In a world where everything seems to be condensing, becoming a shorter version of itself, the sidney prize stands athwart technology, yelling stop. It is awarded every year to some of the best examples of long-form journalism and thought.
The prize was established by friends of the late Sidney Cox, professor of English at Dartmouth, to perpetuate in a small way the generative influence which he exerted both upon his students and upon the written work of the College. Contributions are being solicited for the purpose of establishing the fund on a permanent basis. Letters will be sent out to the original list of donors, and contributions from men not on that list are also being welcomed. The Committee for the Sydney Prize is composed of Robert Frost ’96, A. B. Guthrie, honorary chairman, and Budd Schulberg ’36, active chairman.
Sydney prize is one of many prizes that honor individuals and organizations. Another is the Hillman Prize for journalists who strive to promote social and economic justice. The prize was created in 1946 to honor the memory of President of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (now Service Employees International Union), who fought for “a better America and a progressive industrial democracy.”
It is a monthly award given by the Hillman Foundation for outstanding socially-conscious journalism that fosters the development of equitable solutions to critical issues for working people. In 2023, the Hillman prize was given to Black Lives Matter founders Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza.
The Sydney Prize is also one of several prizes hosted by Overland magazine and the Malcolm Robertson Foundation. The winner of the Sydney prize receives $5,000 and is published in Overland. The other finalists receive $750 each.
Another major prize is the TED Prize, which is given to individuals or groups that present ideas with beguiling imagery. It is sponsored by TED, an organization that encourages “ideas worth spreading.” The prize has been given since 2013.
There are other significant scholarships that honor individuals and groups. The Max Brenner Scholarship, for example, is given to incoming freshmen who have excelled in science and mathematics classes. The Sydney Peace Prize is another notable award that honors individuals who promote peace with justice and human rights.
The Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award recognizes film creatives whose work stands for innovation, imagination and high impact. It is open to NSW-based emerging filmmakers who have had no more than five short film credits. The event is supported by Screen NSW and Sydney UNESCO City of Film. It’s worth checking out if you’re in the area. The winner of this year’s award is Robyn Liu for her film “The Dancing Girl.” It is the second time she has won the award. She is a rising star in the Australian film industry. The movie was screened at the Sydney Film Festival. It will be released in theaters across Australia on May 10. The film is a drama about a woman who tries to escape her abusive husband.