2026 Categories
ANIMATION
Animation offers a distinct canvas for exploring and expanding the boundaries of storytelling. Films may be fully animated or combine live action with animation. In the latter case, a substantial part of the film must be animated. Both traditional animation and CGI are welcome.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
BRANDED CONTENT
This category is open to long-format branded films highlighting a brand, organisation or cause, including fashion films and NGO work.
Entries must be longer than 120 seconds.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
CHANGING THE WORLD FRAME BY FRAME
Inspired by Sir John Hegarty’s belief in creativity as a force for progress, this category welcomes films that reflect social, cultural or environmental concerns shaping the world today. Whether documentary, short film or commercial, the jury looks for creative ambition and a clear point of view on the world we live in and the future we are moving towards.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
CHARITY COMMERCIAL
This category is open to commissioned films created for public service, NGOs, fundraising, public health and awareness campaigns. Through strong storytelling, these films aim to inspire engagement and positive change.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
COMMERCIAL
This category is open to commercials commissioned by brands and produced for television, cinema, online or social platforms.
Entries must not exceed 120 seconds.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
COMEDY
Humour has long been a powerful tool for storytelling and communication. This category celebrates the strongest, boldest and most distinctive use of comedy across all formats.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
CREATIVE USE OF SOUND
From music and sound design to voice and original compositions, this category celebrates outstanding and imaginative use of sound as a core storytelling element.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
DOCUMENTARY
This category is open to directors using film to create authentic and engaging representations of reality. The jury looks for strong cinematic direction and a clear relationship between subject and storytelling.
There are two sub-categories based on film length:
– Up to 10 minutes
– 10 minutes and over
Films may also be entered into other categories.
FILM SCHOOL
This category is open exclusively to student work.
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 may also be entered into other categories.
MUSIC VIDEO
This category is open to music videos commissioned by an artist, management or record label to promote a music release.
This category is not intended for non-commissioned or purely experimental video art.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
PASSION PROJECT
This category is open to non-commissioned, personally driven projects by directors or creative teams. It celebrates creative freedom, experimentation and personal expression.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
SUPER SHORT (reduced entry fee)
This category is open to films with a maximum duration of 60 seconds. Content created for social media naturally fits within this category.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
SHORT FILM
This category is open to fiction and non-fiction short 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 may also be entered into other categories.
VIDEO ART
This category is open to non-branded video art with a clear artistic intention. Work should move the viewer as a visual artwork and can be imagined as part of an exhibition or installation context.
Films may also be entered into other categories.
DREAM PITCH
Dream Pitch is dedicated to the very beginning of a film or series . A place where a story starts to take shape before it becomes a script.
This category highlights strong narrative ideas, characters and worlds in their earliest form, focusing on storytelling intent rather than finished execution. Dream Pitch is for directors who are exploring the first articulation of a story and want to share its core vision before it is locked into script or production.
Submissions should be concise and clearly written, allowing the jury to quickly understand the essence of the idea and the direction it could grow into.
A Dream Pitch submission should include the following elements:
- Logline
A one or two sentence summary capturing the core idea of the story. - Synopsis
A short description of the narrative and main characters (maximum 100 words). - Format / Genre
The intended format (e.g. short film, series, feature film, music video, commercial) and genre. - Director’s Intention
A brief description of what draws you to this story and how you imagine it unfolding.
Optional elements may include visual references, mood boards or comparable works, if they help communicate tone and ambition.
Dream Pitch is judged on originality, clarity and storytelling instinct. The jury is not evaluating a finished script or development material, but the strength of the idea and its potential to grow into a compelling film or series.
FIRST FEATURE FILM
This category is dedicated to a director’s first feature-length film. A feature film is defined as a completed work with a running time between 60 and 120 minutes.
The submitted film must be the director’s first feature-length production.
Previous work in short films, documentaries, commercials, music videos or series does not count as a feature film.
The jury evaluates directing, storytelling ambition and the transition into long-form cinematic work.
FIRST SERIES
This category is dedicated to a director’s first series production.
A series is defined as a completed original work, scripted or non-scripted, produced for long-form serial storytelling. Entries may be submitted either as a full series or as a completed pilot episode. A pilot is defined as the first episode of a series, produced to establish tone, format and narrative or thematic direction, not as a pitch or development project.
A full series submission must include a minimum of two completed episodes, in order to allow the jury to assess serial structure and consistency in directing, without requiring a full season.
Previous work in short films, feature films, documentaries, commercials or music videos does not count as series experience.
The jury evaluates directing, tone, structure and long-form execution.
ADDITIONAL AWARD
PRODUCERS AWARD 2025
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 2025 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 overall winner.
The entrant with the highest total score will be given the YDA Producer’s Award 2025.