Submissions:
Friday, September 19, 2025: CDGA Submissions open at 9 a.m. PT
Monday, November 10, 2025: Submission Entries close at 5 p.m. PT

Nomination Ballots:
Friday, November 28, 2025: Nomination Ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT
Friday, December 5, 2025: Nomination Ballots voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

Announcements:
Friday, December 12, 2025: Official Announcement of Nominees

Final Ballots:
Wednesday, January 14, 2025: Final Ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final Ballot voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

Awards Ceremony
Thursday, February 12, 2026: Winners Announced at the 28th CDGA

Each non-member entry is subject to a $300 non-refundable, non-transferable processing fee. Additionally, for every Costume Designer and/or Co-Costume Designer listed on a project who is not a current member of the Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Local 892, an additional $250 fee per individual applies.

Examples:

• One non-member Costume Designer: Total entry fee = $300
• Two non-member Co-Costume Designers: Total entry fee = $600

CDG Local 892 members in good standing are exempt from individual entry fees, however, for union projects outside of Local 892’s jurisdiction, the submitting individual must indicate which union local they worked under as part of the submission process, and a non-member submission fee will be required.

Examples:

• One CDG Costume Designer: Total entry processing fee = $0
• One CDG Co-Costume Designer + One non-member Co-Costume Designer: Total entry fee = $300

If a non-member joins the CDG after the production has been completed, but prior to the entry submission deadline, for the new CDG member, if in good standing, the individual non-member fee would be waived to be included in the entry.

There is no individual fee for ACDs (CDG member or non-member) attached to the entry.

Payments must be made online through the submission site via the secure payment portal before an entry may be finalized. All entries must be completed and submitted by Monday, November 10, 2025 by 5 p.m. PT.

Refunds will not be given for incorrect submissions. If a submission is withdrawn or found to be ineligible, fees will not be refunded.

Categories for costumes are based solely on the costumes and not the world they exist in. For example, vampires in a contemporary time frame, is considered in the Contemporary category rather than Fantasy. Zombies in period costumes would be considered in the Period category rather than Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Post-apocalyptic costumes would fall in the category based on the time period of the apocalypse occurrence (Contemporary or Period) rather than Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

All films, over 15 minutes, whether theatrically released, aired on television, or streamed, will compete collectively in the Excellence in Film category. If a film is a sequel, part two or more, containing carry-over characters, some in pre-existing costumes, more than 50% of the costumes (including background) must be new and original to be included in a new entry with supporting documentation clarifying the difference.

• If a film is a “Director’s cut” consisting of only costumes from the original air date, it may not be entered. If more than 50% of the costumes (including background) are new and were not included in the original air date, then it may be entered with supporting documentation clarifying the difference.

A 4K high-bitrate 1080 studio approved video segment or public trailer must be included in the submission as well as a high-resolution quality image for our awards printed program. One 8×10 collage, of not more than 6 images, may be included to highlight specific costume details or featured costumes, but must not reveal the identity of the costume designer by image or signature.

A.) Excellence in Contemporary Film

• Any entry with at least 55% of all costumes (including background) existing within the last 25 years from the current award year [on or after January 1, 2000] will be considered a Contemporary Film entry.

B.) Excellence in Period Film

• Any entry with at least 55% of all costumes (including background) existing in a historical era, or a stylized historical era, greater than 25 years [on or before December 31, 1999] from the current entry year will be considered a Period Film entry.

C.) Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film

• Any entry with at least 15% of all costumes (including background) being Science Fiction or Fantasy, i.e., costumes that are not reality-based, but based on a fictitious, magical, mythical, and/or alternate world, will be considered a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film entry.

Categories for costumes are based on the costumes solely and not the world they exist in. For example, vampires in a contemporary time frame, is considered in the Contemporary category rather than Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Zombies in period costumes  would be considered in the Period category rather than Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Post-apocalyptic costumes would fall in the category based on the time period of the apocalypse occurrence (Contemporary or Period) rather than Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

Daytime drama series may be submitted under this category if the individual is contracted as a costume designer. For union projects outside of Local 892’s jurisdiction, the submitting individual must indicate which union local they worked under as part of the submission process and a non-member submission fee will be required.

All television submissions are for a single television episode rather than an entire series.

• Based on the single episode entry rule, an anthology series with stand-alone episodes will fall under the appropriate television category.

• An episode aired within the qualifying period must have the required percentage or more of the costumes in the chosen category. (See category details)

• A costume designer may submit up to two separate episodes of the same show in different categories, with no more than one entry per project, per category.

• The television categories will encompass all episodic projects whether aired on television or streamed on digital platforms. The project category is based on an individual episode.

• Episodes of a series may be submitted as stand-alone entries if designed by a different costume designer, with a maximum of two entries per project allowed across all designers, in no more than two different categories.

• Episodes with co-costume designers are limited to two entries, if different categories, and only if none of the costume designers credited are duplicates. For example, if a costume designer co-designs an episode with one individual and another episode with a different co-costume designer only one episode may be entered because the lead designer remained the same.

• A special episode of a series, for example, a Christmas special or animated episode, is to be considered part of the series.

A.) Excellence in Contemporary Television

• Any entry with at least 55% of all costumes (including background) being contemporary, i.e., costumes existing within the last 25 years from the current entry year [on or after January 1, 2000] will be considered a Contemporary Television entry.

B.) Excellence in Period Television

• Any entry with at least 55% of all costumes (including background) existing in a historical era, or a stylized historical era, greater than 25 years [on or before December 31, 1999] from the current entry year will be considered a Period Television entry.

C.) Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television

• Any entry with at least 15% of all costumes (including background) being Science Fiction or Fantasy, i.e., costumes that are not reality-based, but based on a fictitious magical, mythical, and/or alternate world will be considered a Sci- Fi /Fantasy Television entry.

D.) Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television

• Any entry of a variety, reality competition, or live television special, i.e., sketch show, award show, live musical, pre-recorded stage production, live music performance, competitive reality show, and talk show will be considered a Variety, Reality Competition, Live Television entry.

• If the project is led by a Host or several Hosts, with contestants or participants, all costume designers must be listed with screen credit to be considered as part of the entry. Costume designers may be credited as “Stylist” in the Variety category if a non-union production.

To be eligible, illustrators must be active members of CDG Local 892 in good standing.

A CDG-member illustrator may submit up to 5 illustrations in total within this category. Submissions may come from one or multiple projects but are limited to 2 illustrations per project.

Please note: If multiple illustrations from the same illustrator are nominated, only one illustration per show will advance to the final round of judging based on the descending number of nomination votes.

• Illustrations must be approved by both the lead costume designer and the studio prior to submission of the entry. (Studio authorization contract must be signed by the appropriate official and submitted with the entry)

• If a CDG-member costume designer has submitted their project for costume design consideration in a film, television, or short form category, they are not eligible to submit their illustration in this category.

• If a CDG-member ACD fulfills the role of costume illustrator, they may submit within this category, however they may not be eligible to submit if they are included in the entry as an eligible ACD.

• Only original character illustrations may be submitted; collages or team illustrations are not permitted. Multiple character digital images or lineups of multiple characters are ineligible; each entry should focus on a single character in a single costume. Submitting otherwise may result in disqualification. The only exception is for illustrations that were conceived from the beginning to feature more than one character on a single page (for example, a wedding couple).

• All entries must be from the final edited version of a film, television episode, or short form project released or aired within the qualifying period. A screenshot of the applicable costumes must be submitted as supporting documentation. Illustrations originally developed to assist the costume designer during pre-development or active development may not be revised after the fact to match the final on-screen version for submission. In some instances, the costume illustrations may not fully capture all the exact details of the final, fully-realized costume design as seen in the final screen version. A small disparity will be accepted only if approved by the lead costume designer and studio. However, any substantial alterations will not be approved and will render the submission ineligible for this category.

• Illustrations created for publicity or during the post-production phase may only be submitted if the illustrator was hired and paid under Local 892, and the illustration is explicitly approved by both the lead costume designer and the studio.

• Entries must be originally created and commissioned by and created directly under the costume department of the relevant studio or production company contract.

• The illustrator must have been hired and worked on the project in the costume department under a Local 892 collective bargaining agreement, with the following limited exception: 1099 work will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with supporting documentation required to confirm that the work was performed in the costume department and paid directly by the studio. Subcontracted work will not be eligible. In all cases, illustrators must report and inform the Guild of their work period on the project as part of the submission process.

• If the project falls outside of Local 892’s jurisdiction, the illustrator may petition the Awards Balloting Committee via email (awards@cdgia.com) for inclusion if they are an active member of CDG Local 892 in good standing and paid directly by the studio.

Submitted illustrations must NOT depict the likeness of an actor who did not portray the character in the final edit. If the final cast differs from the one depicted in the original illustration, the image may be altered to reflect the actor who ultimately played the role, provided that both the studio and the costume designer have approved the modification and there is documented studio approval for the change.

• Illustrations created utilizing AI will not be accepted.
• Illustrations must be submitted without signature or stamp to maintain anonymity.

• In order for this category to proceed with three nominees, a minimum of 10 individual illustrators must submit entries. To allow for five nominees, submissions must be received from at least 15 individual illustrators.

• Please note that this threshold is based on the number of participating illustrators, not the total number of illustrations submitted, as each illustrator may enter multiple pieces.

• If fewer than 10 illustrators submit, the category may be deferred for that awards year due to insufficient participation.

Short films, commercials, music videos, and individual episodes of a web series under 15 minutes will be considered a Short Form Design entry. If a film or an episode of a web series has a running time of over 15 minutes, it will be considered in the appropriate film or television category. Multiple commercials made for the same product or business by the same costume designer may not be entered more than once. Commercials and music videos longer than 15 minutes will be evaluated on a case-by case basis.

• If the project is union and falls within Local 892 jurisdiction, the costume designer must be credited and compensated in accordance with the Local 892 collective bargaining agreement, and proper documentation with proof of payment of these details must be provided for the project to qualify. Any discrepancies with union payment requirements may lead to the disqualification of the entry.

• If the project falls outside of Local 892 jurisdiction, but within IATSE jurisdiction, the costume designer must be credited and compensated in accordance with the applicable IATSE collective bargaining agreement, and proper documentation of these details must be provided for the project to qualify.

• Social media content creator projects are ineligible. Short film fan films, student films, grants/fellowship or crowdfunded projects or a program that is self-published (programming without financial or creative involvement from a network or studio) are ineligible.

• Accepted Credits for this Short Form Design category are “Costumes designed by,” “Costumes by,” “Costume Designer,” or “Stylist (if a non-union production).”

• Unaccepted credits include titles such as Fashion Consultant, Design or Costume Consultant, Fashion Director, Fashion Designer, Wardrobe Designer, Costume Digital Designer, Producer, AI Stylist, and similar roles.

Submissions open on September 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and close on October 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

When entering info: No “all caps” please. The proper casing is appreciated! Titles with “A or The” should be placed at the end of the title separated by a comma. All entries with these placed at the beginning will be corrected to uniform an A-Z listing. Example: “Lone Ranger, The”, “River Runs Through It, A”.

Submitter note: After completing your entry and attaching all required documentation, you must click SUBMIT to finalize your submissions. If you are submitting on behalf of the costume designer or studio, you may add two (2) additional email recipients to receive an email confirmation. You will receive your own confirmation as well. If you do not receive a confirmation email following your submission, please email the CDG Awards Team at (awards@cdgia.com).

All submissions that include any film, tape recording, screenshot, photography, or supplemental printed material that is furnished to the CDG by or on behalf of the costume designer may be retained by the CDG for file, reference and archival purposes and may be viewed partially or in its entirety for judging purposes. All of or portions (i.e. “clips”) from any such film, tape recording, screenshot, photography or supplemental printed material may be used on or in connection with the presentation and/or broadcast and/or other exhibition and/or promotion of any CDG Awards Ceremony, including but not limited to any internet exhibition of such films, tape recordings, screenshots or clips from the same and/or supplemental printed material and use in connection with promotional announcements or other promotional activities for any of the foregoing; use of such films, tape recordings, screenshots or clips from the same and/or photography or supplemental printed material may involve use of other parties’ name, voice and likeness rights, and such rights shall be subject to clearance by or with the assistance of the costume designer or studio, as the CDG may direct, and the costume designer and studio indemnifies the CDG any claim of unauthorized or unlicensed use of any material.

*CATEGORY DISCREPANCIES

In some instances, costumes may cross over or exhibit multiple genres. These projects will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Costume designers are invited to share their intent in a written petition to the Awards Balloting Committee via email (awards@cdgia.com), as well as to share any materials they can provide to determine the appropriate category. A final decision will be made following a review by the Awards Balloting Committee.

Only active CDG members in good standing will be eligible to vote in the nomination and final round. Quid pro quo and block voting are considered by the CDG to be in violation of the spirit and substance of the member code of conduct clause that deems any action or activity which could reasonably be construed as contrary or detrimental to the best interests of the CDG to be a violation of the code. The intent of quid pro quo and block voting is to illegitimately advance an entry to a nomination or a nomination to a win. CDG award voting is meant to reflect an individual voter’s opinion rather than an ad-hoc group’s mandate.

Any events featuring nominees must be cleared with the CDGA Executive Producer prior to scheduling.awards@cdgia.com

A.) For Your Consideration (FYC) requests:

To campaign for the nomination or final ballot, there is an option to purchase a CDG FYC E-Blast directly.

Please note that our organization does not handle/process payments or E-Blast purchases directly. An FYC request may be sent to cdg@cdgia.com, and we will provide the link for processing once we have verified the related submission entry or nomination.

CDG Non-Member FYC E-Blast Price: $3,000

Guidelines:

• • The E-Blast will be sent to the entire CDG voting membership.
  • Payment must be made directly to the platform by an individual or Studio, TV Network, or third party. No invoicing is available.
  • Submit a Hi-Resolution JPEG (300 dpi) meeting the following specifications:
    • Max width: 800 pixels
    • Max height: 1100 pixels
  • Include a Click-Thru URL:
    • Only one link can be included in the email.

Timeline:

• • • E-Blasts will be sent within 3-5 business days of content submission unless a future delivery date is requested.
    • A 48-hour turnaround is mandatory. Please allow additional time for content approval (in case of edits).
    • To ensure timely delivery, we recommend submitting content at least 5 business days in advance.

Scheduling Limitations:

• • • We have a daily limit of 4-5 E-Blasts sent to members. As a result, requested delivery dates may need to be adjusted to balance the schedule.

B.) Voting Schedule:

Nomination Ballots:
Friday, November 28, 2025: Nomination Ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT
Friday, December 5, 2025: Nomination Ballots voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

Announcements:
Friday, December 12, 2025: Official Announcement of Nominees

Final Ballots:
Wednesday, January 14, 2025: Final Ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Final Ballot voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

All nominated teams (costume designer and all ACDs) will be recognized and acknowledged in the awards program magazine. Because there are often changes in the rosters of nominees, all costume designers of record will be posted on social media and the CDG website. Only confirmed eligible ACDs will be noted on the CDG website.

A.) Award Statuettes:

The winning costume designer(s) in each applicable category will receive a statuette and be listed on the CDG website and Instagram. Only the eligible CDG-member ACD(s) on winning teams in each applicable category will receive an award statuette and be recognized on the CDG website and Instagram. The winning costume illustrator in the Excellence in Costume Illustration category will also receive a statuette and be listed on the CDG website and Instagram.

All winners eligible for an award statuette are responsible for collecting their statuettes. If you are not attending the ceremony, you or your studio must arrange for pickup or shipping within 30 days, covering any associated costs. Please note that CDG is not responsible for delivering, shipping, or storing the award statuette.

B.) Certificates:

Award certificates will be available only by request for nominated or winning teams. The costume designer will be responsible for requesting certificates for their teams and associated fees, unless covered by the studio. If you would like to receive a certificate, please enter your request within the designated entry period. If we do not receive a request, no certificate will be issued. Certificate errors are non-refundable.

C.) CDGA28 Ceremony Tickets – February 5, 2026

All nominees (costume designers, eligible ACDs, and illustrators) will receive complimentary admission and VIP-seated ticketing to the awards presentation and post-award gala, for their own individual use and non-transferrable.

Nominee guest tickets:

There are no complimentary VIP guest tickets for nominees. A nominee’s guest ticket may be purchased by the nominee or studio at the VIP rate to be seated with the nominee.

CDG member tickets:

Member tickets will be available at a discounted rate from the general admission rate. An active CDG member, in good standing, may purchase up to two tickets at this rate and the guest must accompany the CDG member. A stand-alone ticket purchase must be used by the CDG member and not purchased for someone outside the CDG, such as a member of another union. A CDG nominee may not purchase a ticket at the CDG rate for their guest to be seated in the VIP nominee section.

IATSE-member tickets, General Admission and VIP tickets will be also be available.

If at any time during the CDG awards process, you feel your project or situation, is not allowed under the rules, the costume designer, illustrator, or ACD may submit a petition to the Awards Balloting Committee via email (awards@cdgia.com) for a determination. The Committee has sole discretion to make the final decision.