Since 1950, the Hillman Foundation has illuminated some of our time’s great issues by awarding Sidney prizes to contributors to the daily press and to the periodical and labor presses as well as to authors and broadcasters. The search for a basis of lasting peace, the need for better housing, medical care and employment security for all people, the promotion of civil liberties, democracy and the fight against discrimination based on race, religion or nationality are among the many subjects addressed by our winners.
Each month a journalist is awarded the Sidney prize for an outstanding piece of journalism that exposes social and economic injustice. The winner is presented with a $2,000 honorarium and a certificate. In addition to our cash prizes, all winners are eligible for merchandise prizes including a mesmeric swirl trophy designed and handmade by Overland’s partners Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy.
This year’s prize has been awarded to the Black Lives Matter movement for their work in advocating for human rights, non-violence and peaceful protests around the world. The movement was founded in the United States by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi after George Zimmerman’s acquittal for the murder of Trayvon Martin.
All Sydney Prize entries are judged on their originality (specifically, their ability to shed new light on the nominated subject) and on their writing quality. The judges reserve the right to not award the prize if they feel no entry meets the required standards.
We encourage you to nominate the best pieces of journalism that have appeared in the previous month, in print or online. Deadlines for nominations are the last day of each month. The judges will select a shortlist of eight entries and choose a winner from this group. Two runners-up will also be chosen and all shortlisted works will appear in Overland’s autumn 2024 issue.
In addition to the overall prize money, each category offers a number of runner-up and special prizes. Click on the ‘Prizes’ tab above to see all of the available awards, including a detailed breakdown of prize money per player in each section.
Prizes are donated by sponsors and supporters of the Sydney Film Festival and are awarded on the basis of a panel of expert judges. In some categories, special awards are given to the best film in a particular category, or to films that have made an exceptional contribution to Australian cinema. In these cases, the decision of the panel will be final. All prizes and medals are offered by the University of Sydney and are subject to the Terms and Conditions (pdf, 2KB). The full list of rules can be found here. Prizes not redeemed within three months will be forfeited and reinvested into promoting chess in Sydney. Rating prizes are based on ACF ratings and may be shared between players. Rating prizes are capped at 6 players in each section. Non-rated players are ineligible for rated prizes. Please check the ACF website for more information about how to become a member of the ACF and to apply for an ACF rating.