The 60th Annual Gabriel Awards
The Gabriel Awards honor outstanding film, broadcast and digital media from around the world.
About the Gabriel Awards
Since 1965, the Gabriel Awards have honored excellence in media that offers a faithful portrayal of the human experience. Created by the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals and now stewarded by the Catholic Media Association, the Gabriel Awards celebrate storytelling that reflects dignity, compassion, justice, community and tolerance.
The award itself, a silver angel raising a globe skyward, symbolizes communication of God’s word to humanity. For six decades, the Gabriel has stood as a respected honor in values-centered media.
Eligibility
- Entries must have been released between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
- Entries may be released in the United States or internationally. Non-English submissions must include English subtitles. Entries without subtitles will be disqualified.
- Eligible divisions: Film, Audio (Radio or Podcast), Television (Streaming or Digital Media).
Judging
All entries are reviewed by distinguished media professionals. Entries are evaluated on:
- Content & Values — dignity, justice, compassion, community or tolerance
- Creativity & Technical Excellence — direction, editing, and overall quality at or above industry standards
- Impact — emotional and intellectual resonance with the audience
Finalists announced: April 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. CT.
Awards presented at the Catholic Media Awards on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Awards
- Winners receive the a coveted Gabriel statue. The award itself is a nine-inch silver angel mounted on a polished base of wood. Gabriel raises skyward a globe encircled by electrons to symbolize the communication of God’s word to humanity. It is a salute to all those who strive for values-centered media.
- Finalists receive a certificate of accomplishment.
📂 Gabriel Awards Categories
▼ 🎬 Film
Visual storytelling that uplifts and reflects the good, the challenges and the beauty of the human spirit. Not limited to religious topics, but instead provides a story that inspires and uplifts the human person through the creative and technical beauty of cinema. Submissions that are not produced in English must include English subtitles in order to be judged.
- G105: Feature Film — Outstanding achievement in a feature film.
- G106: Short Film — Outstanding achievement in a short film.
- G107: Documentary Feature Film — Outstanding achievement in a documentary feature film.
- G108: Documentary Short — Outstanding achievement in a documentary short film.
Entry Fee: $200
▼ 🎧 Audio Content (Radio & Podcast)
Excellence in radio and podcast storytelling in English, whether news, interviews, or creative dramas. Eligible entries include all 2025 audio content specifically produced for radio or podcast releases spoken, submitted, or dubbed in English.
- G201: Single Story — A feature, local or national news single story or episode.
- G202: Hosted Profile or Interview — Excellence in a profile or interview format.
- G203: Best Audio Program or Show — A radio or podcast show of up to three episodes that best represent a program. If your work is an audio drama, please submit to G205.
- G204: Best Audio Drama – Single Episode — Excellence in dramatized audio content. Entries are either a single episode or story.
- G205: Best Audio Drama – Series — Best audio drama show. Submit three episodes of an audio drama series.
Entry Fee: $125
▼ 📺 Visual Content (Television, Streaming, and Digital)
Outstanding achievement in television, streaming and online video storytelling. Eligible entries include all 2025 television, streaming, and online content. Submissions that are not originally produced in English must include English subtitles in order to be judged.
- G401: Single News Story — Outstanding achievement in a single story, which may be a feature, local or national news story for an accredited media outlet. Entry consists of one URL to the story.
- G402: Special Event Coverage — Outstanding achievement in a documentary, local or national release. Entry consists of one URL to the program. This includes broadcast coverage of an event.
- G403: Streaming Scripted Series — Excellence in a scripted streaming series.
- G404: Documentary Series — Outstanding achievement in a documentary series.
- G405: Best Video for Digital Media — Outstanding achievement in video produced specifically as online content. The submission can come from all websites or social media platforms.
Entry Fee: $150
📅 Key Dates
- Submissions Open: November 3, 2025
- Open Submission Period Ends: January 30, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CT
- Extension Period Ends (late fee applies): February 6, 2026 – 11:59 p.m. CT
- Finalists Announced: April 22, 2026 – 10 a.m. CT
- Awards Presentation: June 19, 2026 – Catholic Media Awards, Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City
💵 Entry Fees
| Division | Open Submission (by Jan. 30, 2026) |
Extension (Jan 31.–Feb. 6, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Radio / Podcast | $125 | $150 |
| Television / Streaming / Digital Media | $150 | $175 |
| Film | $200 | $225 |
Payment Due: February 10, 2026
🏆 Past Winners (2025)
Here are some of the winners from the 59th Annual Gabriel Awards. View the winners gallery for more.
- Feature Film – First Place: *Hard Miles*
- Documentary Feature Film – First Place: *Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist*
- Documentary Short – First Place: *The House of the Lord*
- Single News Story – First Place: *Priority Purple: Overdose in Progress*
- Streaming Scripted Series – First Place: *A Great Symphony of Prayer*
Submission Guidelines
- Video: MP4
- Audio: MP3
- Documents: PDF
- Images: JPEG
All entries must be submitted via the CMA awards platform.
How to Enter
- Create an Entrant Profile. Organizations should create one shared profile. Returning entrants can log in with last year’s credentials and reset the password if needed. New entrants can click “Enter the Gabriel Awards” to create a profile.
- Submit Your Entry. Select a category, upload required files, and save progress any time before checkout.
- Complete Payment. Add entries to your cart and pay by credit card online or mail a check with the invoice. After payment, entries are marked complete and cannot be edited.
Mail Payments To
Catholic Media AssociationGabriel Awards Program
10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 875
Chicago, IL 60606
Contact
For eligibility, submission, or payment questions, email awards@catholicmediaassociation.org.