Ricardo Adolfo, ECD at TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo, has been announced as the chair for this year’s Young Director Award as the competition opens for entries.
The Young Director Award, organised in association with shots, has announced that Ricardo Adolfo, the ECD at TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo, will be this year’s jury chair.
The YDA, which is now in its 28th year, is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards shows for – and accurate indicators of – the next generation of directing talent making its way into the advertising industry and beyond.
“..to watch the latest and youngest voices in filmmaking is a true privilege.”
The jury for 2025 will feature a host of international advertising and filmmaking luminaries and will be chaired by Adolfo, who boasts a remarkable career in advertising, with his work recognised at Cannes, D&AD, The One Show, Spikes and Madstars, among many others.
A man of many talents
As well as a formidable background in advertising, Adolfo has also written feature film scripts, including Saint George, which was an official selection at the Venice Film Festival – Horizons in 2016, and Great Yarmouth – Provisional Figures, which was an official selection at the San Sebastian Film Festival in 2022. Additionally, Adolfo has written four novels as well as the script for cult Portuguese TV series Sara, winner of Best Series, Portuguese Academy in 2019.
“To have the opportunity to watch the latest and youngest voices in filmmaking is a true privilege,” said Adolfo. “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.”
Crossing the line
“I’m delighted to welcome Ricardo as the 2025 jury chair,” said Chilot. “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.”
Read the interview with Victoria Warmerdam 2024’s Special Jury Prize winner, I’m Not a Robot, which has been longlisted for the 2025 Oscars.
Open for entries
The YDA attracts hundreds of global entrants each year, celebrating and rewarding new directors from across the globe. Previous YDA winners include such talented and successful filmmakers as Hanna Maria Heidrich, Emma Branderhorst, Andreas Roth, Salomon Ligthelm, Oscar Hudson, Charlotte Regan, and many more.
Entries are now open for this year’s event, with a list of categories available 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.
