British creative community D&AD and YouTube have joined forces to launch a competition for new directors. They are on the look out for young directors with films that match the following criteria: "Any short film, music video, commercial or branded content as long as it is less than 5 minutes in length. It can be commercially available or not but what will be judged is how the direction brings the creative idea to life." The first call for entries may have ended Wednesday 25 June, but we're sure they'll make an exception for a super great film. Also, fear not as two more calls for entries are to follow.
The D&AD’s Next Director Award Launch Party took place in late April at Google Town Hall in London. Art Director Danny Pallett took pictures at the event. We have a couple of snaps from the Who’s Next? Event in London... And now for more some more background information on the award.
Developed to bridge the gap between the Professional Awards and New Blood, this is D&AD’s debut in awarding non-commercial creative work at the Professional level. New directors can enter any form of film, providing it is under five minutes in length, this includes short films, music videos, commercials and branded content. The Next Director Award is launched in collaboration with YouTube. Through the award, YouTube aims to help unearth new directorial talent and provide a global platform to gain recognition for their work.
Awards include invaluable expert mentorship from YouTube and D&AD, ranging from one-on-one sessions with high-profile filmmakers and producers to full agency representation. Winners will also be presented with a newly designed D&AD Pencil, as well as funding from MOFILM to work on a commissioned brief.
Alison Lomax, Head of Creative Agency Partnerships, YouTube commented, “YouTube is a platform where creators of any size can build an audience and where people can find content they love - from to music, to sport to film. We’re delighted to partner with D&AD to find the next generation of filmmakers and help provide a global stage for new directorial talent to showcase their work.”
The award’s panel is a veritable crème de la crème of the industry, led by D&AD Trustee and Founder of Great Guns, Laura Gregory. Joining her on the jury will be Juliette Larthe (PRETTYBIRD), Phil Tidy (Squire), David Alberts (MOFILM), David Bruno (Google Creative Lab) and Dougal Wilson (Blink Productions). In addition, there will be two further guest judges: Ringan Ledwidge (Rattling Stick) and a second to be announced in the coming weeks.
Laura Gregory, D&AD Trustee, Founder of Great Guns and jury foreman “Nothing excites me more than the discovery of new talent, who challenge the way the established think and perform. D&AD was founded upon a celebration of craft; with content being king, it’s vital to the longevity of our industry that we help bring through the next Ridley Scotts and Jonathan Glazers."
The Next Director Award will be held separately to the D&AD Professional Awards and has a different format. It will be judged three times per year, producing three sets of Nominations. Each set will be showcased as part of MOFILM’s international event calendar throughout 2014 and 2015. After the third round of judging, a winner will be selected from all the Nominated entries from that year in May. For the inaugural Next Director Award, timings will be as follows:
Next Director Award & Call for Entries
• 1st entry deadline 25 June - 1st Nominations announced 8 July
• 2nd entry deadline 31 Oct - 2nd Nominations announced mid November
• 3rd entry deadline 28 Feb - 3rd Nominations announced mid April
• Winner announced at D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May 2015
About D&AD : Since 1962, D&AD has been inspiring a community of creative thinkers by celebrating and stimulating the finest in design and advertising. A D&AD Award is recognised globally as the ultimate creative accolade, entered and attended by the best creative decision makers from around the world. Set to reward, promote and enable creative brilliance in all areas of creative communication, a Yellow – or Black – Pencil remains the pinnacle in many careers.
