Get Ready for The Rookies

The Rookie Awards 2026

Time to get ready for The Rookies2026. The Rookies is an international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent – all our students are strongly encouraged to enter.

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment is a crucial step toward launching a successful career.

It helps you to build confidence in your work, and also serves as an online portfolio. Entry for the 2026 The Rookies opens on7 April 2026 and closes at the end of June.

Professional Practice Module

All our final year students are strongly encouraged to enter The Rookies as part of Professional Practice Module PS6003, in which students research the industry and put together a professional-level demo reel.

About The Rookies

Giorgos Konstantinou at 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.”

Professional Practice Module PS6003

All our final year students are encouraged to enter The Rookies as part of their Professional Practice Module PS6003.

PS6003 prepares students for industry, most importantly by focusing on the preparation of a professional-quality Demo Reel.

Start with The Rookies

For animation and VFX students, showcasing their work in a competitive, professional environment is a crucial step toward launching a successful career. Entering The Rookies, an international platform for young creators, offers invaluable benefits that go beyond the prestige of winning. Here’s why entering The Rookies is important for students serious about making launching their careers in the animation and VFX industry.

Industry-Level Feedback: The Rookies provides feedback from industry professionals—veteran animators, VFX artists, and studio recruiters—who evaluate student work. This input from experts offers insights on how to refine technical skills, storytelling, and presentation, helping students improve faster than they would on their own.
Portfolio Exposure: Entering The Rookies can dramatically increase the visibility of a student’s work. Many recruiters and industry insiders watch the competition, giving students a direct avenue to showcase their skills and stand out to potential employers.
Networking Opportunities: Being part of The Rookies means connecting with a community of talented students and professionals worldwide. The competition encourages students to interact, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback from other entrants and alumni, which can open doors to future collaborations and opportunities.
Real-World Standards: Submitting work to The Rookies means students need to polish their projects to a professional standard. This process of refining work, meeting deadlines, and following submission guidelines is essential preparation for the expectations of the industry.
Confidence: For many students, putting their work out there can be intimidating. The Rookies provides a platform for students to push their boundaries and grow. Even just the process of preparing and submitting to the competition boosts confidence, making students feel ready to tackle professional challenges.
Scholarships, Prizes, and Job Opportunities: The Rookies offers prizes like internships, scholarships, and software licenses, which can significantly enhance students’ resources and skills. Winning—or even placing—can make students’ resumes stand out, and open up opportunities with leading studios, giving them a head start in their careers.

In short, entering The Rookies is more than a competition; it’s an opportunity to grow, gain exposure, and establish a strong foundation for a career in animation and VFX. For students passionate about their craft, The Rookies is an invaluable experience that can propel their work and confidence to new heights.

How to Enter – Create Your Entry Page

“Offcut” – VFX Finalist

To get started, create an entry page and submit 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.

“Jerich0“ – Highly Commended

Escape Studios Successes
In past years Escape Studios;’ students have enjoyed many successes in The Rookies, including: