The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers AssnTM Excellence in Journalism & Video, launched on January 1, 2015, recognizes superior performance by journalists and now videographers. This is a self-nomination program.
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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.
- 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 8/1/23 and 8/1/25.
- Published articles range from 800 to 2500 words and videos no longer than 4 minutes.
- The non-member entry fee is $35 for submission of the first article or video and $25 for additional entries.
- Entries are payable when article or video is submitted for consideration.
- No limit to the number of entries a journalist may submit in a given year.
- Losing entries may be resubmitted in subsequent years.
- Nominations must be received between August 11, 2025 and September 5, 2025.
Categories:
- Culinary – This can include articles about a chef, restaurant, food purveyor, agritourism, farming practice or Food Trail
- Wine & Spirits – This can include articles about a winemaker, winery, distillery, wine region, wine destination or wine trail, vineyard practice.
- Travel – This can include adventure travel, art, architecture, history, solo travel, and family travel.
- For video there is only one category encompassing Culinary, Wine & Spirits and Travel.
Entry Period
The IFWTWA Excellence in Journalism and video begins at 12:00 am on Monday, August 11, 2025, and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 5, 2025, Pacific Standard Time. Entries before or after this entry period will not be eligible. Winners will be announced in Q4 2025.
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