2009 Webby Awards Accepting Entries in New Categories

Dubbed the Oscars of the Inernet (even though it’s not quite as selective), the Webby Awards is the “leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile web sites.”

Last week, it kicked-off its 13th annual call for entries (last year’s Webbys received nearly 10,000 entrants) with new categories in Online Film and Video.

In addition to the 25 categories from last year

, the 2009 ceremonies will include winners in Best Host of Reality/Variety Series, Best Individual Performance (“which will honor everything from a poignant dramatic performance to an intricately executed dance routine”), Best use of Interactive Video and Best Video Mashup/Remix (i.e. Hillary/1984, Shining).

But before you jump to enter, remember the Webbys is a successful, for-profit organization with entry fees that might be prohibitive, especially considering you need to pay a separate fee for every category in which you want to be considered.  If you register before the October 31 early bird deadline, you can catch a little bit of a break, but even with a $195 price tag (Viral and Student Film and Video categories are discounted to $150), it can quickly get expensive for independent content producers.

If you find yourself in a position where you have great videos, but you’re strapped for cash, drop the Webbys a line.  I spoke with Executive Director David-Michel Davies at the ceremony last year and he said they do their best to accommodate those who can’t afford the fees:

Best of luck.  Winners will be announced in April 2009 followed by an awards ceremony in New York in June.