Logo - Feel The Words

Prizes Quotes

Winning was never really the point.

These prizes quotes share a common thread of ambivalence, with more than one filmmaker insisting prizes were never the goal of making the work in the first place. That skepticism echoes ideas found under Arbitrary, where recognition itself gets questioned.

There is something so arbitrary about prizes.

Quotes by Steve Toltz

Yes, I've won prizes for putting words on a computer.

Quotes by Ryan North

The process for awarding Nobel prizes is so complex that it cannot be corrupted.

Quotes by Rita Levi-Montalcini

Incentive prizes work.

Quotes by Peter Diamandis

About Quotes

I don't make films to win prizes. I make films to make films.

Quotes by Norman Jewison

I have written movies that won prizes at Cannes and Venice.

Quotes by Luciano Vincenzoni

I don't value prizes of any sort.

Quotes by David Hockney

Do not seek prizes that aren't worth getting.

Quotes by Caterina Fake

Parts win prizes, not actors.

Quotes by Alan Rickman

You may also like

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these prizes quotes suggest filmmakers care about winning?
Mostly not directly, several speakers insist they make films to make films rather than chasing recognition. That stance is echoed in the broader Arbitrary collection, which questions how prizes get decided.
Is there a quote about winning prizes for writing?
Yes, one speaker expresses genuine surprise at having won prizes just for putting words on a computer, treating the recognition almost as an accident rather than a goal.
What festivals are mentioned in connection with prizes?
Cannes and Venice both come up, with one speaker recalling movies they'd written that won prizes at both festivals. It's one of the more specific, career-grounded quotes in the set.
Why do some quotes call prizes arbitrary?
The implication is that judging creative work involves a lot of subjective taste, making the outcome feel more like chance than a fair measure of quality.
Where can I read more about awards and recognition specifically?
The Awarding and About pages both touch on related ideas about how recognition gets given and received.

Still, a couple of entries admit real pride at winning, including screenplay prizes at Cannes and Venice. For more on chance recognition versus deserved reward, see About and Awarding.