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Variety Nominated for 107 National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 20:08 GMT by Variety
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Variety Announces 2025 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Nominees

Variety’s annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, a long‑standing celebration of excellence in the field, unveiled its slate of nominees on Thursday. The awards, administered by the Variety Media Group, recognize outstanding reporting, storytelling, and visual journalism across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. The 2025 nominations feature a diverse mix of seasoned veteran writers and fresh voices, underscoring the evolving landscape of arts coverage in an increasingly multimedia‑oriented world.

1. Best Feature Story – Arts & Entertainment

The feature story category has always been Variety’s flagship, drawing some of the most compelling long‑form journalism in the industry. This year’s nominees include:

• “The Quiet Resurgence of Street Performance in Los Angeles” by Sarah Thompson (The New York Times) – a deep dive into the underground revival of busking in the city’s new cultural districts.
• “When Broadway Goes Virtual: The Pandemic’s Lasting Imprint” by David Chen (Los Angeles Times) – an exploration of how the theater world adapted to virtual audiences during COVID‑19 and the long‑term ramifications for live performance.
• “Reclaiming the Stage: Women Directors Who Are Shaping the Future of Cinema” by Lena Ortiz (The Guardian) – a profile series on female filmmakers pushing the envelope in mainstream Hollywood.

These stories were selected for their rigorous research, nuanced perspectives, and the way they illuminate broader cultural trends.

2. Best Video – Arts & Entertainment

Video journalism has surged in prominence, with creators leveraging high‑definition production and interactive storytelling. Nominees include:

• “The Invisible Artists of Silicon Valley” by Jared Levine (Vox) – a 10‑minute documentary featuring a mosaic of tech‑industry creatives who have kept the arts alive amid corporate culture.
• “Portrait of a Composer” by Maya Patel (PBS NewsHour) – an in‑depth profile of contemporary composer Huan Liu, blending live performance footage with intimate interviews.
• “The Rise of Immersive Theater” by Chris Nguyen (The Atlantic) – a visual piece capturing the experience of attending an AR‑enhanced live show in Brooklyn.

The videos were praised for their cinematic quality, sound design, and innovative use of new media.

3. Best Photo

Visual storytelling through still images continues to be a vital component of arts coverage. The photo category featured:

• “A Life in Light” by Michael Armand (Getty Images) – a series documenting the daily routine of a master stage lighting designer, capturing the interplay between light and performance.
• “Cultural Tapestry” by Anjali Reddy (Associated Press) – photographs of an international arts festival that showcased traditional dance, contemporary performance, and community art projects.
• “The Empty Stage” by Luis Hernandez (Reuters) – a striking image of a vacant theater’s marquee, reflecting the pandemic’s impact on live venues.

4. Best Audio

The rise of podcasts and audio features has broadened the scope of arts journalism. Nominees include:

• “Inside the Music Academy” – a podcast episode from The New Yorker that chronicles the life of a music conservatory student navigating the pressures of elite training.
• “Stained Glass: The Story Behind the Cathedral’s Iconic Windows” – an investigative piece by The Washington Post that combines historical research with sound design to bring the cathedral’s past to life.
• “The Art of Performance” – an original series from NPR featuring conversations with actors and directors about the craft and commerce of theater.

5. Best Commentary

Commentary pieces that offer critical insight and cultural analysis are essential to contextualizing artistic developments. The nominees include:

• “Why We Still Need Live Theater in a Digital Age” by Jill S. O’Brien (The Wall Street Journal) – a compelling argument for the continued relevance of in‑person performance.
• “The Cost of Creativity” by Thomas K. Lee (Financial Times) – an examination of how economic pressures affect the production and distribution of arts content.
• “The Democratization of Art” by Maria S. Torres (Al Jazeera English) – a thoughtful analysis of how social media platforms are reshaping the way audiences discover and engage with art.

6. Best Editorial

Editorials that challenge industry norms or advocate for systemic change also earned recognition. Highlighted entries include:

• “Representation in Film: Where Are the Women Directors?” by Emily R. Kim (The Guardian) – a call for better representation in the film industry.
• “Art Funding in a Post‑Pandemic World” by Samuel P. Grant (The New York Times) – a policy‑focused piece on how governments should prioritize arts funding after the pandemic.
• “Cultural Heritage in a Globalized World” by Lina P. Chen (BBC News) – a piece on protecting intangible cultural heritage in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Why the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards Matter

The Variety awards are more than a ceremonial event; they serve as a barometer for the health of arts journalism. In a climate where traditional media outlets face economic pressure, and where audiences increasingly turn to podcasts, videos, and social media for cultural insight, Variety’s recognition helps spotlight rigorous, innovative work that might otherwise go unnoticed. By awarding excellence across multiple media, the organization underscores the importance of adapting to new storytelling formats while maintaining journalistic integrity.

Moreover, the awards provide a platform for emerging journalists to gain visibility, encouraging fresh perspectives in coverage that reflects the diversity of modern artistic expression. The 2025 nominees illustrate this trend, with many stories exploring underrepresented communities, hybrid forms of art, and the intersection of technology and culture.

Looking Ahead

The winners of the 2025 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards will be announced at Variety’s annual awards ceremony in May. Anticipation is high for the category winners, particularly in the best feature story and best video categories, where the competition was especially fierce. Industry observers expect the awards to influence the future direction of arts coverage, spotlighting the stories and formats that resonate most with contemporary audiences.

For those interested in exploring the nominees in depth, Variety provides direct links to each piece—ranging from in‑depth feature articles on mainstream publications to short‑form video segments produced by independent creators. By navigating these links, readers can gain a comprehensive view of the creative landscape that this year’s nominees represent.

Variety’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards continue to set the standard for thoughtful, engaging, and visually compelling coverage of the world’s artistic and cultural pulse.