CrimeCon opens submissions for 2025 Clue Awards

Submissions are now open for the 2025 CLUE Awards, the premiere awards show celebrating excellence and responsible storytelling in true crime content, across television, film, podcasts and publishing. Hosted by CrimeCon, the world’s largest event for genre consumers, crime experts and professionals, the fourth CLUE Awards will take place Saturday, September 6 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, during CrimeCon’s annual, three-day flagship event.

Each year, CrimeCon attracts thousands of people from across the globe – in 2024, 6,000+ attended, hailing from all 50 states and multiple countries – connecting true crime devotees,creators and professionals for an immersive weekend centered around education, understanding and advocacy.

CLUE’s 2024 honorees included, among others, Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld (Netflix), Me Hereafter(Hulu) and The Murdaugh Murders: Inside the Investigation (NBC). Meanwhile, recipients for 2024’s individual achievement awards included, America’s Most Wanted host and victims’ rights activist John Walsh (“Crimefighter of the Year”) and A Date with Dateline hosts Kimberly Arnold and Katie Mitchell (“People’s Choice: Creator of the Year”).

In addition to CLUE’s returning categories – across unscripted/documentary television and film, podcasting and publishing – the program has added its first-ever scripted category for the 2025 event: “Television: Scripted Series.” This category will spotlight exceptional scripted series that encompass themes of crime and/or mystery, while meeting the overarching awards criteria.

CLUE submissions will be accepted at a discounted rate through the early deadline on May 16. The regular submission deadline is June 20, with late submissions accepted until June 30 – full awards timeline follows below.

CLUE nominees and winners are determined by an independent committee of world-class industry professionals, including producers, network and streaming executives, and other creatives, representing all sectors of the true crime genre. The 2024 committee included high-level executives and acclaimed creatives from companies including NBCU, Wondery, Simon & Schuster, Investigation Discovery, Campfire Studios, National Center for Victims of Crime and Law&Crime Network, among others.

In addition to the individual achievement awards, the 2025 CLUE Awards will honor projects in each of the following categories:

• Television: “Outstanding Episodic Series”
• Television: “Outstanding Docuseries”
• Television: “Scripted Series”
• Podcasting: “Outstanding Episodic Series”
• Podcasting: “Outstanding Docuseries”
• “Outstanding Documentary Film”
• “True Crime Book of the Year”

The timeline for the 2025 CLUE Awards is as follows:

• Submissions Open: March 31, 2025

• Deadline for Early Submissions: May 16, 2025

• Deadline for Regular Submissions: June 20, 2025

• Deadline for Final Submissions: June 30, 2025

• Nominations Announced: July-August 2025

• CrimeCon CLUE Awards Ceremony at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center: Saturday, September 6, 2025

• Tickets and tables available for purchase HERE

Eligible projects must have premiered in the following window: April 1, 2024 – May 30, 2025. Projects must be available in the United States. All submission guidelines, eligibility criteria and entry fees can be found HERE.

About CrimeCon

CrimeCon is an immersive three-day experience for true crime fans, creators and leading industry professionals. Since its launch in 2017, CrimeCon has connected thousands of true crime enthusiasts with the mysteries, cases and issues that intrigue them. With a heavy focus on education, CrimeCon features speakers, panels, breakout sessions, hands-on experiences and more, allowing fans to completely delve into the world of true crime. Created by fans, for fans, CrimeCon brings together the true crime community for a weekend filled with learning, understanding and advocacy. The event is produced by Red Seat Ventures, a digital media company based in New York City. For more information, visit www.CrimeCon.com.