(Blck PR Wire) LOS ANGELES  – Today the NAACP announced 21 new submission categories, along with changes to submission guidelines for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards. Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, the NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts and those who promote social justice through their creative work.

Entries can be submitted now through Friday, December 18th at www.naacpimageawards.net in the categories of motion picture, television + streaming, recording, and literature. New submission categories include:

• Television + Streaming: Outstanding Animated Series; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television); Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama; Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form Series; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety; Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction; and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

• Recording: Outstanding International Song; Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental Outstanding Jazz Album–Vocal; Outstanding Soul/R&B Song; Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song; Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional); Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary); and Outstanding Producer of the Year

• Motion Picture: Outstanding International Motion Picture; Outstanding Animated Motion Picture; Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture); Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action); Outstanding Short-Form (Animated); and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the entertainment industry, the NAACP Image Awards has also made several rules and guideline changes to ensure that the process has taken into account current conditions. The eligibility period for all projects is January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.

The performance or project cannot be used from a previously released project that would have qualified in a previous year (i.e. a rebroadcast performance, a performance in a released film being rebroadcast, or a remix of a song or album from a previous year or reprint of a released book). Legacy projects that are rebroadcasted or rereleased do not qualify. Additional submission requirements are included below.

FOR APPROVAL “While we are living in unprecedented times, we are excited to continue the rich tradition of recognizing the excellence and achievement of people of color in the arts,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Uplifting and celebrating diverse content, narratives and representation have the power to shape perceptions and change communities—which is needed now more than ever.”

Following are key calendar dates for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards:

Friday, December 18 – Online submissions closes

Monday, December 28 – Nominating committee voting begins

Friday, January 15 – Nominating committee voting closes

Wednesday, January 20 – Nominations announced and online voting opens

Friday, February 5 – Online voting closes

Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others) and NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners and others.

The 52nd NAACP Image Awards will be nationally telecast live in February.

For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.

Instagram:  @naacpimageawards |Twitter: @naacpimageaward | Facebook:  /naacpimageaward

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NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.