Frequently Asked Questions

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Entering
Entry Fees
Eligibility
What’s New?

Entering

What is the deadline for entries?

There are 3 main Entry deadlines this year:

EARLY BIRD: Wednesday 31 December 2025, 23:59h
REGULAR: Monday 9 February 2026, 23:59h
EXTENDED & FINAL: Friday 20 February 2026, 23:59h

Where can I find the Entry Guide?

Right here! To view the complete Entry Guide, click here

Where can I find the Terms & Conditions?

Again: right here! To view the complete terms & conditions, click here

Can I start an Entry and finish it later?

Yes you can. Just log in / or create an account and start your entry. Answer as many questions as possible and hit save whenever you feel ready to leave.
As long as the Extended and Final deadline has not hit yet, you can always log in again to edit or add text and files (yes, even after submitting).

How often can I enter the same project?

You may enter the same project into a maximum of 8 Categories (across the Advertising, Design, Craft & Next disciplines).

Are physical entries accepted?

They sure are! Certain categories give you the possibility of mailing physical entry materials. Please have a look at the category descriptions to see which allows physical material.

Entry Fees

How much does it cost to enter?

There is a fee for each entry that you submit. These fees vary per Discipline and sometimes per Category.
To view a summary of all fees, click here.

Can I get a discount?

That depends... we offer 50% off for all freelancers and small companies on selected categories.

You can use one of the following discount codes when checking out:
• Freelance Creative Professionals CODE: FREELANCE2026
• Small Company (max 3 people) CODE: SMALL2026

Where can I find ADCN’s bank details?

Here! They are ADCN via ABN AMRO, IBAN NL40 ABNA 0544 7403 94.
This will also be indicated on your invoice.

Where do my entry fees go?

As a non-profit organization, ADCN uses all of its surplus revenues to invest in the development of creative professionals and Dutch creativity through the awards and year-round (member) programs.

Eligibility

Who can Enter?

Anybody with great ideas can enter. We‘re sure you can always find a category that fits you.

Please note; organizations and individuals (of any nationality) must be registered in the Netherlands and/or individuals with Dutch nationality working/living outside the Netherlands are eligible to enter. If you are a student, you have to be studying in the Netherlands. You do not need to be a Member of ADCN to enter.

Can two organizations enter the same work?

Two different entrants cannot enter the same work in the same category.
In case two different entrants want to enter the same work in different categories, please take care that the number of times the work is submitted in total does not exceed 8. In case of duplicate entries, we will only accept the entry that was paid first.

I’m the client / brand, can I also enter work?

Yes, clients and commissioners can enter work created or executed for them either internally or by an external agency (as long as it has not been entered by the external agency in the same category).

Can I enter work that was my own initiative, without a client brief?

Yes you can! But not in all categories.

Self-initiated, non-commercial or non-commissioned work can be entered in the categories Social Design, Podcasting, Talent, Innovation, Impact and Craft / Ideas Beyond Advertising.

It is excluded from entry in any of the other categories. For more info, please refer to category descriptions.

What counts as ‘Dutch’ Creativity?

We define Dutch Creativity as work created by:

– Organisations or individuals (of any nationality) registered in the Netherlands.

– Individuals with Dutch nationality living/working outside the Netherlands, if they were responsible for the idea (Advertising categories) or execution (Craft & Design categories).

– Collaborations between Dutch and international teams, as long as:

At least 50% of the credited people responsible for the work are based in the Netherlands or have Dutch nationality, AND The submitting entrant is registered in the Netherlands

WHAT’S NEW?

Craft Beyond Advertising

This category is for the love of making. It celebrates pure craft and artistry – from products and music videos to passion projects that simply had to be made and not for commercial purposes. It’s not about clients, it’s about creativity for its own sake: expression, originality, and excellence in execution.

Each entry sits within an existing craft or design category. For example:

you have created a spectacular music video and want to be awarded for the direction, you enter it in Next > Craft Beyond Advertising > Film Direct.
The regular Craft – Film Direction category is reserved for films made for commercial purpose or brands.

Ideas Beyond Advertising

Formerly Passion Project. This category celebrates ideas that exist simply because they should — not because someone paid for them. It’s creativity driven by curiosity, not commerce.

Each entry sits within an existing advertising category. For example:

You have created a new brand strategy for your own company and want to be awarded for this strategy, you enter it in Next > Ideas Beyond Advertising > Strategy.

Outstanding Achievement in Production

Because great ideas don’t make themselves. This category honours the producers, makers and teams who turn vision into reality with craft, courage, and a touch of magic.