New awards to recognise digital creativity in the media

The second edition of the Digital Arts Expo, to be held in November at the Bay Arena in St Julians, will introduce a new event - the Digital Arts Awards, a celebration and recognition of digital creativity and excellence from the Maltese Islands.

"Creativity, innovation and education are at the heart of DA Expo. Bringing these elements together, in the Digital Arts Awards, further enhances the message from the DA Expo - where business, creativity and technology meet," explained Donna Mercieca Gabriele, project manager at Digital Arts Expo Ltd. "We aim to acknowledge the scope of work being done in Malta, and reward those whose work is both outstanding and innovative."

The Expo has attracted over 5,000 members, visitors and exhibitors, from North Africa, Middle East and Europe, and the organisers are positive the awards will be a similar success.

Whether it is an innovative advertising campaign, an incredible flash component (or even the whole website), 3D animation, or even a radio commercial, the attention to detail required to create a work of outstanding qualities, is what our judges are looking for. The awards are to acknowledge the breadth of talent available, and encourage new and emerging disciplines and artists.

The industries covered are advertising, graphic design, printing and signage, audio visual, photography and web. There is also a category for Best Student, and the Grand Prix (Best of Show).

Work produced locally (and made available to the public) is valid for submission. The exclusion to this is "Best Client Rejected Artwork" as this has obviously not been published. If foreigners working in Malta are registered (Maltese registered company), and they have produced work locally, they are eligible for submission. If Maltese working for foreign markets are again, registered (Maltese registered company), and they have produced work locally, they are also eligible for submitting work. Ms Mercieca Gabriele is sure there is much local talent to ensure many submissions.

"Months of research, and close liaison with various entities involved in these awards, have resulted in the final categories. While Malta is a small island, there is a wealth of talent here! Encouraging everyone to reach their full potential, and acknowledging the hard work and effort that goes into a stunning piece of work, is what the Digital Arts Awards are about."

There have been other creativity-related awards in the past, such as the Malta Web Awards and the Advertising Award, but these were short-lived and in some instances riddled with controversy. i-Tech asked the organisers of the Digital Arts Awards how they will ensure that the judges are fair and the best work is indeed rewarded.

"This has been one of our main concerns, and we have, and are, working very hard to ensure Digital Arts Awards are given to the best," insisted Ms Mercieca Gabriele.

Professional foreign judges have been included and they are unable to make their own submission. The name of the judges will remain secret. The awards have a judging committee consisting of sponsors, local and foreign judges. Furthermore, there has been a careful consideration of sponsors - in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, sponsors are not able to submit for the awards they are sponsoring. While this has limited the potential sponsor pool, it is a crucial element in remaining fair and impartial, she added.

Kasco Ltd, Air Malta, PBS, iCentre and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (in conjunction with European Year of Creativity & Innovation) will all be providing, through their international contacts, foreign judges, to join the international judging panel.

Furthermore, each entity brings a unique perspective and expertise, necessary to these Awards.

The deadline for submissions is July 30.