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

Cristina Blanaru Creativity, Digital & Media

D&AD and YouTube announce first shortlist for the inaugural Next Director Award, with 16 aspiring filmmakers running for the first D&AD Next Director Award, an 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, a 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”, a music video directed by Emile Sornin     

    • 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.

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.

Alison Lomax,

Head of Creative Agency Partnerships, 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.

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!

Laura Gregory,

D&AD Trustee, Founder of Great Guns and jury foreman

Ringan 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.

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.

The next key dates for Next Director Award, current edition: October 15th (2nd entry deadline), November 11th (2nd shortlist announced), February 28th 2015 (3rd entry deadline), April 20th (3rd shortlist announced). The winners of the competition will be announced during D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May 2015.

MOFILM is the leading content creation community for aspiring filmmakers, photographers and musicians, with members all over the world and works with global brands to showcase talent and create innovative new ideas. Its competitions give company’s partners a chance to tap a huge reservoir of international talent, as well as developing a wealth of content to be distributed online and via mobile devices. MOFILM contests also help brands engage with creative talent around the globe and provides production grants, along with mentoring and advice throughout the entire creative process of their competitions, from script to final edit, to ensure that the filmmakers have the best opportunity for their work to be used by that brand.