Founded by We Love Soaps Roger Newcomb in 2009 and produced in conjunction with Susan Bernhardt of Leonian Pictures, the Indie Series Awards celebrate the best in independently produced entertainment created for the Web. Now in it's 14th year, the Indie Series Awards is the largest international awards gala for independent digital and audio fiction series producers!

The 14th Annual Indie Series Awards two day celebration in May 2024 will begin with a fun and casual nominee pre-party where creators celebrate their outstanding achievements in the world of indie series production and meet other like minded filmmakers. The following evening is the BIG EVENT! The red carpet, reception, and Indie Series Awards ceremony collectively create an unforgettable evening of glitz and recognition, where talented independent series creators and industry luminaries come together to celebrate exceptional storytelling and creativity.

The Indie Series Awards is renowned for its unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusivity, fostering a welcoming environment that embraces creators from various backgrounds and ensures a wide spectrum of unique stories is recognized and celebrated.

The Indie Series Awards, also known as the ISAs, honor a genre that emphasizes artistic merit and social impact over corporate profits, however, the overall quality of the nominated shows is comparable to that of most TV sitcom or dramas—in fact, several past winners went on to partner with traditional television content providers.

Past nominated series represent the highest level of achievement in the genre--groundbreaking programs, created by entertainment industry professionals (many of them celebrities), that have been viewed and listened to over 500 million times.

Notable winners over the years include Emma Thompson, Billy Dee Williams, Robert Townsend, Jeff Goldblum, Lou Diamond Phillips, Judd Hirsch, Richard Hatch, Joan Van Ark, Keith Powell, A. Martinez, Sean Kanan, Cady Huffman, Jim Rash, Michele Lee, Charlene Tilton, Tristan Rogers, Patrika Darbo, Carolyn Hennesy, J. August Richards, Wesley Taylor, Frankie Grande, and many more!

NEW for 2024 is the addition of Best Animation Series plus additional animation awards for Best Writing, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Ensemble!

WATCH THE FULL CEREMONY OF THE 13TH ANNUAL INDIE SERIES AWARDS HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZOOpeO_0FY

We invite all passionate and innovative content creators to submit their series to the Indie Series Awards!

Awards & Prizes

The 14th Annual Indie Series Awards has 38 CATEGORIES including Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, Best International Series, Best Audio Fiction Series, Best Animation Series, the ISA14 Spotlight Award plus long standing categories that honor the entire cast and crew of the series!

Each category will be awarded the coveted Indie Series Awards custom engraved crystal award, surprise rewards and will be given global recognition from the premiere gala for independent series'.

The 38 categories which will be awarded at the 14th Annual Indie Series Awards are:

Best Drama Series
Best Comedy Series
Best International Series
Best Audio Fiction Series
Best Animation Series
ISA14 Spotlight Award

Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Production Design
Best Makeup
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Score
Best Original Song

Best Directing (Drama)
Best Directing (Comedy)
Best Writing (Drama)
Best Writing (Comedy)
Best Writing (Audio Fiction)
Best Writing (Animation)

Best Lead Actor (Drama)
Best Lead Actor (Comedy)
Best Actor (Audio Fiction)
Best Actor (Animation)
Best Lead Actress (Drama)
Best Lead Actress (Comedy)
Best Actress (Audio Fiction)
Best Actress (Animation)
Best Supporting Actor (Drama)
Best Supporting Actor (Comedy)
Best Supporting Actress (Drama)
Best Supporting Actress (Comedy)
Best Guest Performer (Drama)
Best Guest Performer (Comedy)

Best Ensemble (Drama)
Best Ensemble (Comedy)
Best Ensemble (Audio Fiction)
Best Ensemble (Animation)

Rules & Terms

Any professional, independently (non-studio) produced scripted series (drama, comedy, audio fiction or animation) that publicly broadcast at least three original NEW episodes between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 may be submitted by the series producer or representative, for award consideration.

The producer/representative must first select a MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY submission (Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, Best International Series, Best Audio Fiction Series, Best Animation Series or ISA14 Spotlight Award). After entering the MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY with the best episode of the series, the submitter will receive an email with a unique waiver code which will be used to enter up to FOUR creative categories at no charge. Additional creative categories and all actor categories may also be submitted for a small fee per category. An entry is ineligible for award consideration in all categories if the series producer or representative fails to submit a MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY as their first entry for ISA14.

If the series is NOT submitted by the producer, or representative, a cast member may submit themselves for nomination consideration. Only show producers or representatives are eligible to submit multiple categories. Duplicate submissions will be disqualified and no refund will be issued.

Acting category submissions MUST be a compilation reel of under 10 minutes highlighting the actor being submitted unless the series episodes are under 10 minutes then it can be one episode but must include the time code when the actor first appears and a detailed description of the actor. Ensemble categories must be a full episode. If submitting for Best Original Song, please include a link to the full song on a free music platform or YouTube (if available).

Should you receive a nomination (or multiple nominations) for the 14th Annual Indie Series Awards, the primary contact for the series (or the submitter if it was a single category submission) is responsible for supplying all required materials to the Indie Series Awards NO LATER than Monday, April 1, 2024. Instructions will be sent, via email, following the nomination announcement and will be strictly enforced. Nominees that fail to supply required materials within the requested time frame are subject to disqualification.

If you are the series producer or representative and are submitting for award consideration, you certify that you have publicly broadcast at least three original NEW episodes between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Series producers that do not follow this rule are subject to disqualification without a refund.

Should you win in your category and are not in attendance at the ISA14 ceremony, or have not designated an attendee to accept the award on your behalf, there will be a charge to mail your crystal award.

By submitting for award consideration, rights are hereby granted for the Indie Series Awards to use the name, logo, video and content for the award ceremony (both live and taped), presentations, highlight reels and promotional materials.

The Indie Series Awards reserve the right to amend awards, categories, dates, venue and/or move to an online ceremony pending any issues outside of the control of the Indie Series Awards including, but not limited to health and safety concerns, natural disasters or any other unexpected situations.

14TH ANNUAL INDIE SERIES AWARDS TIMELINE

Friday, September 15, 2023 Early Entry Period Opens

Saturday, September 30, 2023 Early Entry Period Closes

Sunday, October 1, 2023 Regular Entry Period Opens

Thursday, November 30, 2023 Regular Entry Period Closes

Friday, December 1, 2023 Extended Entry Period Opens

Sunday, December 31, 2023 Extended Entry Period Closes

Monday, January 1, 2024 LAST CHANCE Entry Period Opens

Saturday, January 20, 2024 LAST CHANCE Entry Period Closes

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 Nomination Announcement

Friday, March 8, 2024 Nominee Discount Ticketing Opens

Sunday, March 17, 2024 Nominee Discount Ticketing Closes

Monday, March 18, 2024 Tickets On Sale (general ticketing)

Monday, March 18, 2024 Media Credential Application Available

Monday, April 1, 2024 Deadline for Nominee Clips

Friday, April 12, 2024 Advertising Deadline

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Ceremony Rehearsal (daytime)
Annual Nominee Pre-Party (evening)

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 ISA14 Awards Ceremony including Red
Carpet Reception & Official After Party

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ THE 14th ANNUAL INDIE SERIES AWARDS SUBMISSION GUIDE FOR COMPLETE RULES!

https://tinyurl.com/ISA14Guide

18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nik Jermaine

    We were honored that our project "Mortuus Est: Legacy" was nominated for Best Ensemble - Audio Fiction. The event was great -- so many other amazing projects were nominated and the ceremony/parties were so fun. Thanks to Roger and Susan for putting together the event!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Nik! You have a really great series - we hope you will come back with another season or another show next year!

  • Robin Shore

    The Indie Series awards are great !!! The whole thing is so well organized and produced. Roger and Susan really go the extra mile to make indie creators feel special welcome. Our cast and crew were thrilled to be included in such fun couple nights and we all had such a blast hanging out on the red carpet and attending the award ceremony. This was our first year attending and we hope to be back many times in the future!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We're thrilled to have added audio fiction series last year and know that we hope to all a couple more categories next year too! Congrats to you and your team on a stellar series! And thanks so much!

  • R. Williams

    The ISA’s were so warm and embracing of our little project, Millennials. Roger, Susan, and their entire team were so inclusive and welcoming to all the nominees and winners. They seem to have a great appreciation for the independent creating process. Thank you for honoring Millennials at this year’s ISA13, and we are so grateful to have been chosen. Best experience ever!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Congrats to the entire Millennials team for a great show! It was great to meet you all - hope to see you back again with a new season! Thank you!!!

  • Kai Morgan

    The entire Treading Yesterday production team thanks Roger, Susan, and their entire team for exemplifying their deep love of and respect for the work that goes into creating and producing independent series. Their communication, attention to detail and warm hospitality are second to none. We’ve attended festivals worldwide and the ISA’s are among our best and most memorable experiences.

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    It was so great to meet everyone from the Treading Yesterday team! We're so happy you enjoyed the event and you are right, we love the world of indie filmmaking! Thanks so much and congrats to all of you!

  • Brad Forenza

    A wonderfully empowering and inspiring event, for sure... where professionalism and opportunities for networking are top-shelf. Thank you, ISAs!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    You're so welcome Brad - thank you! Kudos for jumping into the audio fiction series world. Hope to see you back for next years ceremony!