JUDGING:
Q1: How are the Pinnacle Award Entries Judged?
A: Entries are grouped into their main category areas (TV, Radio, Multi-Media, Print, Sponsorship, Critical Component, Merchandise, Grand Pinnacle etc.) and a group of 2-3 judges assigned to the specific category areas will go through the judging process, each looking thoroughly at each individual entry. Each judge only judges their specific category area of entries, and will not view entries in any other category area.
Judges base their decisions on the specific criteria and requirements that have been asked for, for each category. Entries must meet all the requirements needed for each specific entry. If something within those requirements has not been met, points are deducted. All of these requirements are based on the overall criteria for each entry. If anything in the criteria has not been met, points are deducted.
Each and every event that enters the Pinnacle competition is completely different from the other, no two are alike, therefore no two entries are alike. So it’s quite difficult to judge one against the other. Each festival & event’s interpretation of the specific requirements that are asked for is different from the other. So it becomes the subjective opinion of the judges to determine if that festival or event has met the requirements based on the criteria and their experience and expertise in the festivals & events industry and their knowledge of that requirement area.
When there are usually 2-3 judges reviewing each entry, one judge’s subjective opinion may be completely different from another’s, therefore one entry may score higher with one judge and lower with another. Because of this, we do not solely rely on the points scored to determine the winning entries but instead use them to assist the judges to narrow down the field of entries. At that point, the judging is completely subjective. The judges go to great lengths to discuss each entry, again based on their experience and expertise in the festivals & events industry, to determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.
Q2: How will the judges be able to judge all of the Pinnacle entries now that they’re all in digital format?
A: Great question! Our judging event will look very different now. We used to bring in about 20 judges and judge everything in one day at the IFEA World Headquarters. It was a lot of fun and the judges really enjoyed it. We still may do some in-person judges for those who want that in-person experience still, but we will now be able to open up the judging to be done virtually for those a little further away from the IFEA Offices.
Q4: Who judges the Pinnacle Entries?
A: The judges are recognized professionals in the fields of radio, television, website development, social/multi/print-media, graphic design, photography, promotions, public relations, marketing, advertising and festival & event planning and management. They do not take their judging role lightly. They know the impact that their decisions will have on each event, whether they win or not and a great amount of time is taken over the judging process.
Q5: Why aren’t we able to know the names of the judges?
A: We do not reveal the names of the judges as we make every effort to protect them from questions from the media and/or festivals & events – opting to direct all the questions about the judging process and the awards directly to the IFEA instead.
Q 6: Will entries from July 2019 to June 2022 really all be competing against each other?
A: Yes, all 3 years will be judged against each other. (We won’t be judging the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Pinnacles separately and then awarding awards by year.) We opted to keep the entry eligibility period starting in July 2019, as for some, they have not been able to hold their event since that time, so we want to give them the opportunity to be recognized, in addition to still recognizing every event since, from others.