Each year there are a few hundred film festivals throughout the world. Only a few are among the most important and are recognised as competitive by the international federation for film producers.

These festivals designate their official jury. They also welcome a jury from the International Film Press (Fipresci) and, for many of them, a SIGNIS or ecumenical jury. This tradition, for the oldest festivals, already dates back to 1947.

Only these three juries are allowed to judge the films entered by the festival in its official competition. They can also award prizes or commendations to films presented in parallel sections.

From 1947 to 1972, all the prizes awarded by the International Catholic Organisation for Cinema were called the "OCIC Prize".

In 1973, OCIC collaborated with the Protestant organisation "Interfilm" to make up the ecumenical juries in some festivals which have since then, awarded the "Ecumenical Jury Award".

Since 2002, OCIC has merged with Unda to become SIGNIS, and the prizes awarded in the festivals where the SIGNIS jury is present are now called ’The SIGNIS Award’.