B Free Awards

B Free Awards Categories 2026

Submission Categories

WOW! FACTOR

The On-Air Talent Category
The WOW! Factor Award celebrates an on-air personality who captivates audiences with an unforgettable presence. Whether it’s through a traditional hosting style or a uniquely compelling on-screen energy, this individual has that special something — the WOW! Factor — that keeps viewers engaged and wanting more.

SPIRIT AND BEING

The Spirit and Wellness Category
The Spirit and Being Award recognizes programming that nurtures the spiritual, mental, physical, or overall well-being of its audience. This category honors content that promotes healing, self-care, mindfulness, personal growth, or community wellness.

B Artistic

The Artist Category
Focused on elevating art through the exploration of subject matter and thought-provoking artistic expression, this category recognizes creators who harness the power of media to advance the arts.

The B Artistic Award honors those who enrich the cultural fabric of their communities through their artistry and innovation, or by focusing a lens on artists within our community that are making an impact. 

B Cinematic

The Film Category
The B Cinematic Award celebrates the creative visionaries behind these exceptional productions, acknowledging their dedication to crafting stories that entertain, inspire, and provoke thought. Their work sets a benchmark for excellence in scripted programming leaving a lasting impact on audiences.

B Documented

The Documentary Category
This award honors excellence in non-fiction, documentary programming with an emphasis on engaging storytelling and high production value, that turns a lens on real world stories.

B Harmonious

The Music Category
The B Harmonious Award honors excellence in music programming, celebrating the outstanding presentation of live music, music videos, and music talk shows. This award recognizes creators who bring exceptional made for television musical experiences to audiences through innovative and captivating content.

B Hilarious

The Comedy Category
The B Hilarious Award honors excellence in engaging comedy performances, recognizing outstanding achievements in stand-up, sketch comedy, and scripted comedy. This award celebrates performers and creators who bring joy, laughter, and entertainment through their exceptional comedic talent, timing, and creativity to television.

B Informed

The News & Information Category
The B Informed Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in providing informative and insightful media content that educates, empowers, and enlightens the community. This award honors those who play a vital role in keeping the community informed and engaged.

Global Voices

The Language & Culture Category
The Global Voices in Media award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exemplary efforts in using media to celebrate and preserve the diversity of languages and cultures within community media. This award honors those who have made significant contributions to promoting cross-cultural understanding, linguistic diversity, and multiculturalism through media content.

NextGen

The Made By or For Youth Category
The NextGen Award honors outstanding content created by, for, or aboutyouth. This category recognizes programming that delivers a powerful, meaningful message aimed at informing, inspiring, entertaining or empowering the next generation. Whether produced by young creators or focused on youth-centered themes, this content stands out for its impact and relevance to young audiences.

B Free First Amendment

The Politics and Social Justice Category
The B Free First Amendment Award is given for work that has advanced or strengthened the notion of Free Speech in the community. The show could document outside work around the First Amendment or be a program which pushes the limits of Free Speech.

Production Craftsmanship

The Excellence in Production Category
The Production Craftsmanship Award celebrates creators who demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation in the field of media production. Recipients of this award exemplify mastery in their craft, combining technical expertise with artistic vision to produce impactful content.

Community Voices in Podcasting

The Podcasting Award
The Community Voices in Podcast award celebrates the power of podcasting as a platform for amplifying diverse voices and fostering community engagement. This award recognizes podcasters who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and authenticity in sharing the stories, perspectives, and experiences through Brooklyn Free Speech Radio.

Non-Submission Category 

The Public Access Legend Award

The excellence and longevity

BRIC Honors trailblazers who have made a lasting impact on community media and public access television through their dedication to meaningful content creation and or volunteerism. This award celebrates those who have laid the foundation upon which we continue to build.

Most Valuable Producer Award

The production support and volunteer Award 

The Most Valuable Producer Award celebrates BRIC Certified Community Producers who give their time and production (in studio or field production) or post production skillset to assisting others. Those honored with this award volunteer often, bring positive support to projects and make a difference in the creative process of their fellow community producers through their support.