In Print

Newspaper of the Year
Sponsor: THE IRISH TIMES

Awarded to the newspaper that sustains the highest quality of journalism, editorial standards, production values and overall professionalism despite budgetary and other limitations.

Submit three (3) issues of the newspaper published since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Peter Henry, Trinity News (TCD)

2006 winner: Sorcha Nic Mhathuna & Nathalie Marquez Courtney, University Observer (UCD)

2005 winner: Ian Carey, Trinity News (Trinity College)

2004 winner: Samantha Libreri & Emmet Ryan – The University Observer (UCD)

Journalist of the Year (National Press)
Sponsor: The Irish Sun

This award is open to students who have managed to get their work published in the national press during the adademic year. 

Submit two (2) articles published in the national press since April 1st, 2007.

Lasy year's winner: David Molloy (Trinity College)

2006: Mark Tighe, Sunday Times (NUI Galway)

2005: Paul Caffrey (Trinity College)

2004: Ian Kehoe – Sunday Business Post (DCU)

Magazine of the Year
Sponsor: The RTE Guide

Awarded to one publication produced either as a once-off [e.g. rag mag] or regular publication. Open to any magazine.

Submit three (3) issues (except in cases where the publication is a once-off) published since April 1st, 2007.

Last year: Magazine - Campus (DCU) - edited by Alan Flanagan
Society - The Cairnes Review (NUIG) - edited by Catherine Regan and John Hogan

2006: Aoife Mahon, Sentinel (DIT Aungier Street)

2005 winner: Kate McKenna (Icarus - Trinity)

2004 winner: Ken Griffin – Flashback (DCU)

Society Publication of the Year
Sponsor: The Evening Herald

Awarded to one society publication produced either as a once-off [e.g. rag mag] or regular publication. Open to any society publication.

Submit three (3) issues (except in cases where the publication is a once-off) published since April 1st, 2006.

Last year: Magazine - Campus (DCU) - edited by Alan Flanagan
                Society - The Cairnes Review (NUIG) - edited by Catherine Regan and John Hogan

2006: Aoife Mahon, Sentinel (DIT Aungier Street)

2005 winner: Kate McKenna (Icarus - Trinity)

2004 winner: Ken Griffin – Flashback (DCU)

Small College Publication of the Year
(introduced 2005)
 Sponsor: Herald AM

This category has been reinstated. Awarded to the best newspaper, magazine or society publication produced by a small college. Applications are only acceptable from colleges with 4,000 full-time students or less.

Newspapers: submit two issues of the newspaper published since April 1st, 2007.

Magazines and society publications: submit two copies - except in cases where the publication is a one-off - published since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Celia Zwahlen - Griffiti (Griffith)

2006 Winner: Diren Valayden/Stephen O'Leary/eds - The Circular (Griffith)

2005 Winner: The Circular (Griffith College)

Travel Writer of the Year
Sponsor: HostelWorld.Com

Awarded to the writer of the best travel features. The work must have been published in a college publication or have been submitted as part of a college project.

Submit one article published in student media since April 1st 2007.

Last year's winner: Jago Tennant - Trinity News (TCD)

2006 winner: Harry Johnstone - Harat (Trinity)

2005 winner: Leonie Corcoran (DCU)

2004 winner: Eoghan Murphy – The University Observer (UCD)

Short Story of the Year
(introduced 2005)

Awarded to the most original, well-written work of short fiction. Applications can include published or previously unpublished material. Every applicant is however restricted to just one entry. Note: this category was put on hiatus for 2007 but we are accepting entries for the 2008 3 Smedias.

This is the only category for which no hard copy has to be submitted- we require an email word file containing the story to smedias@oxygen.ie. Stories should not exceed 4,000 words.

2006 winner: John Holten, Germania (UCD)

2005 winner: Barry Fowler (DIT)

Layout and Design of the Year
Sponsored by The Star

Open to any publication produced in student media, awarded for innovative and intelligent creativity in design and layout.

Submit three (3) issues (except in cases where the publication is a once-off) published since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Sean Kearney - The University Observer (UCD)

2006 winner: Simon Ward - College Tribune (UCD)

2005 winner: Natalie Price & Philip Gilsenan - University Observer (UCD)

2004: David Fagan – The University Observer (UCD)

Editor of the Year (Newspaper or Magazine)
Sponsor: IRISH INDEPENDENT

Awarded to the editor of any publication to show commitment, enthusiasm and editorial insight as reflected by the publication.

Submit three (3) issues published since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Stephen Carroll, The University Observer (UCD)

2006 Winner: Andrew Payne - Trinity News (Trinity)

2005 winner: Eoghan Casey - University Observer (UCD)

2004 winner: Samantha Libreri – The University Observer (UCD)

Features writer - News and Current Affairs
(introduced 2005)
Sponsor: Irish News of the World

Awarded to the best student features writer of the year covering news and current affairs. This can include campus, national and international news. Judges will be looking for analytical skills and a fluent and compelling writing style.

Submit three (3) articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Andree Heslin (UCC)

2006 winner: Billy Jones - University Observer (UCD)

2005 winner: Michael Clark - University Observer (UCD)

2004 winner: Neasa Cunniffe – Trinity News (TCD)

Journalist of the Year
(news and current affairs reporting)
Sponsor: The Irish Examiner

Awarded to the best student journalist of the year reporting on news and current affairs. This can include campus, national and international news. Judges will be looking for an ability to dig out original information and present it with imagination and style.

Submit three (3) articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: David Molloy (Trinity)

2006 winner: Sorcha Nic Mhathuna (UCD)

2005 winner: Derek Owens - Trinity News (Trinity College)

2004 winner: Niamh Horan – The University Observer (UCD)

Features writer - arts and pop-culture
Sponsor: HMV

Awarded to the best student features writer of the year writing about the arts or pop-culture. Judges will be looking for entertaining, stylish, authoritative criticism which offers a fresh, illuminating view of a performance, film, album or popular cultural topic.

Submit three (3) articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Marie Lavin (NUI Galway)

2006 winner: James Von Simson - Trinity News (Trinity)

2005 winner: Luke O’Neill - College View  (DCU)

2004 winner: Barry White – Trinity News (TCD)

Colour Writer of the Year
Sponsored by The Star

This is awarded to the finest writer of features with a particularly satirical slant and distinctly humourous tone. Imagination and wit are key.

Submit three [3] articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007.

Last year's winner: Alan Flanagan, Campus (DCU)

2006 winner: Christine Bohan - Trinity TNT (Trinity)

2005 winner: Caomhan Keane & Michelle Burke (Griffiti - Griffith College)

2004 winner: Daniel Finn – The College Tribune (UCD)

Features writer - education focus
* * * New category for 2008 * * *
Sponsored: HEA

Awarded to the best student features writer of the year writing about subjects with an educational focus.

Submit three (3) articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007.  Please note that you need only submit 1 writing sample, given that it is a new category.

Sports Writer of the Year
Sponsor: IRISH DAILY MIRROR

Awarded to the journalist producing the most consistently high quality sports writing over the course of the year.

Submit three (3) articles published in student media since April 1st, 2007. We suggest that you cut out the articles and past them on to stiff backing card. Please don't send torn pages from the newspaper with jagged edges and all. This makes things much easier for the judges. And they're the people you want to impress.

Last year's winner: Laura Toogood (UCD)

2006 winner: Alan Burns - University Observer (UCD)

2005 winner: Cormac Toomey - University Observer (DIT)

2004 winner: Dermot Looney – College Tribune (UCD)

News Photographer of the Year
Sponsor: NOKIA

Awarded to the photographer best capturing news events and current affairs on camera. The work should either have been published in the student press OR be the work of a full-time student, in which case the work can be unpublished, but of publishable quality. This should not be confused with photographer of the year. 

Overall winner will also receive an NSeries handset (below), with thanks to Nokia.

Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.

Last year's winner : John Heeney (Griffith College)

2006 winner: Racheal Carroll (Griffith College)

2005 winner: Stephen Ryan (Griffith College)

2004 winner: Rosalind Goodbody – The Griffith Gazette (Griffith College Dublin)

Sports Photographer of the Year
Sponsor: NOKIA

Introduced in 2007

We're looking for the most dynamic, creative and technically impressive pieces of the year. It doesn't need to have been published, you just have to be a full-time student. The photos can be no larger than A4 and no smaller than A5. Remember to submit it on good quality paper- no scraps of magazine or newspaper and nothing stuck to pieces of cereal boxes!

Overall winner will also receive an NSeries handset (below), with thanks to Nokia.

Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.

Last year's winner: Dermot Culhane (Limerick Senior College)

Photographer of the Year
Sponsor: NOKIA

Awarded to one individual for an outstanding sample of photography produced since April 1st, 2007. The judges will be looking for excellence in composition, subject matter and for startling images. This category should not be confused with news photographer of the year. The work should either have been published in the student press OR be the work of a full-time student, in which case the work can be unpublished, but of publishable quality.

Overall winner will also receive an NSeries handset (below), with thanks to Nokia.

Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.

Last year's winner: Dermot Culhane (Limerick Senior College)

2006 winner: Will Devine (DCU)

2005 winner: Lilian Forberg (DIT)

2004 winner: Nicola Brady – Disco Dining (Griffith College Dublin)

Peoples' Choice
(new category, introduced 2006)

Obviously a popular category. To enter, submit a pdf of one entire issue of your publication. It has to have been published since April 1st 2007. 

To vote, you will need to click here. You must be logged into Oxygen.ie and only one vote per Oxygen account will be accepted. If you're not registered with Oxygen.ie, click here. It takes approximately one minute and it's free.

Last year's winner: UCC Express (Peter Tobin and Alan Good)

2006 winners: An Focal (UL)

In Broadcasting

TV Journalist of the Year
Sponsored by TV3 News

The TV Journalist of the Year Smedia will be awarded to the best student TV journalist of the year. Entrants should submit a news report, feature, piece to camera, investigation or interview.

The report should be no shorter than 2 minutes, but not exceed 4 minutes in duration and must have been produced as part of a class project or for broadcast on student or campus television. Judges will be looking for an interesting, well-delivered report showcasing the research skills and presenting style of the entrant. Submit one report in DVD format.

Last year's winners: Jonathan Donohoe (Griffith)

2006: Amy Breen & Lisa McCaghy - Dying to Know (DCU)

2005: John Bent (Griffith College)

Radio Production of the Year - News and Current Affairs

Awarded to the best radio production covering news and current affairs. This can include news broadcasts, panel discussions, interviews and other news and current affairs related shows. Must be produced expressly for broadcast on student radio.

Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2006. Acceptable format: CD.

Last year's winner: Aileen Lee (UCC)

2006 winner: Fergal D'Arcy - Can You Hear Me Thinking? (DIT Aungier Street)

2005 winner: Catherine Mc Lernon (DIT)

2004: Emmet McCarthy – Rush Hour (Griffith College)

Radio Production of the Year - Arts and Features
Sponsor: PHANTOM 105.2
             'Quality Sounds Only'

Awarded to the best radio production covering the arts and entertainment. This can include magazine shows, comedy programmes, drama, music shows, arts coverage, interviews and all other arts and entertainment shows. Must be produced expressly for broadcast on student radio.

Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st 2007. Acceptable format: CD. This might sound crazy but we did receive blank CDs last year, so best to check and make sure before you send them in.

Last year's winner: The Belsen Children by Caitlin O'Hanlon (NUI Galway)

2006 winner: Amy Rose Harte - It's a Wine Life (DCU)

2005 winner: Marc Redmond (Ballyfermot CFE)

2004 winner: Breda Ryan – flirt FM 105.6 HIV/Aids (NUI, Galway)

Television Production of the Year
Sponsor: BCI (Broadcast Commission of Ireland)

Awarded to the best student TV production of the year. This includes news, arts, and entertainment shows. Must be produced expressly for broadcast on student or campus television.

Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2007. Acceptable format: DVD.

Last year's winners: - Paul Schwer (Griffith)

2006 winners: Peter Linnemann & Will Devine & Riona Ni Bhrolchain & Ruaidhri Devery & Siofra Ni Chiardha - Nyumbani (DCU)

2005 winners: Liam O' Cathasaigh & Colm Quinn (DIT)

2004 winners: Graham Hickey – Dublin’s O’Connell Street (DIT)

Léiriúcháin Teilifíse i nGaeilge - Drámaíocht
(Television Production in Irish - Drama)
Sponsor: TG4

Introduced in 2007

Awarded to the best Drama Television Production in the Irish language. Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2007. Acceptable format: DVD.

Obviously, all entries in this category are to be in Irish. No Bearla please!

Last year's winner: Joan Henneghan (NUI Galway)

Léiriúcháin Teilifíse i nGaeilge - Faisnéis
(Television Production in Irish - Documenatary)
Sponsor: Úadarás na Gaeltachta

Introduced in 2007

Awarded to the best Documentary Television Production in the Irish language. Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2007. Acceptable format: DVD.

Obviously, all entries in this category are to be in Irish. No Bearla please!

Last year's winner: Joan Henneghan (NUI Galway)

In Multimedia

Website of the Year
Sponsor: 3.ie

Awarded to the best maintained, frequently updated, user-friendly and informative website. Students' Union sites, clubs and societies homepages and college news sites all welcome.

Submit the URL.

Last year's winner: www.trinitynews.ie - Brian Henry (Trinity)

2006 winners: Elaine Kinsella & Lucia Orlandi - www.ucclawsociety.com  (CIT)

2005 winner: Rory Donohue (NUIG)

2004 winner: Students’ Union UCC – http://su.ucc.ie 

Web designer of the year
(introduced 2005)

Awarded to the designer of the most innovative, exciting and entertaining student website of the year. Where website of the year is about clearly and easily imparting information, webdesigner of the year is more about exploring the possibilities of new media technologies. Judges will be looking for programming skill, visual flair and imagination. The website cannot have been designed for commercial gain, but class projects, personal websites, flash [etc] cartoons and online games are all accepted.

Submit the url.

Last year's winner: www.scottbryandesign.com  by Scott Bryan (DCU)

2006 winners: Ruaidhri Devery & Will Devine - www.econsensorweb.dcu.ie  (DCU)

2005 winner: Rory Donohue [NUIG]

In Film

Film Script of the Year
Sponsor: The Irish Film Board

Awarded to the most original, well-written, imaginative script showing the most insight to the cinematic form. Scripts may be filmed or unfilmed at time of submission.

Script should be formatted as a film script and submitted in Microsoft Word. [For more info on film script formatting click here].

Last year's winner: A View From The Top by Shane Collier (Colaiste Dhulaigh)

2006 winner: Noel Burke - Chloe & Kate (Griffith)

2005 winner: Ciara Bailey (DIT)

2004 winner: Stephen Stubbs – Manhattan II, Attack of the Space Tarantulas, (Ballyfermot College of Further Education)

Short Film of the Year
Sponsored by Movies @ Cinemas

The Short Film of the Year will be awarded to the film that shows the greatest imagination and production values despite budgetary and other limitations.

Students work may be shot on film, digitally or on video, but all work must be submitted in DVD format.

Last year's winner: 'Winner?' by Sarah-Jane Fortune (DIT- Aungier St)

2006 winner: Eamonn Nolan - A Love Song for Cedric Pelmutter (Ballyfermot CFE)

2005 winner: Colm Russell (Tallaght IT)

2004 winner: Ken Wardrop – Undressing my Mother (Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design)

In Social Awareness

Headline award for journalism relating to mental health or suicide prevention
in association with Headline and the HSE's National office for suicide prevention

*** New Category ***

Awarded to any form of media, be it written, published or broadcasted on television, radio, internet or otherwise, highlighting the issue of mental health or suicide prevention in Ireland.  New category introduced for the 2008 3Smedias.  Please note that you need only submit 1 writing sample, given that it is a new category.

Students' work must be submitted on relevant format; CD, DVD or an original copy of published article.  Internet publications or websites, please submit the URL.