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The YDA 2026 is open for entries
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This year's Young Director Award has opened its doors for the next wave of advertising's directorial talent.
The Young Director Award, organised in partnership with shots, is pleased to announce that entries for the 2026 show are now open.
As with every year, the 29th edition of the YDA will shine a light on the next generation of directing talent making its way into the advertising industry and, as announced last week, this year’s jury will be led by Mal Ward, Partner in and Managing Director of Arts & Sciences. "To me, the YDA has always been the standard bearer for showcasing the most exciting emerging talent the world over," Ward commented, going on to say that the industry relies on new voices to push craft forward.
Be ambitious — harness your imagination and direct compelling stories.
Championing visionary storytelling, originality and creativity since its inception, the Young Director Award invites the next generation of directors to showcase their talent and creativity at YDA 2026. The categories into which people can enter include Animation, Branded Content, Film School, Sound and Documentary, as well as many more.
A list of all categories can be found here.
Credits
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- Production Company Aswan
- Director Otman Qrita
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Credits
View on- Production Company Aswan
- Director Otman Qrita
- Producer Horace De Gunzbourg
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Credits
powered by- Production Company Aswan
- Director Otman Qrita
- Producer Horace De Gunzbourg
Above: Last year's Special Jury Prize winner, New Cavaliers, for Reebok, directed by Otman Qrita.
Sharing his advice for aspiring young filmmakers submitting their work this year, Francois Chilot, the Founder and President of YDA, said: "Prioritise storytelling, imagination and fiction! Upholding our imaginative spirit ensures future progress and evolution. To excel, young directors must master their ability to creatively translate ideas into their own work of art. My advice to young directorial talent: be ambitious — harness your imagination and direct compelling stories."
Winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday 25th June 2026 in Cannes, with Gold-winning directors profiled in the pages of shots after the event.
