D&AD and YouTube announce first shortlist for the inaugural Next Director Award

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GAWDS.jpgSixteen aspiring filmmakers are in the running for the first D&AD Next Director Award, a new award created in partnership with Youtube and supported by MOFILM.

Selected by an all-star panel of industry leaders including Dougal Wilson, David Bruno, Ringan Ledwidge and Juliette Larthe, the following films comprise the first shortlist:

#ViolenceIsViolence, web film directed by David Stoddart

Bitch In Heat, a short film directed by Anna Carpen

Chevrolet – Power Of Play – Bandung, branded content directed by Monatomi (Duncan

Christie & Ben Perry)

Daughters, a commercial directed by Ben Fouassier

Disclosure: “Grab Her” music video by Emilie Somin

Gawds, a documentary directed by Christine Yuan

Rollin’ Wild ‘Safari’, an animation directed by Kyra Buschor & Constantin Paeplow

Living Moments, branded content directed by Paul Trillo

Me + Her, a short film directed by Joseph Oxford

MeTube: August sings Carmen ‘Habanera’, a Web Film directed by David Moshel

Moon, a commercial directed by Jabril Muse

Mr Flash: ‘Midnight Blue‘, a music video directed by Pensacola

Mr X, a short film directed by Alex Nicholson

Walking Contest, a short film directed by Vania Heymann

We Are Shining: ‘Killing’, a music video directed by Ed Morris

What Goes Around, a short film directed by Oliver Briginshaw

The Next Director Award follows a different format and exists separately to the D&AD Professional Awards. It is judged three times per year, producing three separate shortlists. Following the reveal of the first shortlist, the second entry period is now open, with the deadline for the second submissions on 15 October.

NDA Disclosure Grab Her.jpgAlison Lomax, Head of Creative Agency Partnerships, YouTube commented, “I was blown away by the high level talent and variety of films across branded content, music videos and

documentaries. A true reflection of the calibre of this next generation of filmmakers on YouTube.”

In addition to moving into contention for the grand prize of expert industry mentorship and a brand new D&AD Pencil in May, each young director shortlisted will see their entries showcased as part of MOFILM’s international event calendar throughout 2014 and 2015.

Rollin Wild.jpgUpcoming dates include:

• Singapore: Design Film Festival 5-14 Sep

• Mumbai 10 Sep

• London 14 Oct

• Los Angeles 10 Dec

Laura Gregory, D&AD Trustee, Founder of Great Guns and jury foreman commented, “Themes of loss, love, perversion, depression, addiction and nutty humour prevailed. The shortlist was a balance of every element and the best was almost a unanimous choice. The overall quality was excellent and I can’t wait to see what’s to come at the next round of judging!”

Walking Contest.jpgRingan Ledwidge, Guest Judge and Director at Rattling Stick, commented, “I think collectively

we all came to judge the first round of the Next Director Award not knowing quite what to expect. Being a brand new award, what would the standard be like? Would it be films we’d already seen before? How high would the bar be set?

“We needn’t have worried. The standard across the board was fantastic and I think it’s reflected in the 16 films we’ve selected. However, what was most encouraging was to see the diversity of the films. We have everything from commercials and branded content to short films and documentaries represented in the final selection.

We Are Shining.jpg“Any aspiring filmmaker out there should definitely sit down and watch all sixteen of these films

we’ve chosen, because this opportunity is just too good to pass up. If you’ve any sort of passion for film, you now have another three months to find a film under five minutes and get it entered.

At the very minimum, it’s a chance to have your work screened all over the world. And at best? It could be the springboard to launch a long and storied career. “

Key dates for the Next Director Award

• 2nd entry deadline 15 Oct

2nd shortlist announced 11 November

• 3rd entry deadline 28 Feb

3rd shortlist announced 20 April

• Winner announced at D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May 2015