The Young Director Award (YDA) is proud to shine a spotlight on some of the 2026 jury – an exceptional group of film producers and creative leaders whose work continues to shape the global landscape of narrative and commercial storytelling and they are ready to view YOUR work.
Mal Ward – Arts & Sciences (USA)
The 2026 jury Chair is a producer celebrated for his refined visual language and emotionally resonant storytelling across both commercial and cinema. Ward’s recent work includes a string of feature films, including the 2023 drama His Three Daughters, starring Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne and which scored 10 wins and 19 nominations across north American film festivals. Currently, he’s developing Dreamquil, a feature starring Elizabeth Banks and John C. Reilly.
Youji Noh – TBWA\Media Arts Lab (South Korea),
A creative force known for crafting globally recognised campaigns. She has been instrumental in Media Arts Lab’s Seoul’s creative evolution, leading celebrated work including ‘Shot on iPhone’, which included a 30-minute short Life Is But a Dream directed by Park Chan-wook, shot entirely on iPhone.
Rocky Morton – MJZ (USA)
As co-creator of the iconic Max Headroom character and a director of groundbreaking commercials, Morton has long been at the forefront of visual experimentation. His contributions to early CGI storytelling and music videos for artists like Miles Davis, George Harrison or Talking Heads helped define a generation of creative innovation, while his commercial work continues to influence directors worldwide.
Saskia Kok – Bonkers (Netherlands)
Saskia represents a new wave of bold, visually driven filmmaking. Known for her vibrant, high-energy aesthetic, Bonkers is behind standout campaigns for the likes of Google and Amazon and their work has been featured at major festivals and praised for its fearless embrace of colour, movement, and contemporary culture.
Juan Aura – Teté Films (Mexico)
Brings a distinctive voice rooted in cinematic storytelling and Latin American sensibility. As a seasoned producer and creative executive, he has produced eight feature films, over thirty seasons of scripted TV shows earning him Cannes Lions, Grammy nominations and also Primetime Emmys for Seal Team.
Catherine Tiernan – Metropolitan Pictures (Ireland)
An award-winning producer whose career spans some of the industry’s most ambitious and high-profile productions. Tiernan has overseen major productions, including the 2022 hit The Banshees of Inisherin which earned nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
The 2026 YDA jury represents a powerful cross-section of global creativity. These are the people who have the power to spot and nurture young, up-and-coming directors.
Stay tuned for more highlights of the 2026 jury who are ready to champion the next wave of directing talent.
