The Critics’ Choice Association, the organization of about 500 critics and entertainment journalists behind the Critics’ Choice Awards and its various ceremonies, is creating the Critics’ Choice Awards for Creators, the organization announced Thursday. The event will honor creators in the digital space across podcasts, scripted and unscripted series, documentary and media shows, lifestyle content, game shows and sports series.
The inaugural Critics Choice Creator Awards will be held on April 15, 2027. Categories will include Creator of the Year, Best Podcast Host, Best Audio Podcast, Best Video Podcast, Best Comedy Creator, Best Drama Creator, Best Comedy Series, Best Drama Mini-Series, Best Business Series, Best Health/Wellness Creator, Best Relationship Series Creator and more.
“As the world of entertainment evolves and moves to social media and streaming platforms, it is the job of entertainment critics to move with them,” CCA CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement. “We are committed to helping entertainment consumers ‘find the good stuff’ as well as helping the best creators find and recognize the best creators. To continue our mission of serving audiences and the creative community, we are proud to launch the Critics Choice Creator Awards.”
Submitted work must be publicly available online for the target audience any time between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Entries will be accepted from October 19, 2026 through February 1, 2027. Nominations will be announced on March 18, 2027, and winners will be revealed on April 15, 2027.
Critics’ Choice Awards Schedule for Creators
Monday, October 19, 2026 – Early application opens
Monday, November 16, 2026 – Early application closed; Regular submissions are open
Monday, February 1, 2027 – Regular application closes
Tuesday, February 2 – Friday, March 12, 2027 – Deliberations of the Nominating Committee
Thursday, March 18, 2027 – Announcing the candidates
Thursday, April 15, 2027 – Winners of the Critics Choice Creator Awards announced
Critics’ Choice Awards Categories for Creators
General awards
Best Builder of the Year
Best live streaming creator
Best video editing
Best viral video
Best special effects
Podcast
Best audio podcast
Best video podcast
Best podcast host
Genre Awards
Best comedy creator
Best drama maker
Best narrator
Best news reporter
Written series
Best Comedy Series: Miniseries (less than 3 minutes)
Best Comedy Series: Long Series (3+ minutes)
Best Drama Mini Series: Short Story (less than 3 minutes)
Best Drama Mini Series: Long Form (3+ minutes)
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Best Actor in a Drama Mini Series
Best Actress in a Drama Mini Series
Unwritten and reality
Best competition series
Best Contest Series: Talent/Variety
Best organized series
Best series host
Documentary and media
Best documentary series
Best documentary maker
Best educational series
Best educational creator
Best series
Best business builder
Best crime/justice series
Best crime/justice maker
Best animal/nature series
Best animal/nature creator
Best health/wellness series
Best health/wellness builder
Lifestyle and interest
The best food and beverage chain
Best food and beverage maker
Best travel/adventure series
Best travel/adventure builder
Best relationship series
The best relationship chain builder
Best Lifestyle Series: Home/Garden
Best Lifestyle Builder: Home/Garden
Best Lifestyle Series: Fashion/Beauty
Best Lifestyle Creator: Fashion/Beauty
Best pop culture series
Best pop culture creator
games
Best presentation of the game
Best game software maker
Sports
Best sports series
Best Sports Program: Dialogue/Analysis
