The Young Director Award (YDA) 2025 is now officially open for global entries in partnership with shots. The early bird deadline is Friday, February 28 2025, with the main deadline, Friday,March 28 2025.
The 2025 jury will feature international advertising and filmmaking luminaries. Ricardo Adolfo, executive creative director, TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo and Seoul, has been chosen as this year’s jury chair. Adolfo has lived in Tokyo for the past ten years, leading the creative work for Apple in Japan and Korea. Adolfo brings to the YDA experience from a remarkable career in advertising, with his work recognised at Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, Spikes and Madstars, among many others. He has also written feature film scripts, four novels and the script for cult Portuguese TV series Sara, winner of Best Series, Portuguese Academy in 2019.
Adolfo commented, “To have the opportunity to watch the latest and youngest voices in filmmaking is a true privilege. And to have the chance to put a spotlight on the new directors exploring innovative ways of telling stories is an even greater honour. The work that YDA has been doing since 1998, together with its partners and collaborators, has been fundamental to boost new talent and to bring them to the attention of the international creative industry. I’m very grateful to François Chilot, YDA president, and the entire YDA team, for welcoming me into this unique opportunity to lead the nurturing, the promotion, and the celebration of the best of tomorrow’s filmmakers from all around the world.”
François Chilot, YDA president, stated, “I’m delighted to welcome Ricardo as the 2025 jury chair. His creativity and experience in the advertising arena is extensive, and he has worked with such amazing directors as Wong Kar Wai and Park Chan-wook on projects for Philips and Apple. But the fact that Ricardo has also ‘crossed the line’, that is, he has been successful in both cinema and television, is a huge benefit to us at the YDA.
“For many years we have championed the fact that these talented young directors can and should be thinking beyond traditional advertising and that, branded or not, long-form work is an integral part of the industry. The fact that he is also our first chair from the Asia Pacific region only strengthens our commitment to finding the next generation who can follow in Wong Kar Wai and Park Chan-wook’s footsteps. I’m confident he will inspire the young directors of the upcoming competition, showcasing what’s achievable through innovation, creativity and hard work.”
Enter the YDA 2025 here. Find this year’s categories here.
Winners of the 2025 Young Director Award will be announced at a special ceremony during the week of this year’s Cannes Lions festival, and filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to participate in what is widely regarded as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades for emerging directors.
Previous YDA winners include successful filmmakers as Hanna Maria Heidrich, Emma Branderhorst, Andreas Roth, Salomon Ligthelm, Oscar Hudson and Charlotte Regan.
Deadline dates:
Early Bird Deadline: Friday, 28 February 2025
Main Deadline: Friday, 28 March 2025
Late Deadline: Friday, 9 May 2025
