Germany, The US, UK and Denmark lead the finalists in this year’s Young Directors Award (YDA) shortlist. Germany also had a strong showing in this year’s ADCE 2023 Creative Rankings, winning four of the top 10 agency spots as well as becoming top-ranked country.

FINCH director Michael Hili has been shortlisted four times for The Brain Cancer Centre, The Public Diagnosis, with producer, Bryce Lintern, and developed by The Royals. Its shortlist entries are in the Branded Content, Changing the World Frame by Frame, Creative Use of Sound and Documentary categories.

FINCH director, Arundati Thandur, has been shortlisted once for Modibodi, I’m Dying Inside, with producer, Amy Dymond, in the Series > Best Original > under 20 mins category.

This year YDA had a record number of entries. View shortlist here.

YDA has invited the shortlisted directors and the wider YDA community to celebrate in Cannes on June 26 for breakfast, sponsored by its long-term partner shots, outside Cinema Olympia at 9.30am, followed by a screening at 10.30am.

In the evening, YDA’s awards ceremony and beach party will take place at 7:30pm on Le Bénetier Beach. YDA will host its party this year in collaboration with neighbouring German Beach by Weischer.

Tickets are 20€, which includes a pre-screening breakfast, entry to the cinema in the morning and access to the beach in the evening. Buy tickets here.