Peter C. Rollins and Susan W. Rollins Award for the Best Documentary Film

International documentary film competition recognizing an outstanding film that critically engages with Popular or American culture. Documentary features and shorts in any style are eligible, provided they were completed within the last three years. The winning film is screened at the PCA Annual Conference. Entry is free, and films are submitted through an online portal.

Popular or American culture

International eligibility. Documentary features and shorts in any style must have been completed within the last three years. Works in progress and films that have been widely commercially distributed are ineligible. Applicants must have created the project themselves and own or have permission to use all submitted content. Foreign-language entries require English subtitles. Multiple film entries are allowed; previously submitted documentaries may be resubmitted the following year if still within the three-year completion window. Submit through the submission portal according to its guidelines; hard-copy and email submissions are not accepted. Applicants must accept the rules and submission guidelines. Required form information includes submission date, nominator name and role, producer or production company, first creator's name, film title, film link, release date, award-contact email, mailing address for sending the award, and a three-line explanation of why the film merits this award. Required documents are high-resolution color JPG headshots for each author, with the author identified in the filename, and a press release image representing the work. Submission grants PCA permission to screen the film at its annual conference and use parts of the film, including trailer, teaser, and film poster, for promotion. Films are reviewed and scored by the Peter C. Rollins Award Committee; all committee decisions are final. Selected filmmakers will be notified. Submissions are non-returnable. The winning film will be screened at the PCA National Conference. All submissions are due November 1, 2026.