2025 “Rookies” Competition Opens Today

It is now time for our animation, games and vfx students to enter The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives. The Rookies annual competition opens today, 7 April 2025 and the final deadline is 20th June 2025.

But don’t wait until the deadline – it’s always a good idea to get your project ready for entry. That way you get more eyes on your project, and a head start on the competition.

Your checklist includes screen credits (don’t forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, stylish pre-production and development art – all these things should be submitted. And remember – only students can enter. Escape Studios’ tutors and staff cannot do this for you.

About The Rookies

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to “showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams.” All our final year students are strongly encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module PS6003.

14th Annual Rookie Awards

The 14th Annual Rookie Awards is a global showcase for talent; it is open to young creatives in visual effects, animation, games, virtual reality, motion graphics and 3d visualisation. All our graduating animation and VFX students are encouraged to enter.

Create Your Entry Page

Start off by creating an entry page and submitting your details. Set up a page and use it to showcase your best work – this can be both as a team (say, on a group project) and also individual work (note that professional client-facing paid work is not admissible).

Students should treat their entry page as something they would show a recruiter when applying for a job. It should include a small bio about you, examples of your work, and your work history.

Deadline to Enter

“Offcut” – VFX Finalist

You can enter your work anytime until the deadline of June 1st 2024.

Rookies Rules
To enter The Rookies you must:

be 18 years or older.
have studied at a certified university, school, or online training facility between January 2023 and May 2024.
create an entry page and upload examples of your work