Time to Enter The Rookies - Deadline 20 June 2025

The 2025 Rookies is now open

Our animation, games and vfx students are now entering their projects in The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives.  The Rookies annual competition opened in April and the final deadline is 20th June 2025.

Escape Studios' tutors cannot enter student projects in The Rookies - our students must do this themselves. 

Your checklist includes screen credits (don't forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, stylish pre-production and development art - all these things should be submitted. And remember - only students can enter. Escape Studios' tutors and staff cannot do this for you. 

About The Rookies

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams."  All our final year students are strongly encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module PS6003.

15th Annual Rookie Awards

The 15th Annual Rookie Awards is a global showcase for talent; it is open to young creatives in visual effects, animation, games, virtual reality, motion graphics and 3d visualisation. All our graduating animation and VFX students are encouraged to enter. 

Create Your Entry Page

Start off by creating an entry page and submitting your details.  Set up a page and use it to showcase your best work - this can be both as a team (say, on a group project) and also individual work (note that professional client-facing paid work is not admissible).  

Students should treat their entry page as something they would show a recruiter when applying for a job. It should include a small bio about you, examples of your work, and your work history.

Deadline to Enter

"Offcut" - VFX Finalist

You can enter your work anytime until the deadline of June 1st 2024.

Rookies Rules 
To enter The Rookies you must:

• be 18 years or older.
• have studied at a certified university, school, or online training facility between January 2023 and May 2024.
• create an entry page and upload examples of your work

"Jerich0" - Highly Commended

Escape Studios Successes
In past years Escape Studios;' students have enjoyed many successes in The Rookies, including:

• Escape Studios ranked No 4 globally (and No 1 in the UK) for Animation & VFX,  
• Escape Projects "Highly Commended" in many categories,  
• Escape Students reach the finals in many categories in animation, VFX and games.  
• Escape Studios ranked No5 Globally (No 1 in the UK) for Anim & VFX Production 2020
• "Introduction to The Light" Wins Rookies Excellence Award
• "Kiwi's Dream" Wins "People's Choice Award" at the Rookies
• "Slushy" Wins Honourable Mention at The Rookies
• "The Crash" Wins Hon Mention at The Rookies
• "Little Gestures" Hon Mention at The Rookies
• Escape Animators Finalists in Rookies "Knight Spider" Competition
• "Offcut" Finalist in Rookies' VFX Film of The Year
  
• Escape Studios in "Top 50" Rookies' Rankings

Official Rookies Site
To see more, visit the official site.

Apply Early

It's always a good idea to enter early - make a great first impression and get more eyes on your work. 

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.  

To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.