What makes a successful YDA edition are the outstanding films, the exceptional jury, the community gathering in Cannes — and at the heart of it all, the partners who help make it possible. YDA is proud to welcome back Simon & Paul as a Prime Sponsor for 2026.
Simon & Paul has been a long-standing supporter and close partner of YDA, consistently championing bold creative voices and distinctive directorial talent. Recent work from the company reflects that spirit through projects that combine strong visual storytelling with cultural relevance and craft driven execution.
A standout example is the new campaign „Young Clients” for LVM Versicherung, directed by Alice Kunisue. Across ten films, the campaign takes an intentionally different approach from the conventions of modern advertising: no exaggerated promises, no urgency, no relentless noise. Instead, the films create moments of pause, lightness and subtle surrealism, from a dust particle floating endlessly through the air to snacks eaten upside down or a basketball flying through a ventilator. Rather than telling traditional insurance stories, the campaign builds atmospheric, unexpected vignettes that invite audiences to slow down and look again.
Alongside commercial work, Simon & Paul continues to support socially engaged filmmaking through projects that combine cinematic storytelling with social and environmental relevance. Recent examples include Oliver Bernotat’s pro bono campaign for the Hamburg climate initiative Hamburger Zukunftsentscheid, which supported the public vote advocating for Hamburg to become climate neutral by 2040, and Tobias Paul’s Greenpeace collaboration focused on rainforest protection. Both projects highlight the company’s continued interest in meaningful storytelling beyond traditional commercial work, using strong visual craft to engage with broader cultural and political conversations.
YDA is delighted to continue this collaboration with Simon & Paul. Support from partners like this remains essential in helping YDA evolve, bring its Cannes events to life, and continue championing the next generation of directing talent.
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