a recurring column that best serves its intended audience through commentary, opinion, visual, audio, and/or interactive elements. This award recognizes the body of a work of a single columnist.

Submission Requirements: Submit the main URL of column and up to three (3) URLs to specific content. Judges will be advised to explore the column section to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Column:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the column’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours excellence in news reporting of a single topic or event based on the enterprise and skill of the reporter or team of reporters, including insightful analysis and compelling narrative. This award will go to the digital publication that best serves its audience through timely, original reporting on any single topic or event of local, provincial, national or international significance. This category is intended for small, local publications only. Eligible publications include community newspapers/media, student publications; publications produced by local and community organizations.

Submission Requirements: Submit URLs for up to five (5) articles or elements that demonstrate coverage. Judges are advised to evaluate functionality and user experience as well as the quality and presentation of content.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best News Coverage (Community Publication):

• Overall quality of writing and reporting;
• Overall quality of the presentation of written, visual, interactive and/or multimedia content;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the news coverage engage its intended audience through the digital medium?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours excellence in news reporting of a single topic or event based on the enterprise and skill of the reporter or team of reporters, including insightful analysis and compelling narrative. This award will go to the digital publication that best serves its audience through timely, original reporting on any single topic or event of local, provincial, national or international significance.

Submission Requirements: Submit URLs for up to five (5) articles or elements that demonstrate coverage. Judges will be advised to evaluate functionality and user experience as well as the quality and presentation of content.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best News Coverage:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting;
• Overall quality of the presentation of written, visual, interactive and/or multimedia content;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the news coverage engage its intended audience through the digital medium?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours an outstanding feature story of any length with an emphasis on climate change and its effects.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Feature Article:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best short feature story (3000 words or less) in terms of the overall quality of writing, including but not limited to reporting, personal essays, criticism, reviews and other non-fiction genres.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Feature Article:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best long feature story (minimum 3001 words) in terms of the overall quality of writing, including but not limited to reporting, personal essays, criticism, reviews and other non-fiction genres.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Feature Article (Long):

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best overall story in which the writer’s perspective and/or personal experience is the main focus.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the essay to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Personal Essay:

• Overall quality of the storytelling, including style and creativity;
• Overall impact of the personal essay; and
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best overall story dealing with cultural issues or subjects related to the arts, culture, and entertainment

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Arts & Culture Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the storytelling, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the story’s content; and
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best overall story dealing with issues or subjects of science or technology, including investigative reporting, analysis and/or profiles.

Submission Requirements:  Submit a URL to the article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Science and Technology Storytelling:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best feature story that is driven by practical information, advice, or instructional content in any field or subject.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Service Feature:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Photographer(s); Art Director(s); Designer(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours the best lifestyle story that entertains its audience while providing inspiration and information on a wide variety of topics, including—but not limited to—fashion, food, travel, health, pop culture, and relationships. Entries may consist of any article, podcast episode, video, or social media content with a clear focus on lifestyle topics.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the story to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Lifestyle Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the storytelling, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the story’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the story presented with the digital medium in mind? Does the story hold the interest of the intended audience?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Photographer(s); Art Director(s); Designer(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours creative excellence in the production of a video by a digital publisher that is six (6) minutes or less in length. The video must have been produced for a digital platform.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Online Video: Feature:

• Overall quality of video production, including videography and video editing;
• Overall quality of the video content, reporting;
• Overall impact of the video: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the video should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the video.

This category rewards: Reporter(s); Video Producer(s); Video Editor(s); Videographer(s); Director(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours creative excellence in the production of a video by a digital publisher that is longer than six (6) minutes in length. The video must have been produced for a digital platform.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Online Video: Mini-Doc:

• Overall quality of video production, including videography and video editing;
• Overall quality of the video content, reporting;
• Overall impact of the video: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

This category rewards: Reporter(s); Video Producer(s); Video Editor(s); Videographer(s); Director(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the podcast series that best serves its intended audience. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to: daily news, news commentary, politics and government, business, sports, and science and technology. The originality of the theme and the quality of production will be judged, as well as creative use of the podcasting or audio medium. Submissions must consist of three (3) episodes.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to three (3) specific episodes to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the overall quality of the audio content and production (including reporting, mixing and editing) as well as its impact on the intended audience.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Podcast:

• Overall quality of the audio production, including mixing and editing;
• Overall quality of the audio content, including reporting;
• Overall impact of the podcast: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the podcast should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the podcast series.

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the podcast series that best serves its intended audience. Submission topics may include, but are not limited to: entertainment, books, design, fashion, food, performing arts, visual arts, film, TV, music, history, relationships, and health and fitness. The originality of the theme and the quality of production will be judged, as well as creative use of the podcasting or audio medium. Submissions must consist of three (3) episodes.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to three (3) specific episodes to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the overall quality of the audio content and production (including reporting, mixing and editing) as well as its impact on the intended audience.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Podcast:

• Overall quality of the audio production, including mixing and editing;
• Overall quality of the audio content, including reporting;
• Overall impact of the podcast: How successfully does the subject matter engage its intended audience?

Note: The length of the podcast should not be a primary consideration in evaluating the overall excellence of the podcast series.

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the digital publication with the most successful and original overall combination of visual and graphic design elements with functionality and user experience. Submissions may include, but not limited to: entire websites, micro-sites, tablet editions, mobile apps and one-off projects of any kind.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the main point of entry for design to be evaluated.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Digital Design:

• Overall quality of the design elements, including design architecture and integration of written visual, graphic-design, multimedia and other elements;
• Functionality & user experience: How successfully does the design contribute to a successful presentation of content and engage the publication’s intended audience?
• Overall impact of the design as a whole, including design innovation.

Note: Conformity to the latest trends in visual style is not a criterion. Judges are requested to consciously avoid a faddish sensibility. Aesthetic concerns must be balanced with the practical.

This category rewards: Digital Designer(s); Digital Developer(s); Graphic Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Honours outstanding use of photography to tell a story, including photojournalism, photo essay, photo galleries, conceptual photography and photo-illustration. Entries must consist of a series of photographs commissioned by the publication and/or brand. Partially repurposed content is eligible, but entries must have been created and designed specifically for a digital platform.

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the story to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate functionality and user experience as well as the quality and presentation of story.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Photo Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the photography and the art direction;
• Overall quality of the content;
• User experience and overall impact: How successfully does the publication’s photo storytelling engage the intended audience?

Note: The quality of the text (if applicable) should not be a primary consideration in evaluating Best Photo Storytelling.

This category rewards: Content Creator(s); Publisher(s); Editor(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

This category honours outstanding storytelling whose content or style does not clearly fit the definition of any other category. Entries may consist of—but are not limited to—text, photographs and visual art, graphic narratives and comics, social media, audio, infographics, or any combination of elements serving a single story. The intent of this award is to recognize achievement in storytelling that is not easily classified. 

Submission Requirements: Submit a URL to the story to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best One-of-a-Kind Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the storytelling content and design elements;
• Innovation and creativity in the development, deployment and/or design of storytelling elements;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the story engage the publication’s intended audience?

This category rewards: Content Creator(s); Publisher(s); Editor(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours the outstanding work of an individual or editorial team in creating original and engaging content via a regular email series that best serves its intended audience. Editorial elements may include but are not limited to text, audio, photographs, illustrations, infographics, and visual elements. Newsletters must be designed specifically for the email platform. They should feature original content and not simply a reproduction of the publication’s website.

This award recognizes email content which is editorial in nature. The newsletter can make use of reporting done for the publication’s other properties. Emails created for marketing or promotional purposes, or for the sole or main purpose of providing readers with links to the publication’s website content, should not be submitted for this category.

The quality of the content as well as the value to readers will be judged.

Submission Requirements: Submit a brief statement (max 500 words) that:

A) introduces the publication to the jury;
B) articulates the publication’s strategy for newsletters;
C) provides context for the development and deployment of the emails; and
D) comments on the impact of the newsletter.

Submit a URL to the main point of entry, and URLs to the three newsletters to be evaluated.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Editorial Newsletter:

• Overall quality of the content and the design elements, relevance of the theme;
• Successful integration of written visual, graphic-design, and other elements;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the publication’s newsletter series engage the intended audience?

This category rewards: Content Creator(s); Publisher(s); Editor(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Honours an innovative digital creation, project or concept (a user-facing tool, an application, a presentation of data, etc.), or an innovation in a project that leverages data-driven technology or design (graphics, trend analyses, interactive tools) to enhance the storytelling, the audience engagement and/or experience.

Submission Requirements: Submit a brief statement (max 500 words) introducing and providing context for innovation, and submit URLs to each of the platforms or components to be evaluated. 

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Innovation in Digital Storytelling:

• Overall quality of the content elements;
• Innovation and creativity in the development, deployment and/or concept of digital feature;
• Functionality, user experience, and overall impact: How successfully does the innovation engage the publication’s intended audience?

This category rewards: Publisher(s); Editor(s); Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.

Emerging Excellence Award

Honours an individual whose early work in Canadian digital publishing shows the highest degree of craft and promise. This award may recognize a writer, visual creator, designer, developer, publisher or other young professional who has demonstrated excellence and potential in one or more areas of Canadian digital publishing. This award is open to any individual under the age of 30. Nominations for this award should come from one or more colleagues or mentors of the individual.

Submission Requirements: Entries must consist of a letter of introduction (PDF) from a publisher, editor, art director, or mentor, which should include:

A) a brief bio of the candidate;
B) a summary of their achievements; and
C) links to specific work and media to be considered by the jury. The submission may also include supporting letters or testimonials from other colleagues, as well as images and screenshots, provided the entire submission consists of a single PDF file not more than five (5) pages in length.

Judging Criteria: The jury should consider the following criteria in evaluating the Emerging Excellence Award:

• Quality & Creativity: How successfully does the candidate’s professional work demonstrate a commitment to creative and high-quality digital journalism or content creation?
• Impact: How successfully has the candidate made a positive impact on their work environment, colleagues, and/or Canadian digital publishing?
• Potential: How successfully do the candidate’s achievements to date demonstrate the potential for future success in digital publishing?

This category may reward: Publisher; Editor; Writer; Visual Creator; Digital Content Creator; Digital Developer; Digital Designer.

The entry fee for this award is $25.

There is no cash prize with this award.

Digital Publishing Leadership Award

Honours an individual whose career contributions to Canadian digital publishing deserve recognition and celebration. This award may recognize a writer, visual creator, designer, developer, publisher or other digital publishing professional who has demonstrated leadership, inspiration, creativity and achievement in one or more areas of Canadian digital publishing. Nominations for this award should come from three or more colleagues of the individual.

Submission Requirements: Entries must consist of a letter of introduction (PDF) from a publisher, editor, art director, or other colleague, which should include:

A) a brief bio of the candidate;
B) a summary of their career achievements; and
C) links to specific work and media to be considered by the jury. The submission must also include supporting letters or testimonials from at least two (2) other colleagues. The entire submission should consist of a single PDF file not more than 10 pages in length. Applications will be kept under consideration for two (2) years.

Judging Process: The jury for this award will be comprised of members of the NMAF Board of Directors and senior members of the Canadian digital publishing industry, who will consider all applicants and vote on the winner. Candidates not selected will remain under consideration for two additional years. The jury will consider 4 main criteria pertaining to each candidate:

• Quality & Creativity: How successfully do the candidate’s professional achievements demonstrate a commitment to creative and high-quality digital journalism?
• Impact: How successfully has the candidate made a positive impact on their work environment, colleagues, and Canadian digital publishing?
• Leadership: How successfully has the candidate demonstrated a commitment to fostering development and innovation in Canadian digital publishing, and to inspiring their colleagues toward achieving excellence?

This category may reward: Publisher; Editor; Writer; Visual Creator; Digital Content Creator; Digital Developer; Digital Designer.

There is no cash prize with this award.

The entry fee for this award is $25.

Honours the publications that most successfully fulfill their editorial mandate, represent the highest journalistic standards, and effectively serve their intended audience by maximizing the possibilities afforded by the medium of digital publishing. Three awards for General Excellence will be presented, based on the size* of the publications (small; medium; and large).  Eligible publications include online-only as well as digital properties of magazines, newspapers, broadcasters and B2B publications.

*Each publication submitting for General Excellence is asked to identify as small, medium or large. Ultimately, NMAF staff and the jury for this category will determine how to classify each publication, to ensure a fair competition between entries in each division.

Submission Requirements: Complete the online Application Form, including answering the following questions:

A) describe the editorial mandate of the publication;
B) highlight the achievements of the publication during the past year;
C) provide relevant data on unique visitors per month, page views per month and growth (2023 vs. 2022 or since launch if the publication was created in 2023);
D) indicate the size of the editorial team/newsroom (for publications that also publish a print or broadcast edition, the number must include all members of the editorial team) and the number of regular collaborators; and
E) include links to specific content or elements for the jury’s attention. Submit the main URL of the publication. Submit a PDF that includes all of your additional/supporting documents. Judges will be advised to explore and evaluate the publication as is, during the judging period (approximately March–April 2024), as well as to evaluate specific elements included in the Application Form.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating General Excellence in Digital Publishing:

• Overall quality of the content and design elements;
• Innovation and creativity in the development, deployment and/or design of digital content and elements;
• Functionality & user experience: How successfully does the publication engage its intended audience through the digital medium? Also considered is the overall impact: How successfully does the publication deliver on its editorial mandate and maximize the possibilities of digital publishing?

This category rewards: Publisher(s); Editor(s); Digital Developer(s); Digital Designer(s); Other Contributor(s).

There is no cash prize with this award.