By making an entry, you agree that:.
- The film is one of your first SIX (6) commercials/films in the category.
- The entrant (director) has had no more than three years professional experience as a director.
- The film has been released after January 1st 2023.
- By entering the film in this competition, you accept the terms and conditions below.
REGIONS
Please indicate the region where the film has been produced, not the director’s nationality.
- Europe
- Northern America
- Latin America
- Asia Pacific
- Africa
- Middle East
CATEGORIES
ANIMATION
Films entered into this category can be entirely animated or can combine live action filmmaking with animation. In the latter case, note that a substantial part of the film must be animated.Traditional animation is welcomed, alongside CGI.
Films of any length can be entered into this category.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
BRANDED CONTENT
This category is open to long-format branded films which have been produced for an online campaign.
Entries into this category must be longer than 120 seconds.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
CHANGING THE WORLD FRAME BY FRAME
“So how do we move forward in these uncertain times? The only answer …is to embrace more creativity.”
Advertising legend, Sir John Hegarty, conceived of ‘Changing the world frame by frame’ some 10 years ago. Designed at the time to show that advertising could affect positive societal change, the category now takes on bigger dimensions.
Whether a documentary, a short-film or indeed a commercial, we want to see films which hold a mirror up to the social and environmental preoccupations of the world today.
Following Hegarty’s words, it is essential that creativity be embraced by filmmakers as they propose an artistic vision of the future.
Films of any nature or length can be entered into this category.
CHARITY COMMERCIAL
Films commissioned to promote public service, non-governmental organisation, fundraising, public health, public awareness promotions.
Films of any length can be entered into this category.
COMEDY
Humour has been used to sell everything from beers to beds, from peanuts to political parties, and we want to see the finest, fiercest and, of course, funniest use of comedy.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
COMMERCIAL
A commercial which has been commissioned by a brand.
The film can have been produced for any platform; television, cinema, social media or an online campaign.
The maximum length of eligible entries is 120 seconds.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
CREATIVE USE OF SOUND
“Sound is fifty percent of a film, at least. In some scenes it’s almost a hundred percent.”
Or so said David Lynch.
From compelling music, to expressive use of sound effects or even an original song, this category is dedicated to the artistry of audio.
Films of any length can be entered into this category.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
DOCUMENTARY
We are looking for directors who can use film to create an authentic representation of reality, and who use different cinematic techniques to evoke a subject. These films should seek to bring the reality of the subject closer to its audience.
Documentaries of any length can be entered into this category.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
FILM SCHOOL
Films eligible for this category must be the work of a student.
There are two sub-categories based on film length:
- Up to 10 minutes
- 10 minutes and over
For submissions over 10 minutes you MUST also supply a teaser/trailer, edited or cut version (5 minutes or less) which may be shown at the winners ceremony, in place of the full film.
Films entered into Film School can also be entered into other categories
MUSIC VIDEO
Music is the main attraction in this category.
Entries should be commissioned by an artist, management or label to promote music projects.
This category is not dedicated to music driven video art or personal passion projects.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
PASSION PROJECT
Personally-inspired and NOT commissioned, these films are made by individuals or a creative team whose passion for filmmaking shines through in their projects. In this category, the filmmaker has complete freedom to be experimental and imaginative.
Films of any length can be entered into this category.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
SERIES
This category is dedicated to the rising art-form of the series. There are two sub-categories when entering; Best Original Series and Best Series Pilot. In both cases we want to see ingenious concepts which have been brought to life thanks to masterful direction.
SUPER SHORT (reduced fee)
Films should not be longer than 60 seconds, therefore, content created for social media naturally falls within this category.
Although films can be branded, they should prioritise storytelling over branding.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
SHORT FILM
This category is open to fiction and non-fiction films, including documentaries.
There are two sub-categories based on film length:
- Up to 10 minutes
- 10 minutes and over
For submissions over 10 minutes you MUST also supply a teaser/trailer, edited or cut version (5 minutes or less) which may be shown at the winners ceremony, in place of the full film.
Films entered into Short School can also be entered into other categories.
VIDEO ART
In this category, we want to see daring expressions of video art. Work should move the viewer like a painting, and realistically can be imagined as part of an art installation.
The video art category is open to non-branded, purely artistic work. This work can be an independent project or can have been commissioned by a patron.
Films of any length can be entered into this category.
Films entered into this category can also be entered into other categories.
DREAMPITCH
Directors are at the heart of what the YDA is about, but many of those directors would be lost without the scripts from which they work.
At the centre of every good film is a great idea that has come ahead of anything else, and a truly great idea doesn’t need an essay to explain it.
We are looking for great ideas that can be pitched in a maximum of 100 words; words which will inspire our international jury of industry experts and creatives, and could go on to attract the attention of an agency/brand/streaming platform/producer and, of course, a director.
You can enter Dreampitch ideas for the following categories:
– Changing the World Frame by Frame
– Branded Film (of any length)
– Short Film
– Series
ADDITIONAL AWARD
PRODUCERS AWARD
The Producer’s Award celebrates the production company that has contributed the most to developing young directorial talent over the last year. Any production company (excluding educational institutions) that has submitted work to any of the YDA 2023 categories will automatically be entered for the award.
The winner will then be decided based on the points awarded for entries they are credited on, across ALL their entries:
2 points for each shortlisted entry
5 points for each Silver winner
8 points for each Gold winner
10 points for the Special Jury award.
Where the same film is awarded more than once then only the highest scoring award will count towards the over all winner.
The entrant with the highest total score will be given the YDA Producer’s Award 2023.
ELIGIBILITY
- Directors must have had no more than three years professional experience (as a director).
- Entries must be one of the director’s first SIX (6) pieces of work ever made in the category.
- Films must have a release date after January 1st 2023.
- The permission of all copyright owners must be obtained for entry into competition.
- Where possible please obscure all director and producer CREDITS from the film.
- If the submitted film is in a foreign language it’s in your own interest to include English subtitles.
- Campaigns consisting of several films can be entered but only as individual films. Each film will be judged individually.
- Films directed by a team of directors can be entered. Each director must, however, fulfil the above criteria.
- Credits for entries should be submitted via the online form.
- The award organisers are entitled to exclude films not fulfilling the above criteria.
- The award organisers are entitled to move an entry to a more appropriate category if necessary.
- To enter the competition the film must be submitted with completed entry form and payment through this entry site before the final deadline.
- Entries MUST not exceed 60 minutes in length, some categories have other time restrictions.
ENTERING THE FILM
- The film and a thumbnail image must be uploaded through this website. Longer format entries should also supply a teaser/trailer, edited or cut version (5 minutes or less) to be used for a final judging review and at the winners ceremony.
- The desired resolution is HD 1920 x 1080
- The format of the film upload should be .mov or .mp4 (thumbnail image is a .jpg)
- When entering a film, the online entry form must be completed, including declarations stating: That this is one of the first SIX (6) commercials/film projects made by the director in the category, and that the film has been released after January 1st 2023.
- The entry process is not complete until the administration fee is paid.
- If you are paying by Bank Transfer (available on request) you must pay within 5 working days of submitting the order for your entries.
JUDGING
- The initial judging session will be organized online in mid May.
- The final judging for 2024 will be in late June.
SHORTLIST & WINNERS
- A shortlist will be selected in late May from all the films entered.
- Shortlisted directors will be informed directly and published on the main site and instagram.
- If trophies cannot be collected in person, winners will have to pay for the postage of their trophy or trophies by international courier.
- Winners may be required to supply additional material for any promotional publications and screenings held after the YDA Show.
TREATMENT & PUBLICATION
- Entrants authorize the YDA to screen or publish the film or any clips or stills from the film in connection with the promotion of the competition on all media.
- Entrants may be required to supply additional material of any winning work for promotional publication or exhibition.
- Entrants agree to hold YDA not liable for any claim that may be made against them by reason of any such screenings or publication.
- Entrants authorize YDA’s sponsors and partners to publish/share details of their work. Including on their website and/or Social Media and being featured in a shots slate reel after the winners ceremony.
