Excellence in Journalism & Video Awards

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Assn™ Excellence in Journalism & Video, recognizes superior performance by journalists and videographers. This is a self-nomination program.

NOTE: If you are an IFWTWA Member, please login to your profile in order to receive member pricing.

Eligibility Criteria:

The member entry fee is $30 for submission of the first article or video and $20 for each additional entry. To receive the member discount, the member must be in good standing at the time of entry and throughout the contest and must be logged into their IFWTWA account.
The non-member entry fee is $35 for submission of the first article or video and $25 for additional entries.
Submit a published print or online article, blog or Substack post, or video on the subject of food, wine, travel, or any combination thereof (See categories) that was published between 8/1/24 and 9/19/26.
Published articles range from 800 to 2500 words and videos no longer than 4 minutes.
Long form articles range from 2500 to 5500 words, and videos are longer than 4 minutes.
Entries are payable when the article or video is submitted for consideration.
On your first submission, always select the 1st Submission option.
If you are submitting more than one entry, on your second and additional entries, please select the “2nd and subsequent submissions” option when completing the article information in order to obtain the discount on additional entries.
No limit to the number of entries a journalist may submit in a given year.
If your article is print or behind a paywall, please upload a PDF version including photos.
Losing entries may be resubmitted in subsequent years.
Use of Artificial Intelligence: AI-assisted tools may be used for functions such as spelling, grammar, organization, research assistance, or refining an author’s original writing. However, entries must be substantially the entrant’s own original work. Articles or videos generated primarily or substantially by artificial intelligence are not eligible for submission.
Nominations must be received between August 19, 2026 and September 19, 2026.

Entry Period

The IFWTWA Excellence in Journalism and Video Contest begins at 12:00 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 18, 2026, Pacific Standard Time. Entries before or after this entry period will not be eligible. Winners will be announced in Q1 2027.

Evaluation Criteria:

Each entry is carefully and objectively evaluated by the IFWTWA Awards Committee and outside judges using established evaluation criteria. The evaluation includes the following:

Technical elements: grammar, spelling, punctuation, adherence to official rules, in video discernible audio, editing, videography
Originality and creativity in the treatment of a subject, appropriateness to theme
Clarity and structure of the composition or video
Accuracy of facts and details

Awards:

Best in Show – $150
1st Place in each Category – $100
2nd Place
3rd Place
Honorable Mention

Winners receive:

Cash prize for Best in Show and 1st Place Winners
Award announcement listed on IFWTWA website, TravMedia and across all IFWTWA social media outlets
FWT Magazine article featuring the winning articles and videos
Excellence in Journalism Award certificate presented by the President of IFWTWA

The number of awards given in a year is at the discretion of the IFWTWA Awards Committee.