Voting Opens & New Categories announced for the JAMESON EMPIRE AWARDS 2016

AWARDS CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE SUNDAY MARCH 20, 2016

Empire is thrilled to announce that voting is now open for the Jameson Empire Awards 2016, which are set to be the biggest yet with the introduction of 11 new categories spanning film, television and gaming.

In a move introduced by new Empire Editor-In-Chief Terri White, the 2016 awards will recognise achievements across the ever-expanding world of cinematic entertainment, as White explains: “The cinematic world has never been bigger, or more accessible, for the Empire audience. The world is consuming more ‘screen’ entertainment across more genres, more platforms and more devices than ever before. As the world’s biggest film and entertainment brand, we wanted to reflect the growing importance of TV and gaming alongside our heartland of film.”

As ever, the 21st annual awards will be voted for by the people, with film and entertainment fans across the world invited to cast their votes, making the Jameson Empire Awards a unique event ranking alongside other major awards ceremonies and falling hard on the heels of the OSCARS® and BAFTAs, with winners to be announced during a star-studded ceremony on Sunday March 20.

In addition to longstanding categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best British Film and Jameson Best Actor, nine of the 11 new categories will recognise the full spectrum of filmmaking, with new awards including: Best Screenplay; Best Animated Film; Best Documentary; Best Soundtrack; Best Costume Design; Best Make-Up And Hairstyling; Best Visual Effects; Best Short Film presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Best Production Design. Additional new categories are Best TV Series and Best Video Game, reflecting the broad tastes of Empire readers and all entertainment consumers.

Winners from all the new categories will be announced at the awards ceremony with the Best TV Series award being presented on stage along with all the longstanding awards. Further special awards will be announced in due course, including the annual Empire Legend award whose previous recipients have included Ralph Fiennes, Tom Cruise and Helen Mirren. Please see the full list of categories below.

The Jameson Empire Awards are chosen exclusively by the public and annually acknowledge a diverse mix of films, actors and filmmaking talent. This has been a stellar year for film and entertainment, and expect to see Spectre and Star Wars: The Force Awakens taking on Jurassic World, Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Suffragette for the Best Film gong. The female actors categories are expected to be especially strong, with new talent such as Daisy Ridley, Amy Schumer and Brie Larson impressing alongside established figures including Carey Mulligan, Jennifer Lawrence and Cate Blanchett. Voters can choose from films released in the period January 31, 2015 – January 31, 2016 and TV series and games transmitting/debuting in the same period.

With so many big movies, TV shows and talent in contention, the Jameson Empire Awards are sure to attract the biggest names in entertainment to the awards ceremony on March 20. A highlight of the annual film awards calendar, the evening was described by 2014 award-winner Tom Cruise as “relaxed, fun and funny”, with last year’s winners, presenters and guests including: Christopher Nolan; Jessica Chastain; Ralph Fiennes; Liam Neeson; Henry Cavill; Andy Serkis; Peter Capaldi; James McAvoy; Daniel Radcliffe; Hayley Atwell; Jason Isaacs; Gemma Chan; Mark Strong; Olga Kurylenko; Simon Pegg; Kit Harington; Karen Gillan; Ben Wheatley; Ian Hislop and Edith Bowman.

Jameson Empire Done in Sixty Seconds is a short film competition, which sees filmmakers pitting their entries against contestants worldwide, challenges entrants to re-make their favourite movie in just 60 seconds. The competition is open to people of all abilities; whether you’re an animator with a passion for Claymation, an action junkie with a love of budget special effects, or even a first-time director shooting your film on a smartphone, the Done in 60 Seconds competition is open to everyone with a passion for filmmaking.

Jameson Irish Whiskey has partnered with Empire magazine for the Jameson Empire Awards and the Done In 60 Seconds competition for the last seven years. Jameson has been involved in film since 1998, and today it is involved in festivals and events around the world which celebrate the passion and craft of filmmaking.

Terri White concludes: "This year’s Jameson Empire Awards will be the most exciting, ambitious and buzzed-about in years. We can’t wait to once again see some of the biggest names in Hollywood come together in an event that is considered one of the highlights of the awards calendar.”

To see the full list of categories and make your nominations, pick up the *new* January issue of Empire magazine or visit. The final shortlist will be announced on Thursday February 18 upon which the public will vote for the final winners.

Full list of Jameson Empire Award 2016 voted for categories:

• Best Male Newcomer
• Best Female Newcomer
• Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Best Horror
• Best Comedy presented by Absolute Radio
• Best Thriller presented by Corinthia Hotel London
• Best British Film
• Best Actress
• Jameson Best Actor
• Best Director
• Best Film
• Best Screenplay
• Best Animated Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Soundtrack
• Best Costume Design
• Best Make-Up And Hairstyling
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Short Film presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Best Production Design
• Best TV Series
• Best Video Game

About Empire
Empire (m) – 144,653 (print + digital)
Empire dominates the film market, outselling its nearest competitor by over two to one. 2015 has seen the introduction of a new vision for the brand, expanding its breadth of content to cover every cinematic form from movies and TV to streaming and mobile. Connecting with three million fans across its multiple touchpoints, Empire continues to deliver compelling entertainment content and unique creative cover treatments with world-first reveals for films such as Spectre, Jurassic World, Terminator Genisys and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

About Bauer Media
Bauer Media UK reaches over 22 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, Kiss, Grazia, Empire, Magic and Absolute Radio. It creates and curates entertaining media content that audiences love whenever, wherever and however they want through a multi-channel strategy and a focus on product excellence and audience insight. The result is an exciting array of influential brands, content and talent which provide compelling and engaging advertising opportunities with valuable audiences for UK commercial partners. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.

About Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson Irish Whiskey is the world’s No. 1-selling Irish whiskey. The success of the Irish brand is down to its great quality and smooth taste, coupled with a fantastic heritage, established in 1780 by the legendary John Jameson. Having played a part in film since 1998, today Jameson is involved with film festivals and events that celebrate the passion and craft of filmmaking including Jameson Cult Film Club, the Jameson Empire Done In 60 Seconds competition, the Jameson Empire Awards and Jameson First Shot, a short film competition run in partnership with Kevin Spacey and Trigger Street Productions.