D&AD and YouTube unveil inaugural Next Director Award's first shortlist
D&AD has announced the shortlist for its Next Director Award.
Launched in April, the Next Director Award sees D&AD team up with YouTube in order to discover and showcase the next generation of talented directors from across the world.
At the time of the launch, YouTube head of creative agency partnerships, Alison Lomax, said YouTube was “delighted to partner with D&AD to find the next generation of filmmakers”.
The shortlist, which includes a mix of animation, documentaries, music videos and commercials, was chosen by a panel of industry directors including Dougal Wilson, David Bruno, Laura Gregory, Ringan Ledwige and Juliette Larthe.
Of the shortlist, Lomax 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.”
Laura Gregory, D&AD trustee, founder of Great Guns and jury foreman, added: “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 from the next round of judging.”
Aiming to bridge the gap between D&AD’s Professional Awards and New Blood the Next Director Award follows its own format and will be judged three times per year, producing three separate shortlists. Following the reveal of the first shortlist, the second entry period is now open, with a deadline of 15 October.
In addition to moving into contention for the grand prize of an expert industry mentorship and a new D&AD Pencil in May, each shortlisted director’s work will be showcased as part of MOFILM’s international event calendar throughout 2014 and 2015.
The first 16 shortlisted videos can be viewed below.