Jackson Wild Media Awards Preliminary Judge Application

Please complete this application form to be considered as a preliminary judge for the 2026 Jackson Wild Media Awards. The information provided will be used to support all of Jackson Wild’s judging needs.  

2026 Jackson Wild Preliminary Judging Schedule Please note: Dates are subject to minor adjustments (within a few days).

•  Round 1: May 21 – June 15 (26 days, including 4 weekends)  High need for judges (200+)  Open to all levels of experience and expertise, higher chance of placement.  
•  Round 2: June 25 – July 20 (26 days, including 4 weekends)  Lower need for judges (70+)  More selective; requires greater experience and subject-matter expertise.

Each round includes assignments ranging from approximately 5 to 20 hours. The maximum total commitment across both rounds is 40 hours. Please note that hours may vary depending on category and submission volume, and Jackson Wild cannot guarantee a specific time commitment.

Judging Benefits: Jackson Wild is currently in the planning stages for hosting a 1-2 day industry event scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California in early November. Preliminary judges will be extended invitations to participate, with the added benefit of receiving exclusive discounts on event passes.

• Judges who commit to 5 hours or less will receive a complimentary Virtual Pass to this year’s Finalist Screening Room, where select finalist films will be available to watch on demand for a limited time.
• Judges who commit to 5–20 hours per round will receive a discount on an in-person event pass equivalent to their total hours committed, up to a maximum of 40% off for 40 hours across both rounds of judging.
• All judges will be acknowledged on the website and during the Awards Ceremony.

Please note that hours may vary depending on category and submission volume, and Jackson Wild cannot guarantee a specific time commitment.

You will be notified of your application status once a suitable assignment match is identified. Placement depends on factors such as Jackson Wild’s needs, submission volume, and potential conflicts of interest, so earlier notification may not be possible. We encourage applicants to remain flexible and available during the outlined judging timeline.

If you have any questions about judging please contact: Scarlett@jacksonwild.org.