Founded by We Love Soaps LLC's Roger Newcomb in 2009, the Indie Series Awards celebrate the best in independently produced entertainment created for the Web.

Indie series are to Network TV series what Independent Films are to mainstream movies; innovation and creativity thrive and fanatical followers are the norm. New this year is the addition of Best Audio Fiction and the actors that deliver the dynamic performances, Best Audio Fiction Writing plus the ISA12 SPOTLIGHT AWARD.

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 over 200 million times.

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

The 12th Annual Indie Series Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Burbank, CA with an invitation only nominee celebration the evening prior.

For the first time in it's twelve year history, the Indie Series Awards are excited to be accepting submissions exclusively on FilmFreeway!

Awards & Prizes

Each category winner below will be awarded the prestigious Official Indie Series Awards Crystal Trophy.

Additional industry related prizes may be announced.

AWARD CATEGORIES

MANDATORY MAIN

Best Drama Series
Best Comedy Series
Best Audio Fiction Series
ISA12 Spotlight Award (micro-budget, new series only)

ADD-ON

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

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

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

Best Cinematography (All Shows)
Best Soundtrack (All Shows)
Best Original Score (All Shows)
Best Editing (All Shows)
Best Production Design (All Shows)
Best Costume Design (All Shows)
Best Makeup (All Shows)
Best Original Song (All Shows)

"I salute the ISAs for being a platform that recognizes the work of independent filmmakers across all backgrounds but especially those that aim to humanize and place value on the black lives that matter in this country."
-James Bland - ISA9 and ISA10 Winner Best Drama - Giants
(Creator / Producer)

"I'm so proud to be in this room with all of you artists who did not need permission, had been told we don't do it that way or we're not really gonna do that, well f*** it, I'm gonna go do it myself."
-Lou Diamond Phillips - ISA10 Winner Best Guest Actor in a Drama - Conversations in LA
(Prodigal Son, La Bamba)

"Thank you guys for having this space for us - for being an inspiration to us. But get ready cuz we're coming for every single one of you!"
-Vanessa Baden Kelly - ISA9 Winner Best Drama - Giants
(Kenan & Kel)

"Doing a web series has been the best "YES" of my career. I made this show with my friends - for my friends."
-Keith Powell ISA7 Winner Best Lead Actor in a Comedy - Keith Broke His Leg
(Connecting, 30 Rock)

"There's so much talent in this room - thank you to the ISAs - I want to work with all of you!"
-Charlene Tilton - ISA5 Winner Best Guest Actress in a Drama - DeVanity
(Dallas)

Rules & Terms

Any professional, independently (non-studio) produced scripted series (drama, comedy or audio fiction) that publicly broadcast at least three original NEW episodes between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 may be submitted by the series producer for consideration. There is a two year eligibility period due to COVID-19. The producer must first select and complete a MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY submission (Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, Best Audio Fiction Series or ISA12 Spotlight Award) then create additional submissions for ADD-ON categories (see submission instructions).

If the series is NOT submitted by the producer, a cast member may submit themselves for nomination consideration. Only show producers 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. NO EXCEPTIONS! Excludes the Ensemble categories.

If submitting for Best Original Song, please include the time code when the song appears in the video and include a link to the full song on a music platform or YouTube (if available).

Should you receive a nomination (or multiple nominations) for the 12th 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, February 21, 2022. 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 possible disqualification.

By submitting for award consideration, rights are hereby granted for the Indie Series Awards to use the name, logo, video and content for awards, presentations, highlight reels and promotional materials.

If you are the series producer and are submitting for award consideration, you certify that you have publicly broadcast at least three original NEW episodes between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Series producers that do not follow this rule are subject to possible disqualification without a refund.

The Indie Series Awards reserve the right to amend awards, categories, dates, and activities, if necessary.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read the 12th Annual Indie Series Awards Rules & Submission Guide (https://www.tinyurl.com/ISA12Guide) to determine the MANDATORY MAIN category you would like to submit your series for and any ADD-ON categories.

2. If you haven't used FilmFreeway before, create an account for your series.

3. Upload your best episode and submit in the MANDATORY MAIN category.

4. Review the confirmation email.  If you are submitting for ADD-ON categories, you will use the password provided in the email to submit.

5. Upload another episode (a project file) and choose the categories that you are submitting that episode for.  Repeat step until you have submitted in every ADD-ON category you've chosen.

2022 Indie Series Awards Timeline

Monday, February 1, 2021 Early Entry Period Opens

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Early Entry Period Closes

Thursday, April 1, 2021 Regular Entry Period Opens

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Regular Entry Period Closes

Wednesday, September, 1, 2021 Extended Entry Period Opens

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Extended Entry Period Closes

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 LAST CHANCE Entry Period Opens

Friday, December 31, 2021 LAST CHANCE Entry Period Closes

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Nomination Announcement

Monday, February 7, 2022 Nominee Discount Ticketing Opens

Sunday, February 13, 2022 Nominee Discount Ticketing Closes

Monday, February 14, 2022 Tickets On Sale (general ticketing)

Monday, February 14, 2022 Media Credential Applications Available

Monday, February 21, 2022 Deadline for Nominee Clips

Friday, March 11, 2022 Deadline for Program Book AD

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Annual Nominee Pre-Party

Thursday, April 7, 2022 ISA12 Awards Ceremony (includes red carpet reception and after party)

ENTRY FEES

Early Entry period runs from February 1 to March 31, 2021. The fee is $60 for the MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY and $20 for each ADD-ON category.

Regular Entry period runs from April 1 to August 31, 2021. The fee is $75 for the MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY and $25 for each ADD-ON category.

Extended Entry period from September 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021. The fee is $95 for the MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY and $35 for each ADD-ON category.

LAST CHANCE Entry period runs from December 1-31, 2021. The fee is $120 for the MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY and $50 for each ADD-ON category.

Single Category Cast Self-Submissions entry fees are the same as a MANDATORY MAIN CATEGORY.

KEY SUBMISSION DATES (exclusively via FilmFreeway)

Early Entry Period Opens: February 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Early Entry Period Deadline: March 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Regular Entry Period Opens: April 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Regular Entry Period Deadline: August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Extended Entry Period Opens: September 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Extended Entry Deadline: November 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET

LAST CHANCE Entry Period Opens: December 1, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET
LAST CHANCE Entry Deadline: December 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET

VOTING

All eligible submissions are reviewed and discussed by a nominating committee assembled by the Indie Series Network, Serial Scoop editorial staff, plus the Indie Series Awards production team. They will handpick six nominees for 33 categories along with the awardee of the ISA12 Spotlight Award.

The final round of judging will be determined by an industry panel of experts including producers, directors, writers and other leaders from the Entertainment community who will review and judge each the nominees in each category.

ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL

For any other questions about the Indie Series Awards (ISA12) submission process, please contact info@indieseriesawards.com.