Corey Esse from Finch joins AdFest as jury president for Film Craft + New Director categories

Corey Esse of Finch has been named Jury President of the Film Craft Lotus and New Director Lotus jury at AdFest 2017,

AdFest takes place from 22nd – 25th March 2017 in Pattaya, Thailand.

As Managing Director and Executive Producer at Finch, Esse (pictured left) is one of the region’s best-known EPs, overseeing Finch Productions in New Zealand and Australia.

“Leading the Film Craft and New Director jury is a big responsibility – especially as AdFest is turning 20 next year – but it’s a responsibility I’m looking forward to. Some of the most experimental, interesting films are made in Asia, so I think AdFest 2017 is going to be a good barometer for what lies ahead in our industry,” says Esse.

Esse began his career at Australia’s iconic Publicis Mojo, producing award-winning campaigns for Nike, Greenpeace and Coca Cola as Regional Head of Television.

In 2010, he joined Fallon Minneapolis as Head of Integrated Production and oversaw transmedia projects for blue-chip clients including Cadillac. After three years in the US, Esse returned to Australia as Managing Director and Executive Producer at EXIT Films where he oversaw the globally awarded campaign ‘Remote Control Tourist’ for Tourism Victoria.

“Corey’s collaborations with world-class Creative Directors have been recognised all over the world, winning Lions, Best of Shows and Grand Prix prizes. Most importantly though, Corey is passionate about the craft of filmmaking, and we’re honored he’ll be sharing this passion at AdFest 2017 as a Jury President,” says Jimmy Lam, President of AdFest.

Founded in 2011, Finch is a production company working at the crossroads of storytelling, entertainment and technology. With 30 full-time staff, 18 directors, and hundreds of freelancers each year, Finch has offices in Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne.

The company currently holds several patents and actively develops and licenses products, innovations, and inventions that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

In 2015, The Gunn Report named Finch Production Company of the Year, Asia Pacific.