The Guide Awards are back, celebrating the best in the Portsmouth region's arts - so get voting!

Yes, it’s time once more to launch The Guide Awards, our annual celebration of all that is good from across the region’s arts community.

There are 13 categories open for voting, ranging from stage to screen, music, art and more.

And there is also a Special Achievement Award which is sponsored by Portsmouth City Council. This is given to a person or organisation we deem to have made a significant contribution to the local arts world.

We are delighted to announce the return of Fry and Kent as the awards’ main sponsor. Their continued support is testament to their willingness to support the arts in their home city.

The estate agents successfully sell and rent property across Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire and have earned an enviable reputation for customer service and professionalism in the process.

Fry and Kent director Neil Maxwell says: ‘Sponsoring The Guide Awards represents a further commitment to arts and culture in the city.

‘With what has happened under austerity and cuts in spending to the arts, there hasn’t been enough money for arts to thrive.

‘We have all got a social responsibility to the arts, and this is one of the ways we are trying to do that, and to put our money where our mouths are.’

The News’s editor Mark Waldron says: ‘Last year we received a record number of votes – you voted for the awards in your thousands – which is a clear indicator of how much they mean to people.

‘We want you to back your favourites and help spread the word about just how many talented people we have among us.

‘It would be wonderful if we could top that number of votes this year and create a new record.

‘While we do our best each year to pick the best nominees in each category, we know we’re not infallible. And that is why each category also has a Readers’ Choice option – you can use this when voting if you think we’ve missed out a worthy candidate.

‘We’ll look forward to seeing you at the awards night in the new year, and the very best of luck to all of our nominees.’

The awards night for 2019 will take place at the Kings Theatre in Albert Road, Southsea, on Monday, January 27.

All of the winners will be announced on the night, and there will also be some great entertainment.

Closer to the time we will let you know how you can get hold of your free tickets to the big bash – it’s open to everyone.

So make sure you have your say – voting closes at midnight on Sunday, December 29.

Cast your votes by clicking HERE.

The film category is run with Portsmouth Film Society, and hosted by Making Waves International Film Festival. Go to tiny.cc/guidefilm where you can watch all of the nominated films and vote for them.

A.BEST COMEDY SPONSORED BY PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL

1. Sunjai Arif: Took a new show, Which Princess Are You? to Edinburgh Fringe while continuing to co-host the Boutique Comedy Club at The Wave Maiden in Southsea.

2. Hetty Austin: Co-founder of the Boutique Comedy Club, deserving of better than picking up awards on behalf of her colleagues.

3. Dan Churchley: ‘Hampshire’s Houdini’, his blend of comedy, magic and escapology has continued winning fans as Solent Comedy’s MC, and host of Show Quizness at The Lord John Russell.

4. Nathan Eagle: Has continued gigging while also acting with the Broken Bricks production company.

5. The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue: The scene veterans continue to entertain across the land with their distinctive double-act.

6. Perry Reilly: As co-founder of PM Promotions, Perry has helped set up and MC the regular comedy night at The Dolphin, and more recently at The Emporium in Southsea and Staggeringly Good bar.

7. Graham Rice: Co-host of the Emergency Mixtape podcast with former Guide award-winner Joe Wells – they aim to create a mixtape for every eventuality.

8. Matt Roseblade: Regular MC for the Comedy at The Fat Fox nights, and promoter of Puns and Roses at The Rose in June.