longlists

A longlist is an initial, broad list of candidates, nominees, or works proposed for consideration in a competition, prize, or award. It serves as a preliminary pool from which a smaller group is later selected for more thorough evaluation. Longlists are common in literary awards, film and music competitions, journalism prizes, and some grant programs.

The longlist is usually created through a formal process that may involve submissions, nominations, or recommendations from publishers, studios, or committees. A judging panel reviews entries for eligibility and merit, and a publicly announced longlist records the works deemed worthy of ongoing consideration. From the longlist, a shorter list—often called a shortlist—is drawn, and the winner or recipients are chosen from that group. In some cases, the longlist remains confidential, while in others it is released to the public to generate interest and discussion.

Purposes of a longlist include widening the field of candidates to ensure diverse or underrepresented works receive attention, increasing transparency in the early stages of judging, and creating publicity for a wider range of creators. A longlist can help readers, viewers, or jurors discover new works and stimulate ongoing conversation about quality and relevance.

Notable examples include longlists published for major literary prizes, such as the Booker Prize, which traditionally announces a longlist before a shortlist and final winner. The term is widely understood in awards culture as a step in the narrowing of candidates toward a final selection.