Directors' Choice

Each submission entered into the TC/RHDF Competition is automatically considered for the Director’s Choice (DC) award.

The staff of Third Coast listens to every submission entered into the Competition each year, and reserves the Directors’ Choice category to shine a light on an exceptional audio story that belongs in the year’s cohort of winners. We might be biased, but this is our favorite award! It's an incredible opportunity to share our values as judges ourselves, who have also listened to every single entry in the Competition.

Please note: The 2022-23 Call for Entries closed on March 10, 2023.


For Entrants: the 2023-24 Call for Entries is launching soon!

The week of December 4, 2023, we'll open up our 2023-24 Call for Entries, a unique dialogue between Third Coast and the diverse communities of people making this work around the world.

Everyone, everywhere, is invited to enter audio works across formats & in any language. Our goal is to create a different kind of backbone for the industry – inciting dialogue, experimentation, and new critical new opportunities in audio. This year, that will include offerings like: more Award-Winners & Finalists than ever before, an expanded Feedback Initiative, new discounts for self-funded entrants, and more new programs from Third Coast spotlighting outstanding makers from the field.

We'll be updating all Competition-related pages for the 2023-24 Call for Entries launch, including this one. For now, feel free to read through the Directors' Choice category page from the 2022-23 Competition Cycle. Make sure to also check out the Third Coast/RHDF Competition Showcase, featuring our 2022-23 Winners, Finalists & Judges.)


Background

We’re biased, but Directors’ Choice is our favorite category! There is one Award-Winner in this category, honored with a cash prize, unique physical award, and recognition around the world, including a public showcase of comments from the judges (the listening staff at Third Coast!) We now offer a list of Third Coast Finalists in this category, announced alongside Award-Winners. Learn more about all of our Competition Offerings, and share your input to help us expand them in the future.


Directors' Choice FAQ

How do I enter the Directors’ Choice category?

  • All entries submitted to the Competition are automatically considered for Directors’ Choice.

Previous Winners


Interested in hearing pieces that have won this category in prior years? Click on the play button button next to some of our most recent winners below.


Espera / Wait

Two lovers share an intimate conversation on the eve of their breakup, exploring loneliness and intimacy.