François Chilot’s passion for finding talent from all over the world led him to found the Young Director Award in 1998, with the support of CFP-E (Commercial Film Producers of Europe), and LES PRODUCERS. The award is managed by LES PRODUCERS, and is now acknowledged as a must-see fringe event to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, celebrating and showcasing the work of the next generation of great directing talent.

YDA’s uniqueness has led it to become a true ground breaker. Every year, the YDA celebrates films from more than 18 categories, and ensures that directors and filmmakers all around the world at the start of their career receive the recognition and exposure they deserve, both from the diverse, international jury, and from audiences worldwide.

Maximizing global media coverage and heightening awareness with various stakeholders and players in the industry, YDA highlights the fact that one of the most essential roles of producers is to discover, nurture and promote directors.

Since its creation, YDA has benefited from the support of a myriad of international partners and sponsors from the world of advertising, production and communication who have consistently teamed up with YDA, to offer commitment, contribution and promotion of YDA’s vision to position gifted young directors on the world stage.

Undeniably future-oriented, YDA regularly welcomes new partners, sponsors, and visionaries on-board, as part of our non-profit strategy to promote new talents to the established creative industy.

Each year, the YDA jury panel includes a host of highly-regarded industry producers, executive creative directors, well-known journalists, managing directors, streaming platform CEOs, screenwriters and established directors of both narrative and commercial media.

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