Sharks Awards

The awards are now into their 48th year. Leading Creative Directors, Producers, Commercial Directors and a host of international agencies attend the festival. This is a high profile showcase for the advertising industry internationally. Set in the spectacular coastal town of Kinsale, Ireland in a beautifully relaxed environment, which is uniquely Irish in its hospitality. Steeped in medieval history, Kinsale is Ireland’s fine food capital flavoured with Norman, Spanish and English influence over the centuries. A renowned panel of international judges congregate, ready to recognise and reward the best creative commercials of the year. The festival is renowned for also hosting speaker events ‘with a difference’. Our speakers can come from any discipline but must meet the criteria of having been gifted with an incredibly creative mind. These events exceed full capacity.

Purity

Every entry into this prestigious international advertising festival is judged by an 8 member jury panel to ensure a consistent standard of creative excellence on every single Shark Award. This is a unique position for the festival. Our prestigious Grand Prix Shark Award and Agency of the Year Shark Award are therefore a true representation of the very best of the years creative standards.

Integrity

Our jury ethos is to ensure our jury panel consists of creative people who are currently responsible for leading creative work throughout the world. The festival is also dedicated to rewarding creative ideas and will only open cateogries where excellent ideas can be found and celebrated. Our philosophy is to host a festival that puts creativity first. We will not open categories just to create additional revenue streams.

Intimacy

The festival is commited to creating an environment where delegates at all levels get the chance to meet each other and the jury in the small but stunning town of Kinsale. The festival therefore places a limit on delegate numbers to make sure that this sense of intimacy remains. A ‘meet the jury’ event is also held during the festival.