YDA announces 2025 jury chair as it opens for entries

The Young Director Award, organised in association with shots, has announced that Ricardo Adolfo, the ECD at TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo and Seoul, will be this year's jury chair.

The YDA, which is now in its 28th year, is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards shows for – and accurate indicators of – the next generation of directing talent making its way into the advertising industry and beyond.

"The work that YDA has been doing since 1998 has been fundamental to boost new talent and to bring them to the attention of the international creative industry."

The jury for 2025 will feature a host of international advertising and filmmaking luminaries and will be chaired by Adolfo, who boasts a remarkable career in advertising, with his work recognised at Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, Spikes and Madstars, among many others. 

A man of many talents

As well as a formidable background in advertising, Adolfo has also written feature film scripts, including Saint George, which was an official selection at the Venice Film Festival - Horizons in 2016, and Great Yarmouth - Provisional Figures, which was an official selection at the San Sebastian Film Festival in 2022. Additionally, Adolfo has written four novels as well as the script for cult Portuguese TV series Sara, winner of Best Series, Portuguese Academy in 2019. 

Above: Adolfo has written films including 2022's Great Yarmouth - Provisional Figures.

"To have the opportunity to watch the latest and youngest voices in filmmaking is a true privilege,” said Adolfo. “And to have the chance to put a spotlight on the new directors exploring innovative ways of telling stories is an even greater honour. The work that YDA has been doing since 1998, together with its partners and collaborators, has been fundamental to boost new talent and to bring them to the attention of the international creative industry. I'm very grateful to François Chilot [YDA President], and the entire YDA team, for welcoming me into this unique opportunity to lead the nurturing, the promotion, and the celebration of the best of tomorrow's filmmakers from all around the world."

"I'm confident he will inspire the young directors of the upcoming competition, showcasing what's achievable through dedication, innovation and creativity."

Entries for 2025 are now open.

Crossing the line

"I'm delighted to welcome Ricardo as the 2025 jury chair," said Chilot. "His creativity and experience in the advertising arena is extensive, and he has worked with such amazing directors as Wong Kar Wai  and Park Chan-wook on projects for Philips and Apple. But the fact that Ricardo has also ‘crossed the line’, that is, he has been successful in both cinema and television, is a huge benefit to us at the YDA. 

"For many years we have championed the fact that these talented young directors can and should be thinking beyond traditional advertising and that, branded or not, long-form work is an integral part of the industry. The fact that he is also our first chair from the Asia Pacific region only strengthens our commitment to finding the next generation who can follow in Wong Kar Wai and Park Chan-wook’s footsteps. I'm confident he will inspire the young directors of the upcoming competition, showcasing what's achievable through innovation, creativity and hard work."