Baku Flames International Festival of Creativity and Effectiveness 2026 - Awards Rules and Participation Terms
Purpose of the Awards
The Baku Flames International Festival of Creativity and Effectiveness celebrates creativity in advertising and marketing. Its main goal is to recognize and reward the best creative projects that have made an impact in the industry.
The festival highlights how creativity can drive business growth, connect brands with audiences, and create positive change. It aims to provide a platform for talented professionals and companies to showcase their work, inspire others, and contribute to the development of the creative industry.
Who Can Participate?
The Baku Flames awards are open to all professionals involved in advertising, media, production, PR, design, digital, mobile, and social media marketing industries. Submissions can be made by agencies, production companies, media companies, design agencies, healthcare communication companies, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and individual creators. Additionally, advertisers can also participate.
All participants must comply with the rules of Baku Flames International Festival of Creativity and Effectiveness when submitting their projects.
Evaluation Methodology
At Baku Flames, submissions will be reviewed by a jury of industry professionals, who will evaluate each project based on the following key criteria:
- Strategy: How strong and applicable was the strategy that led to the project's execution?
- Creativity: How original and innovative is the idea? Does it capture attention and engage the audience?
- Execution: How well has the idea been implemented? Are the media platforms and techniques used effective?
- Results: How well did the project achieve its goals? What impact did it have?
Projects will be evaluated in the exact form they were published or aired. The jury will assess the entries digitally and will select those that meet the criteria for the shortlist.
Evaluation Criteria
1. Core Categories: Advertising Campaigns, Film, Film Craft, Outdoor, Print & Publishing
- Strategy (30%): The strength of the insight behind the creative idea and the strategy developed within that framework. How effectively was the strategy aligned with the project’s objectives?
- Creativity (30%): The originality and innovation of the creative solution. How well does the idea capture attention and engage the audience?
- Execution (20%): The quality of the production and implementation of the idea. How effectively was the chosen medium/platform used?
- Results (20%): How well did the project achieve its goals? What measurable impact did it have on the brand, audience, or business?
2. Design Excellence Categories: Branding, Design, Design Craft
- Strategy (25%): The strength of the insight behind the creative strategy and how well it reflects the brand’s identity and message.
- Creativity (35%): The originality and innovation of the design. How well does the design stand out and capture the essence of the brand?
- Execution (20%): The quality of the design implementation and how well it translates into the final product.
- Results (20%): The impact of the design on the brand’s perception and its effectiveness in achieving the brand’s objectives.
3. Connect & Engage Categories: Digital & Mobile, Media, PR
- Strategy (25%): How well thought-out and effective was the strategy in engaging the target audience? Did the strategy leverage digital and mobile platforms or media channels effectively?
- Creativity (35%): The creativity and originality in engaging the audience. How innovative were the methods used to capture attention?
- Execution (20%): The implementation of the strategy, focusing on how well the media, digital, or mobile tools were applied.
- Results (20%): How successful was the engagement campaign in meeting its objectives? What measurable outcomes were achieved?
4. Effective Change Categories: Creative Strategy, Green Flame (SDG Special Award), Industry Effectiveness, Sustainable Development Goals
- Strategy (20%): The strength and applicability of the creative strategy in addressing the project's goals. How well was the strategy tailored to make a positive impact?
- Creativity (25%): How innovative and original was the approach to creating change or solving a problem? Was the solution groundbreaking?
- Execution (25%): How effectively was the strategy executed? How well did the project contribute to sustainable change or industry effectiveness?
- Results (30%): The measurable impact of the project on society or the industry. How sustainable are the results, and what long-term change was achieved?
Participation Terms
Submissions must be made during the designated submission period. Only completed and published projects are eligible for submission; concept projects and projects that have not been launched will not be accepted. All submissions must be in English and videos must include English subtitles. Submissions can be made in multiple categories, but no project can be submitted by more than one party (e.g., either the agency or the production company can submit a project, but not both).
Payment
Submission fees must be paid prior to submission. Payments must be made via the festival’s online payment platform. Failure to pay the entry fee will render the submission invalid. Payments must be received by April 10, 2026.
Refund Policy
Submissions cannot be cancelled after February 20, 2026, and no refunds will be issued. If a submission is withdrawn, it must be done in writing to the festival's email addresses.
Optional Promotional Materials
The festival organizers may use submitted materials for promotional purposes. These materials may be published on the Baku Flames website, social media platforms, and in festival promotional materials. By submitting entries, participants grant permission for their projects to be used in this way.
Submission and Contact
For any questions regarding the submission process or to withdraw an entry, please contact the festival support team. The contact email is [email protected].
