The Independent Podcast Awards 2025 are officially open for entry, and a brand new event from the same team has also been announced. The Independent Podcast Forum is a one-day event bringing together indie creators to learn from industry experts, and each other.

The Independent Podcast Awards were launched by whynow Media and Verbal Diorama in 2023 for those podcasters that got overlooked by other awards. The awards have gone from strength to strength, and last year attracted more than 400 entries. This year, there are brand new categories too, such as Best Use of Video and Best Environmental & Natural World Podcast, along with the old favourites.

Following enthusiastic feedback from attendees wishing they had more opportunities to network with likeminded podcasters, the team decided to launch the Independent Podcast Forum. Taking place on Monday 16th June at 21 Soho in London, the event will cover hot topics such as “How to pitch your podcast to journalists” and “Making podcasting your career”.

A few of the speakers already secured are Alice Florence Orr, Managing Editor for Podcast Review; Patricia Nicol, Radio and Podcast Reviewer for the Sunday Times; audio producer, sound designer & mix engineer, Arlie Adlington; and Co-Founder of Stripped Media, Kobi Omenaka.

The full schedule for the day will be announced in the coming weeks, with some exciting plans in the works. Tickets to the event cost £55, you can find out more details and purchase tickets on the website here: independentpodcastawards.com/forum

The Independent Podcast Awards are open for entry now, and the deadline for entries is Monday 6th June. This year’s awards ceremony will once again take place at Kings Place, in Kings Cross, London on Wednesday 15th October.

More details about the awards such as all the categories and criteria can be found on the website: independentpodcastawards.com

This year’s events are being supported by Acast, Adelicious, AudioUK, Captivate, Mail Metro Media, Evergreen, Podnews and Rusty Quill.

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About whynow
whynow, founded in 2019 by Gabriel Jagger, is a digital magazine, podcast and production studio, fuelled by a passion for and belief in celebrating arts, music and culture, and the iconic and pioneering talent who are creating it. Find out more at whynowmedia.com/

About Verbal Diorama
Verbal Diorama is a celebration of filmmaking. An independent film history podcast that goes into the making of movies, from conception to completion, their history and legacy, and why they remain so special to so many of us. Listen to all episodes at: https://www.verbaldiorama.com/ or in your podcast app of choice.