2023 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.
CREATIVE USE OF HUMOUR
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 in ‘Best Use of Humour’ are also eligible to enter other YDA 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.
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.
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.
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.
ONLINE BRANDED FILM
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.
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.
SUPER SHORT (reduced entry 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 2023
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.