With only two months to go to the Cannes Lions festival, and therefore to the Young Director Award 2018, the YDA has announced the first half of the jury that will help decide the winning work in this year's competition. 

Above, left to right: Ali Brown, Jimmy Lam and Elsa Rakotoson.

Joining the president of this year's panel, PRETTYBIRD's partner and EP, Ali Brown, will be a series of producers and creatives who will have the daunting task of choosing the best work from a host of global entries. The initial wave of names hail from either Europe or Asia-Pacific and represent some of the best and brightest creative minds from each region.

“These jury members represent some of the biggest and most creative companies from the two regions we’ve announced so far," said YDA president, Francois Chilot. "Their expertise and understanding around new directing talent, and what it takes to shine in the current directorial climate, will ensure that the work awarded at this year’s YDA will be both brilliant and deserving. I am looking forward to witnessing their conversations and celebrating their decisions.”

The YDA will annouce the final list of juror's name, those from the North American, South America, Afirca and the Middle East, in the coming weeks. 

Click here to read about YDA jury president, Ali Brown, discussing the need to nurture new talent