The only award show honoring prop excellence returns Sep. 13, 2025.

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Property Masters Guild will host the second annual MacGuffin Awards at the Paramount Theater on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025, continuing its mission to recognize the artistry and impact of Property Masters across film, television, commercials and more.

In fiction, a MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin) is an object, device, or event necessary for plot and character motivation, but insignificant or irrelevant in itself. The word originated with Angus MacPhail, a screenwriter who worked extensively with Alfred Hitchcock, who in turn popularized the term. The Golden Fleece, of the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, was a MacGuffin. So was the Holy Grail, and the Maltese Falcon.

After a sold-out inaugural event featuring appearances by Tom Lennon, Dax Shepard and Virginia Madsen, along with video messages from Zack Snyder, Quinta Brunson and Melissa Rauch, the 2025 MacGuffin Awards returns with a new award and updated submission guidelines. 

Submissions officially open Thursday, May 1, 2025, and full category descriptions, eligibility windows and new campaign guidelines can be reviewed at www.propertymastersguild.org/macguffinawards.

“Last year’s MacGuffin Awards proved what many of us already knew: it’s time for the contributions of Property Masters to be seen, honored and celebrated,” says Jeffrey Johnson, President of the Property Masters Guild.

“In 2025, we build on that foundation, introducing new honors and expanding access to ensure the longevity of this recognition,” add the co-chairs of the 2025 MacGuffin Awards, Theresa Corvino, Brad Elliott and Lauren Shell.

2ND ANNUAL MACGUFFIN AWARDS TIMELINE*:

  • Thursday, May 1, 2025: Submissions open for all Categories
  • Friday, June 13, 2025: Submissions close for all Categories
  • Monday, June 23, 2025: Nominations Voting Begins
  • Friday, July 11, 2025: Nominations Voting Closes 
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2025: MacGuffin Award Nominees Announced
  • Monday, July 28, 2025: Final Voting Begins
  • Friday, Aug. 15, 2025: Final Voting Ends
  • Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025: Winners announced at the 2nd Annual MacGuffin Awards 

*Dates are subject to change. 

EVOLVING THE MACGUFFINS: WHAT’S NEW FOR 2025

Following a successful inaugural event and valuable feedback from Guild members, the 2025 MacGuffin Awards will include important updates aimed at strengthening the credibility and longevity of the awards program.

  • Introducing the President’s Awards: A new honor, the President’s Award, has been established to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the success of a Property Department without serving as the Property Master. This award highlights the collaborative nature of the craft and honors vital team members behind the scenes. 

Award Categories Include:

  • Feature Film – Contemporary
  • Feature Film – Period
  • Feature Film – Sci-Fi/Fantasy
  • Television – One Hour
  • Television – Half Hour
  • Television – Miniseries
  • Commercials
  • Short-Form Content
  • Innovation in Property
  • Excellence in Property Research
  • President’s Award (non-submission category)
  • Category Description Updates: Minor but meaningful changes have been made to category definitions. Notably, the definition of “Miniseries” has been expanded to distinguish it clearly from ongoing television and streaming series. All entrants are encouraged to review the revised category descriptions before submitting.
  • Television Eligibility Window Expanded: To align with the Television Academy’s calendar and maximize exposure during Emmy season, the eligibility window for television projects will temporarily span January 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, the TV eligibility period will return to a standard 12-month cycle: June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026. The eligibility window for feature films and short-format submissions will remain January 1 – December 31, 2024.

The MacGuffin Awards are proud to be sponsored by Hill Valley, Giovanni Echo Chic Beauty, Independent Studio Services and Studio Art & Technology.  

ABOUT PROPERTY MASTERS GUILD: 

The Property Masters Guild is dedicated to highlighting and elevating the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness of the craft, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters. The contributions of Property Masters are integral to the design of every production. The Property Masters Guild is dedicated to highlighting their design achievements and pivotal role in the filmmaking process. For more information, visit www.propertymastersguild.org. Follow PMG on social media for updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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