The Innovative Storytelling Award recognizes digital journalism of the highest quality that re-invents the way stories are told. Judges take into consideration the originality of the nominated presentation, how re-imagined delivery vehicles enhanced the audience’s understanding of the underlying journalism, and creativity in applying tools or technologies.

The award is open to any U.S. journalist or U.S. news organization. A vendor or technology partner may apply if submitted jointly with a news organization. Award winners participate in NPF’s annual awards event.

This year’s winner is The Washington Post for “The Blast Effect” – an immersive series showing how bullets from an AR-15 eviscerate human tissue and organs.

The series was created by N. Kirkpatrick, Atthar Mirza, Manuel Canales, Ronald Paniagua, Aadit Tambe, Anna Lefkowitz, Rekha Tenjarla, Madison Walls, Ann Gerhart, Peter Wallsten, Chiqui Esteban and Wendy Galietta.

N. Kirkpatrick spoke on behalf of the journalists at NPF’s annual awards dinner Feb. 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C.