RULES FOR THE AMPS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SOUND FOR A FEATURE FILM

1. FILM ELIGIBILITY:

(a). Any film that is released and exhibited in the given year.  The list will be drawn from the BAFTA 'Draft Entered Films' list. 

(b). Members may submit additional Films not in the BAFTA 'Draft Entered Films List' provided they supply confirmation that the film complies with the rules for eligibility at least five days ahead of the AMPS Nomination Ballot.

2. PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD:

(a). Persons credited in the following roles:

·       Production Sound Mixer

·       Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor

·       Supervising Sound Editor or Sound Designer

·       Re-recording Mixer

(b). Where two of the above grades were hired for the same length of contract, have made equal contributions, or are equally credited as Supervisors, both may be nominated.

(c). The Production Sound Mixer may nominate a Key 1st Assistant Sound. Where it can be verified that two 1st Assistants were hired for the same length of contract as their peer, and made equal contributions, both may be nominated.

3. AWARDS BALLOTS AND TIMETABLE:

(a). AMPS Council will annually agree a Secret Electronic Ballot system for all Awards voting.

(b). AMPS Council will annually agree an Awards Schedule Timetable to fit in with other Awards ceremonies and AMPS events.

(c). AMPS Council will annually appoint the AMPS Awards Group to organise the awards for the given year.

4. ADJUDICATION PANEL:

(a). An Adjudication Panel will be freshly co-opted annually consisting of no fewer than three AMPS Full Members, on the conditions that:

·       i. They are not eligible for an AMPS Sound Award in the current year.

·       ii. They have made no artistic or creative contribution to the soundtracks of any of the eligible feature films in the current year.

·       iii. They are not associated in any way with any individual or company that has made an artistic or creative contribution to any of the films on the eligible list for the current year.

(b). This panel will conduct the ballots and associated business in strict confidentiality using the chosen Electronic Ballot system, and, in accordance with the Awards Scheduled Timetable, will also be responsible for:

·       As soon as the Nomination ballot is closed – verification of the eligible Nominees credited.

·       ii. As soon as the Final Ballot is closed – verification of the crew members eligible for Certificates of Merit.

5. NOTES ON VERIFYING PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD:

(a).  On-screen credits are used to determine eligibility. In the event of a dispute or appeal about eligibility, the Adjudication Panel may consult the Film’s Producer or Director or other source, in confidence, for clarification.

(b).  Evidence of eligibility for Sound Nominations in other major film sound awards may be taken into consideration.

(c).  In the event the Supervising Dialogue/ADR Editor is not identified in the credits, advice of the Re-recording Mixer who handled the dialogue may be sought.

(d).  The Supervising Sound Editor or Sound Designer shall be deemed the key person responsible for supervising the preparation of the Sound Fx.

(e).  Re-recording Mixer shall be deemed a person responsible for the final mixed soundtrack.

(f).  The 1st Assistant Sound may be found to be credited as Boom Operator.

(g).  The Adjudication Panel may call upon assistance from the Film Awards Group and Council in the verification processes.

6. NOMINATION BALLOT

(a).  On the date specified in the Awards Schedule Timetable, a electronic secret ballot will open among all those AMPS Members entitled to vote according to the general Constitution Rules current at that time (Voting Membership) to decide the Nominations, with Voting Members having 5 votes each. The five film titles that achieve the most votes under the ballot rules will be declared Nominated.

(b).  In the event of a tie, the film that received the most votes in the Nomination Ballot will be declared the winner.

(c).  Nominated Films will be announced in accordance with the Awards Schedule Timetable.

(d).  The Adjudication Panel will verify the eligibility of the Nominees for the Nominated Films in strict confidence. Consulting others in confidence if required as per 5.(a) through (g)

(e).  The Nominees will each receive a Nomination Certificate.

7. BALLOT FOR AWARD:

(a).  An electronic secret ballot will be conducted among the Voting Membership to choose the winner from the five Nominated Films. Members will have one vote each. The film title with the most votes will be declared winner.

(c). The winning film will be announced on the date specified in the Awards Schedule Timetable.

8. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT:

Certificates of Merit may be presented to crew members of the winning film who have creatively contributed to the winning soundtrack. The Award Winners will be asked to suggest such crew members with a brief submission outlining their contributions and to provide relevant contact details. The suggested list of crew members will be verified by the Adjudication Panel. The Certificates may be in a form such as:

‘Certificate of Merit in recognition of your contribution to the AMPS Award 20xx winning soundtrack – title’....

9. PRESENTATIONS:

The nominees and winners will be presented with their Certificates and Awards at an AMPS event to be determined.

10. GENERAL:

(a). Awards rules may be changed annually by agreement of the Film Awards Group and Council.

(b). The AMPS Fellow Members may be consulted for advice in the event of any appeals or disputes.

(c). In exceptional circumstances, where more than one candidate for a particular category can be established and verified as having equal creative input, additional supervising crew members may be honoured.

 Download the Awards Rules Here

Amended December 2022