Newspaper of the Year Sponsored by 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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Martin McKenna - Trinity News (TCD)
2008 winner: Gearoid O'Rourke - Trinity News (TCD) 2007 winner: Peter Henry - Trinity News (TCD) 2006 winner: Sorcha Nic Mhathuna & Nathalie Marquez Courtney - University Observer (UCD) 2005 winner: Ian Carey - Trinity News (TCD)
Journalist of the year Sponsored by The Irish Daily Star
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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Michael McHale - College View (DCU)
Journalist of the year - National press Sponsored by Spar
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, 2009.
Lasy year's winner: John Lavelle (Trinity)
2008: Alan Good (UCC) 2007: David Molloy (Trinity College) 2006: Mark Tighe - Sunday Times (NUI Galway) 2005: Paul Caffrey (Trinity College)
News photographer of the year Sponsored by Blue Insurance
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either have been published in the student press OR be the work of a full-time student, in which case the work can be unpublished, but of publishable quality.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.
Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.
Last year's winner: Ronan Johns (DIT Mountjoy Square)
2008 winner: Orla Sloyan (DIT Mountjoy Square) 2007 winner: John Heeney (Griffith College) 2006 winner: Racheal Carroll (Griffith College) 2005 winner: Stephen Ryan (Griffith College)
A brand new category for the Smedias 2010! The award for Blog of the Year will be presented to the third level student who combines incisive writing, creative use of images and design, and regular output to build a compelling blog.
Entry requirements - Submit the URL. (write it clearly on your application form). The blog must have a minimum of 10 posts by closing date for entries - March 10, 2010
Radio Production of the Year - Arts & Features Sponsored by Phantom 105.2 Fm
Awarded to the best radio production covering the arts, culture and entertainment. This can include magazine shows, comedy programmes, drama, non-news documentary, arts coverage, interviews and all other arts, culture 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 2009.
Acceptable format: CD. This might sound crazy but we have received blank CDs in the past, so best to check and make sure before you send them in.
Last year's winner: Eoin Ryan - Men of Vision and a Meeting of Minds (NUIG)
2008 winner: Madeline Woods (DIT Aungier Streer) 2007 winner: Caitlin O'Hanlon - The Belsen Children (NUI Galway) 2006 winner: Amy Rose Harte - It's a Wine Life (DCU) 2005 winner: Marc Redmond (Ballyfermot CFE)
Radio Production of the year - News & 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, 2009. Acceptable format: CD.
Last year's winners: Emilee Jennings, Martin Nally, Brian Canty, Enda McHugh - The Damn Thing (NUIG)
2008 winner: Katie Corkery (DIT Aungier Streer) 2007 winner: Aileen Lee (UCC) 2006 winner: Fergal D'Arcy - Can You Hear Me Thinking? (DIT Aungier Street) 2005 winner: Catherine Mc Lernon (DIT)
Radio DJ of the Year
A brand new category for the Smedias 2010! Awarded to the student(s) who present the best music show broadcast on student radio. The show may also include chat and / or interview but some element of music is essential. Must be produced expressly for broadcast on student radio.
Entry requirements - Submit one (1) show, or montage of shows (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2009. Acceptable format: CD.
Sports Writer of the year Sponsored by The 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, 2009. 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: Stephen Mangan - The College View (DCU)
2008 winner: Eoin Fleck - Trinity News (TCD) 2007 winner: Laura Toogood (UCD) 2006 winner: Alan Burns - University Observer (UCD) 2005 winner: Cormac Toomey - University Observer (DIT)
Sports Photographer of the year Sponsored by O2
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!
Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.
Last year's winner: Rob O'Connor (DIT Mountjoy Square)
Photographer of the year Sponsored by The Irish Examiner
Awarded to one individual for an outstanding sample of photography produced since April 1st, 2009. 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.
Submit three (3) prints. Photocopies or newspaper reproductions will not be accepted. Prints to be no larger than A4 size.
Last year's winner: Peter Murray (DIT Aungier Street)
2008 winner: Dan McClanahan (UCC) 2007 winner: Dermot Culhane (Limerick Senior College) 2006 winner: Will Devine (DCU) 2005 winner: Lilian Forberg (DIT)
People's Choice award Sponsored by Aero
Obviously a popular category. To enter, post in your application form as per all categories and email a pdf of one entire issue of your publication to smedias2010@gmail.com with 'People's choice' as the subject line. It has to have been published since April 1st 2009.
The winner will be chosen by vote on www.oxygen.ie
Last year's winner: Lust Magazine - Letterkenny IT (Jenny McKinley)
2008 winner: Analogue Magazine - TCD (Brendan McGuirk) 2007 winner: UCC Express (Peter Tobin and Alan Good) 2006 winner: An Focal (UL)
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.
Entry requirements - Submit the URL. (write it clearly on your application form)
Last year's winner: Agnieszka Bernacka - www.griffiti.ie (GCD)
TV Production of the year Sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority 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, 2009. Acceptable format: DVD.
Last year's winner: Caoimhin O Cuinn - Mianta (NUIG)
2008 winner: Aonghus O hEochaidh - Dushlan (NUIG) 2007 winner: Paul Schwer (Griffith) 2006 winners: Peter Linnemann, Will Devine,Riona Ni Bhrolchain, Ruaidhri Devery and Siofra Ni Chiardha - Nyumbani (DCU) 2005 winners: Liam O' Cathasaigh & Colm Quinn (DIT)
Web Designer of the year Sponsored by Irishtimes.com
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. (Write it clearly on your application form)
Awarded to the most original, well-written work of short fiction. Applications can include published or unpublished material. Every applicant is however restricted to just one entry.
A hard copy is preferable but you can also email your story to us in word format to smedias2010@gmail.com Please note you must still send in your application form and entry fee to us by post regardless of how you submit the story. Stories should not exceed 4,000 words.
Last years winner: James Bradshaw 'Enda: My Story' (UL)
2008 winner: Dan Sheehan - 'Ferdia's awakening' (TCD) 2006 winner: John Holten - 'Germania' (UCD) 2005 winner: Barry Fowler (DIT)
Editor of the year Sponsored by the 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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Martin McKenna - Trinity News (TCD)
2008 winner: Gearoid O'Rourke - The Trinity News (TCD) 2007 Winner: Stephen Carroll - The University Observer (UCD) 2006 Winner: Andrew Payne - Trinity News (Trinity) 2005 winner: Eoghan Casey - University Observer (UCD)
Magazine of the year
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, 2009. Printed copies not PDFs please.
Last year's winner: Gearoid O'Rourke and Caitriona Grey - The Trinity Ball Guide (TCD)
2008 winner: Sarah McCaffrey - The SU Magazine (Queen's University Belfast) 2007 winner: Alan Flanagan - Campus (DCU) 2006 winner: Aoife Mahon - Sentinel (DIT Aungier Street) 2005 winner: Kate McKenna - Icarus (Trinity)
Society Publication of the year Sponsored by 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, 2009. Printed copies not PDFs please.
Last year: Gareth McGreevy - The Verdict (QUB)
2008 winner: Ciara Brennan - UCD Student's Union survival guide, (UCD) 2007 winner: Catherine Regan and John Hogan - The Cairnes Review (NUIG) 2006 winner: Aoife Mahon - Sentinel (DIT Aungier Street) 2005 winner: Kate McKenna - Icarus (Trinity)
Layout and Design of the year Sponsored by The Irish Daily 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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Gearoid O'Rourke - The Trinity Ball Guide (TCD)
2008 winner: Andrew Gordon - The SU Magazine (Queen's University Belfast) 2007 winner: Sean Kearney - University Observer (UCD) 2006 winner: Simon Ward - College Tribune (UCD) 2005 winner: Natalie Price and Philip Gilsenan - University Observer (UCD)
Travel Writer of the year Sponsored by Hostelworld
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 2009.
Last year's winner: Noel Connolly - Trinity News (TCD)
2008 winner: Derek Larney - The Record (TCD) 2007 winner: Jago Tennant - Trinity News (TCD) 2006 winner: Harry Johnstone - Harat (Trinity) 2005 winner: Leonie Corcoran (DCU)
Colour Writer of the year
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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Michael Armstrong - Trinity news (TCD)
Features Writer of the Year - News & Current affairs Sponsored by The Irish Daily Mirror
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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Peter Molloy - University Observer (UCD)
2008 winner: Philip Connolly - The College Tribune (UCD) 2007 winner: Andree Heslin (UCC) 2006 winner: Billy Jones - University Observer (UCD) 2005 winner: Michael Clark - University Observer (UCD)
Features Writer of the year - Arts & Pop Culture Sponsored by Bulmers Berry
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, 2009.
Last year's winner: Sebastien Clare - The College Tribune (UCD)
2008 winner: Lorcan Archer - The College Tribune (UCD) 2007 winner: Marie Lavin (NUI Galway) 2006 winner: James Von Simson - Trinity News (Trinity) 2005 winner: Luke O’Neill - College View (DCU)
The Road SafetyAuthority Awardfor journalism relating to road safety
A brand new category for 2010. Awarded to any form of media, be it written, published or broadcasted on television, radio, internet or otherwise, highlighting the issue of Road Safety in Ireland. Please note that in the case of print entries 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. (Write it clearly on your application form)
Small College publication of the Year
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, 2009.
Magazines and society publications: submit two copies - except in cases where the publication is a one-off - published since April 1st, 2009.
Last year's winner: Mark Coughlan - The Ballyfermot Press (BCFE)
2008 winner: Cian Ginty - The Ballyfermot Post (BCFE) 2007 Winner: Celia Zwahlen - Griffiti (Griffith) 2006 Winner: Diren Valayden/Stephen O'Leary/eds - The Circular (Griffith) 2005 Winner: The Circular (Griffith
Short Animation of the year Sponsored by Bulmers Berry
2010 marks the second year a Smedia rewarding the best animation created by a student in Ireland will be presented. Finalists will be shown on the night and hosted on the oxygen.ie website.
Entries must be under 3.00 in length and submitted on DVD!
Last year's winner: Eamonn O'Neill - 'My Day' (IADT)
The Headline Award for journalism relating to mental health or suicide prevention
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. 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 (must be saved as MP3) or an original copy of published article. Internet publications or websites, please submit the URL (Write it clearly on your application form)
Last year's winner: Joey Kavanagh - Stuck on Repeat (DCU)
2008 winner: Andrea Gilligan, The Long Day is Over (NUIG)
Film Script of the year
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 as a hard copy (paper) with your application form.
Last year's winner: Mark Fischer - Gospel (Ballyfermot College)
2008 winner: Conor Kelly - Fishy Tale (TCD) 2007 winner: Shane Collier - A View From The Top (Colaiste Dhulaigh) 2006 winner: Noel Burke - Chloe & Kate (Griffith) 2005 winner: Ciara Bailey (DIT)
Léiriúcháin Teilifíse i nGaeilge - Faisnéis agus Drámaíocht Sponsored by TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta
Awarded to the best Drama or Documentary Television Production in the Irish language. Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2009. Acceptable format: DVD.
Obviously, all entries in this category are to be in Irish. No Bearla please!
Last year's winner: Caoimhin O'Cuinn - Mianta (NUIG)
2008 winner: Tadg O Criodan - Golaicht Ait (WIT) 2007 winner: Joan Henneghan (NUI Galway)
Iriseoireacht i nGaeilge (Raidió) Sponsored by Foras Na Gaeilge
Awarded to the best radio production through Irish. This can include news broadcasts, panel discussions, interviews, music show, and other news and current affairs related shows.
Can be produced for broadcast on student, local or national radio but must not be for paid work or professionally assisted.
Submit one (1) episode, or montage of episodes (maximum 1 hour), broadcast since April 1st, 2009. Acceptable format: CD.
Last year's winner: Lisa Ni Shuairc (Trinity)
Iriseoireacht i nGaeilge (Scríofa) Sponsored by Foras Na Gaeilge
Awarded to the best written Journalism done in the Irish language. It can have been written for student, local or national press or for a blog or for website. It must not be for paid work or professionally assisted.
Submit two Irish articles published since April 1st, 2009.
Please submit hard copy/ies of your published article with your application form. For online or blog, please write the link/s clearly on your application form.
Short Film of the Year Sponsored by The Irish Film Board
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: Roozbeh Rashidi - Now and Forever (DIT Aungier St)
2008 winner: Liam Berrington - Prediction (BCFE) 2007 winner: Sarah-Jane Fortune (DIT- Aungier St) 2006 winner: Eamonn Nolan - A Love Song for Cedric Pelmutter (Ballyfermot CFE) 2005 winner: Colm Russell (Tallaght IT)
There's no better way to spoil a session of the ancient art of yoga than unexpected flatulence...
Overpaid sports stars sicken supporter
(Reuters) A New Jersey man was jailed for up to three months on Friday for making himself vomit on a fellow spectator at a baseball game.
Matthew Clemmens, 21, was sent to prison for at least 30 days, given two years probation, and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service, and pay $315 in restitution after the incident.
"Clemmens pleaded guilty to making himself throw up on a young girl at a Phillies game," the district attorney's office said in a statement.
For slightly more made-up and definitely more hilarious news stories check out The Spanner Online
