The Awards
A New Blades award isn’t just a prize on the night — it’s a credential you carry for life. In a close-knit industry, it opens doors, starts conversations, and marks you as someone the craft took notice of early.
The New Blades Award
Awarded for the best body of work presented on a stand at the show. The judging panel considers the student’s rationale, contextualisation, and overall presentation of their models.
The Mastery Award
Recognises the highest standard of finished quality in relation to the type of model. Whether in sculpting, architecture, prop, product, digital, or puppet making, the work demonstrates exceptional skill, control, and craftsmanship.
The Pioneer Award
Awarded to a model that reflects innovation through the use of materials, process, or technology, whether physical or digital. The work may demonstrate inventive combinations of ideas, bold use of new techniques, or risk-taking that has produced an interesting and well-executed outcome.
The Interaction Award
Awarded to a model that successfully uses interaction to engage an audience. This may be through movement, mechanical function, digital technology, handling, electronic response, performance, or educational engagement.
The Storyteller Award
Awarded to a model that presents a clear narrative and communicates an idea, theme, or aesthetic through storytelling. The work may achieve this through material, texture, form, character, miniature, prop, or structure.
The Compass Award
Recognises a project that exemplifies an ethical approach to making, with consideration for people, society, and the environment. This may be demonstrated through material choices, process, collaboration, project intent, or the maker’s individual perspective.
The People’s Choice Award
Awarded to the personal favourite of visitors to the show, whether for one person’s whole stand or for a single model in the exhibition.