Grierson 2009: The British Documentary Awards are open to documentaries made anywhere in the world. They must have had their first UK screening or broadcast between 1 May 2008 and 30 April 2009.

The Grierson Awards employ a two-stage judging process. Every entry will be reviewed by three members of, or advisors to, The Grierson Trust. From the whole entry a shortlist of around eight films from each category will be drawn up. These shortlisted films will then be judged by juries comprising five people, mainly drawn from documentary makers, broadcasters, critics and subject experts. They will decide on the final four nominations, including the winner, in each category. The judges will be looking for evidence of quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence.

Entrants who are shortlisted or nominated for a Grierson award will be informed by email. Shortlisted entrants will be asked to provide additional viewing copies and nominated entrants will be required to give The Grierson Trust access to the sub-master tape. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

The full shortlist will be published on the website of The Grierson Trust by 4 August; the nominations by 30 September; and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 3 November.

The Grierson Trust chooses the recipient of the Trustees’ Award at its discretion.