Flying through the glass ceiling with Nicolas Ivan Bori
Packed with blockbuster visuals and an important message to match, Nicolas Bori's Breaking Glass picked up a Gold in the YDA's Film School > up to 10 minutes category. Here, shots finds out how the Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg student piloted dreams to success.
How Stink Films cares for directors who care
Daniel Bergmann, founder and president of Stink Films, explains why his company, which won a Gold Screen producers award at this year’s YDA, has always had a mission to nurture new directors and why they seek creatives who genuinely care about the work.
A YDA delivery for Vanessa Stachel
German director Vanessa Stachel secured a Gold in the YDA Animation, and Film School category for her short film Delivery For Mr. Frogula. Here, she talks about making the miniatures, the team involved in bringing the film to life, and hopes and dreams for the future.
Love Song’s soul-enriching search for new talent
Love Song Films was one of two companies to win a Gold Screen Production Company of the Year at the YDA this year. Founders Kelly Bayett and Daniel Wolfe talk to shots about the rewards of seeking shining stars and listening out for that distinctive voice.
How Victoria Warmerdam tackled bodily-autonomy through comedy
Clinching not just one but four YDA Golds, plus the Special Jury Prize, OAK Motion Pictures director Victoria Warmerdam's darkly comedy short, I'm Not a Robot, draws inspiration from CAPTCHA technology, vintage sci-fi aesthetics and psychological thrillers to address feminist themes of identity and objectification.
Will Wightman's certain success
Picking up a YDA Gold Screen award in the Commercial category, BlinkInk director Will Wightman's campaign for Ore-Ida is a "super-weird" spot that celebrates the predictable. Here, he discusses Hollywood's Golden Age, embracing the unusual, and getting thrown into the deep end.
Why anonymity and channeled rage were essential for SHIRZAN to Rise
Despite winning the Changing the World Frame by Frame gold at this year's YDA, director SHIRZAN could not claim it; the anonymous alias essential in the tale of Iranian persecution. We caught up with them to speak about the origins of the story, the perilous shoot, and why it was important to share such heartbreak.
How Sindre Haram crafted a poignant tale of childhood isolation
Sindre Haram won a Gold screen YDA for his naturalistic portrait of a boy caught in the crosshairs of his parents’ divorce. Here he explains how he created a powerful narrative by mining the past, and recalling, then detaching from, his father’s story.
All things change with Davide Vicari
Italian director Davide Vicari secured a Gold in the YDA Music Video category for Massimo Pericolo's Le Cose Cambiano album trailer. Here, he talks about connecting the artist with the audience, using FPV drones, and thriving in the commercial world.
How LOOSE got tight with Football Beyond Borders
Picking up the Charity Commercial gold award at this year's YDA, Stink director LOOSE's authentic slice of footballing life hit the target. Here, she discusses how to score with a one-day shoot.
LIAKH's artistic endeavour
Spindle director LIAKH picked up a YDA Gold award at this year's ceremony for his carefully curated and brilliantly comedic spot for the Sainsbury Centre. Here, he explains how the film is a "loveletter with a bit of darkness mixed in", and why comedy is hard.
Emma Foley's tone-perfect, blackly-comedic Sound & Colour
Picking up the Short Film [10 minutes and over] prize at this year's YDA, writer/director Emma Foley's painfully honest account of a Irish family in denial hit the judges heartstrings. Here, we find out how the authentic relationships were brought to the screen, and how an enigmatic title can open viewers to challenging stories.