Seven new films added to D&AD Next Director Award shortlist

Cristina Blanaru Ads, Creativity

The second shortlist for the Next Director Award has been revealed, with a further seven new directors in contention to win the brand new short film award created by D&AD and YouTube.

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

  • A Graphic Novel, branded content directed by Blair Macdonald & Oliver Clark (Novemba) for Bacardi

AGraphicNovel1

AGraphicNovel2

AGraphicNovel3

AlanMoore1

 

AlanMoore2

Sister1

Sister2\

Sister3

OurShoes1

OurShoes2

Mayokero1

Mayokero2

Mayokero3

  • The Mountaineer, branded content directed by Clara Aranovich for C3 Energy

Mountaineer

Mountaineer2

Mountaineer3

NakedDancingStunt1

NakedDancingStunt2

NakedDancingStunt3

The Next Director Award is open exclusively to filmmakers with less than two years commercial experience. Shortlisted directors receive international exposure for their work and mentoring from a top production company, such as Partizan, RSA Films, Great Guns, Hungryman, Rattling Stick, Academy Films, Sonny, Jelly London and Lobo Sao Paulo. Each shortlisted director will also receive a production grant from MOFILM to work on a commissioned brief.

It’s a pleasure to be part of this search to select the director of tomorrow. I’ve been overwhelmed by the standard of the work that I’ve seen and believe that these initiatives are essential, so that the true talent out there don’t remain undiscovered and find the opportunities that they deserve

David Bruno,

Senior Creative Google Creative Labs

The second round of entries was a movement away from the ‘dark’ inaugural session earlier in the year.  Perhaps it reflects the mood of the seasons. The charm of Mayokero made everyone smile for lost memories and the thoughtful observations made by Emile Rafael in his documentary ‘Alan Moore’ sat comfortably alongside any director with years more experience. Bacardi’s ‘A Graphic Novel’ was pure entertainment and got better with each viewing, one of the few that had us all chuckling. I can’t wait for the final round!

So, Next Directors, choose your best piece of work and get it in front of us.  This is the final call for work before we select the first D&AD Next Director in 2015.

 

Laura Gregory,

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

 

Following the reveal of the second shortlist, the third and final entry period for the 2015 Next Director Award is now open. Filmmakers are allowed to submit one entry per deadline. Films do not have to be commercially released and must be less than five minutes in length. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 4 February 2015.

Since 1962, D&AD has been inspiring a community of creative thinkers by celebrating and stimulating the finest in design and advertising. A D&AD Award is recognised globally as the ultimate creative accolade, entered and attended by the best creative decision makers from around the world. Set to reward, promote and enable creative brilliance in all areas of creative communication, a D&AD Pencil remains the pinnacle in many careers.