Amazon Music and Wondery are once again supporting the Pay What You Can scheme for this year’s Audio Production Awards.
The scheme, run by AudioUK, offers free or discounted entry to the awards and ceremony for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise.
Now in its fifteenth year, the APAs celebrate audio production across podcasting, audiobooks, sound design, presenting, and more. Organised by AudioUK and sponsored by Audible, the awards span 23 categories, including Comedy, Drama, True Crime, Arts, and Music.
Three new categories are being introduced this year: True Crime, Branded Content, and the Changemaker Award, which recognises people or organisations making a real difference in the sector.
The Little Ears category, which debuted last year to honour content made for younger audiences, will return and will again be judged by children themselves.
Another key change for this year is that most categories will now be open to individuals as well as teams, reflecting the often collaborative nature of audio production.
The Pay What You Can scheme was launched in 2021 and has continued to offer a route into the awards for those facing financial barriers.
Chloe Straw from AudioUK said the partnership with Amazon Music and Wondery “continues to be fundamental” to the scheme.
“We’re proud to continue this collaboration and remain dedicated to making the APAs accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances,” she said. “By doing so, we aim to support meaningful career progression through award recognition and foster greater equity across the industry.”
Chris Baughen from Wondery added: “It’s an honour to continue our work with the Audio Production Awards by supporting the Pay What You Can scheme… to help open up the opportunity for as many creators to participate in key industry recognition moments.”
To access the Pay What You Can scheme, email katie@audioproductionawards.co.uk.
More details are at audioproductionawards.co.uk.
Key Dates:
- Entries are open (opened on 16th June)
- Early Bird entry fee: Mon 16th June – Sunday 31st August Midnight (10 weeks)
- Standard entry fee from Monday 1st September
- Final deadline: Wednesday 17th September 2PM. (Please note there will be no extension of the entry deadline)
- Shortlist announced & event tickets on sale: Monday 27th October
- Awards Ceremony at the BFI, London, Southbank: Thursday 27th November
- Winners Published: Thursday 28th November
The APAs from AudioUK – Categories for 2025:
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF PRODUCERS WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER:
- Arts & Culture
- Audiobook
- Branded Content
- Comedy
- Drama & Fiction
- Entertainment
- Factual/Documentary
- Lifestyle & Society
- Little Ears
- Music
- News/Politics
- Sound Design
- Sport
- True Crime
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- Narrator
- New Producer
- New Voice
- Presenter/Host
- Producer of the Year
OTHER
- Ensemble Cast/Presenting Team
- Changemaker Award
- Network of Publisher of the Year
- Production Company of the Year
All category descriptions and eligibility criteria can be found here: