The decisions of the Grierson Awards' organisers and judges are final. The organisers, reviewers and judges reserve the right: to move an entry into another category, when they feel that it would be judged more appropriately there; not to make an award in any given category; and not to enter into correspondence with entrants on any subject. The Grierson Awards welcomes entries from broadcasters, independent companies or individuals provided that these entries fulfill the entry criteria.

 Entries must have had their first UK screening or broadcast between 1 May 2008 and 30 April 2009; this includes scheduled screenings within recognised film, television and documentary festivals. Awards entered for all categories must have been screened in the UK.

 Entrants may submit any number of entries into any number of categories, providing that each individual entry into each individual category is accompanied by a separate entry, entry fee and viewing copies.

 By submitting the entry, the entrant grants and warrants that the entrant is entitled to grant to The Grierson Trust the right to make copies of a sequence of up to two minutes' running time from the entry and to include such copies in any television broadcast or any other distribution medium or publication in connection with the awards including for publicity and promotional purposes, together with the right to authorise others to do any of the foregoing.
To submit your entry online click here.

 Entrants whose productions are shortlisted must be prepared to supply, on request, a further five viewing copies for the judging panels on DVD PAL single sided (region 0 or region 2 – for mass-pressed DVD media) or DVD - R (for burned DVD media). Viewing copies will not be returned except by special arrangement with the organisers prior to judging.

 Entrants whose productions are nominated for the final phase of the competition must be prepared to supply, within five working days of notification (i) time codes for clips requested by the organisers (ii) access to DigiBeta or DigiBeta clip reel for use in the Awards ceremony and promotion; (iii) 'Programme as Complete' or equivalent forms to assist in the clearance of rights for clips; and (iv) two rights cleared still production photographs for use in publicity and promotional activities, preferably in a high-resolution digital format such as JPG. Technical specifications for DigiBeta copies will be supplied to nominated entrants; these tapes will be made available for collection after the awards ceremony.

 Entrants agree to release one DVD copy of each entry, together with data from the entry form, to be deposited on behalf of The Grierson Trust for non-circulation reference.

 It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide complete, accurate information about the entry. The Grierson Trust shall not be liable for errors or omissions in the entry forms nor in any subsequent submissions.

 If the entry form is inaccurate or incomplete, if the entry does not comply with these conditions, or if it is deemed ineligible for any other reason, then the entry will be disqualified. The organisers regret that they cannot refund the fee for any entry which is thus disqualified.

 The fee per entry is £190 + VAT @ 15% (£218.50) per category except for the Newcomer category which is £45 + VAT @ 15% (£51.75). Entries will not be accepted into the competition until payment has been received and this should be no later than Friday, 29 May 2009.

 A complete list of shortlisted entrants, plus descriptions of finalists will be published in the Grierson Awards programme and on the Grierson Awards website at click here. A complete list of winners will be published on the website.

 The recipient of the award will normally be the director credited on the film.

 Duplicates of the Grierson Award may be purchased by winning programme makers and broadcasters at £180 each (+ VAT and P&P); duplicates of certificates for winning and nominated films may be purchased by programme makers and broadcasters at £30 each (+ VAT).