Hello and welcome, one and all! Zach "MindGame" Macias and I are proud to present the nominees for the 2015 Bricks in Motion Awards! This is an annual awards event that recognizes and celebrates excellence in brickfilming in a wide variety of categories and disciplines. Think like the Oscars for brickfilms.

Our panel of judges have sorted through a year’s worth of films and voted on them in 11 individual categories until a final list of 5 nominees was agreed upon for each category. Very soon, we will be sending out the final ballots, and once those votes are tallied and winners chosen, they will be announced via a live awards show in the Bricks in Motion IRC Chat (more details on that later).

The films you see in the categories below are listed in alphabetical order, and without any bias or favoring whatsoever. Judges and organizers agreed to disqualify any films they have made in the last calendar year from awards contention, so as to make judging as fair as possible. Films eligible for awards consideration need not have been made public on the Bricks in Motion Releases forum (a rule change from years past), but must have been released online within the 2015 year.

Our nomination panelists for the 2015 year are:
MindGame
NathanWells
sillypenta
Squash
JonnDThunder
Dewfilms

And now with that out of the way, let’s get on to what you’ve all been waiting for! Here are your nominees for this year’s Bricks in Motion Awards!

This is awarded to a brickfilm of exceptional quality in all aspects. It is thoroughly enjoyed by many and takes a creative approach to the filmmaking process and design. Simply put, it is the "Best Film" of the Year.

• Beyond - Markus Engel and Dominik G.

• Beyond the Eleventh Dimension - Chris Boyer

• A Fixed System - Aaron Fisher

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 1 -  Thomas Evans

• Sola Luna - Rioforce

This award is presented to a film that utilizes animation very well. The film demonstrates smooth and fluid animation that is highly realistic, creative, and/or innovative, as part of one of the most important parts of stop motion films. Note that different film styles require different animation styles when you are nominating a film.

• A Fixed System - Aaron Fisher

• Jungle Adventure - Pablo Llorens

• LEGO Adventure in the City - Rogier Wieland

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 1 -  Thomas Evans

• Paint - Jon Rolph

This award is given to a film that has an excellent script and storyline. The idea and outline is presented very well, has great plot, and exceptional dialogue and actions.

• Behind the Door - Mathieu Blangy

• Ella’s Tale - Harrison Allen

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 3 - Thomas Evans

• Mariana - Michael Tourette

• The Ocean Eleven - Far and Away Futures Productions

The composition of the frames in the films are done very well, and demonstrates the directors ability to place characters, lights, and the camera well in order to make the film more interesting and visually appealing.

• Beyond - Markus Engel and Dominik G.

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 3 - Thomas Evans

• The Long Way Home - Isaac Cochrane

• Retribution - Neal Tovstiga

• The Tree - Trevor Sprague

This is awarded to a film that best exemplifies a harmonious arrangement of both visuals and sound, how they're assembled to advance the narrative, as well as create an effective sense of pacing and timing.

• Beyond - Markus Engel and Dominik G.

• The Latecomer - Paul and Jules Arruego

• Lego Captain America 3: Nazi Zombies - Forrest Whaley

• Retribution - Neal Tovstiga

• Why We Love Disaster News - James Morr and Tommy Williamson

This is awarded to a film that uses sets and characters to enhance the overall enjoyment and set the proper tone for the film.

• Batman vs. Superman 2: Dawn of Just Desserts - Dane Erland

• Beyond the Eleventh Dimension - Chris Boyer

• LEGO Adventure in the City - Rogier Wieland

• Paragraph - Steffen Troeger

• Why We Love Disaster News - James Morr and Tommy Williamson

This is awarded to a film that uses sound and music to enhance the presentation with great success. The sound compliments the film and is pleasing when heard, with excellent composition and placement.

• Beyond - Markus Engel and Dominik G.

• Experience and Error - Nate Swihart

• iWater - Steffen Troeger

• Lego Captain America 3: Nazi Zombies - Forrest Whaley

• Sola Luna - Rioforce

This award is presented to a film with outstanding effects work, whether achieved in-camera or with software in post-production. The effects complement the film, rather than distract from the experience.

• Beyond - Markus Engel and Dominik G.

• iWater - Steffen Troeger

• Lego Captain America 3: Nazi Zombies - Forrest Whaley

• Protectors of the Earth - Jonas Leonard

• What Does LEGO Mean to You? The Infinite Brickmaster - Dylan Woodley

This award is presented to the film with an excellent original score. The score fits with the films setting and enriches the viewing experience with great sound and presentation.

• Beyond - Dominik G.

• A Fixed System - Nathan Larsen

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 2 - Andy Stein

• Protectors of the Earth - Daniel Schmitz

• Sola Luna - Guy Commanderson

This award is presented to an individual who voice acts a character with great success, originality, and realism. The performance is believable, and adds to the enjoyment of the film.

• Grief’s Restitution - Jay Silver (Chase)

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 2 - Andy Stein (Steve)

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 3 - Christopher Salaises (Niko)

• Mach None - Aaron Bulger (Mach)

• Subterranean - Megan Mason (Greer)

This is awarded to the whole voice acting cast of a film, and recognizes the performance of all the actors. The performances are all very well done, and support the film throughout.

• Ashes, Ashes

• iWater

• LEGO Jurassic Park

• LEGO Minecraft: Creepers Part 3

• Protectors of the Earth

Nominee Tallies
Beyond - 6 Nominations

LEGO Minecraft Creepers Part 3 - 4 Nominations

A Fixed System - 3 Nominations
iWater - 3 Nominations
LEGO Captain America 3: Nazi Zombies - 3 Nominations
Protectors of the Earth - 3 Nominations
Sola Luna - 3 Nominations

Beyond the Eleventh Dimension - 2 Nominations
LEGO Adventure in the City - 2 Nominations
LEGO Minecraft Creepers Part 1 - 2 Nominations
LEGO Minecraft Creepers Part 2 - 2 Nominations
Retribution - 2 Nominations
Why We Love Disaster News - 2 Nominations

Ashes, Ashes - 1 Nomination
Batman vs. Superman 2: Dawn of Just Desserts - 1 Nomination
Behind the Door - 1 Nomination
Ella's Tale - 1 Nomination
Experience and Error - 1 Nomination
Grief's Restitution - 1 Nomination
Jungle Adventure - 1 Nomination
The Latecomer - 1 Nomination
LEGO Jurassic Park - 1 Nomination
The Long Way Home - 1 Nomination
Mach None - 1 Nomination
Mariana - 1 Nomination
The Ocean Eleven - 1 Nomination
Paint - 1 Nomination
Paragraph - 1 Nomination
Subterranean - 1 Nomination
The Tree - 1 Nomination
What Does LEGO Mean to You? The Infinite Brickmaster - 1 Nomination

Congratulations to the 31 films recognized in this year’s nominee list, a nicely sizable crop of quality films from last year, and an extra big congratulations to our Best Film nominees! Best of luck to all of you!

More info on the awards chat TBA.

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