The Awards were established in the year 1982 by the Australian Teachers of Media, "an independent, non-profit association to promote media education and screen literacy in primary, secondary and tertiary education and the broader community".
This Award is made at the discretion of the judges, and recognizes the commitment, dedication and inspiration of a teacher or school, and which the judges can observe informing a body of student work as submitted in either the primary, secondary or tertiary categories of the ATOM Awards.
The awards attract student filmmakers, educational films, and even professional industry practitioners.
Entries are open to Australian and New Zealand students and media industry professionals.
These entries may be websites, TV programs, videos, film, DVD, CD-ROMs or a convergence of the above, including installations.