Mal Ward, Partner in and Managing Director of Arts & Sciences, will be 2026 Jury Chair for this year’s event, which sees work created by talented young filmmakers from across the world recognised and awarded at a gala screening in Cannes.
The YDA, which is now in its 29th year, is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards shows for – and accurate indicators of – the next generation of directing talent making its way into the advertising industry and beyond.
The jury for 2026 will feature a host of international advertising and filmmaking luminaries and will be chaired by Ward, who boasts a remarkable career in advertising and beyond.
“Throughout my career, one of the things that has stayed constant is the desire to know what’s new and what’s next in our world of directorial talent,” said Ward. “Who has something to new to say? Who has a new way to say it? Who looks through the lens and can capture the world and tell a story in a way we’ve not seen that excites and inspires us? So much amazing talent has been recognised and discovered through the YDA, so to be asked to help shape and shepherd the show the answer was an easy and resounding YES. I’m honoured to do it and collaborate with Francois [Chilot, YDA President] and our jury to create something special that represents what is exceptional in 2026.”
“To me, the YDA has always been the standard bearer for showcasing the most exciting emerging talent the world over. And the fact that it’s in Cannes, where the best work in the world is honoured, only serves to set the highest bar possible. This show’s importance to the advertising community cannot be understated. One of the truths that inspires and motivates me is that, despite the myriad of changes our industry has – and is – going through, the passion and desire for new talent and new voices never wanes. We crave it and need it to always be pushing the craft, in whatever form it takes, forward.”
The YDA has always been the standard bearer for showcasing the most exciting emerging talent the world over.
Mal Ward, Arts & Sciences
Last year’s Chairperson [Ricardo Adolfo] was from Asia, so this year we wanted to look west. Many great production companies from the States have supported us over the years and, more recently, many others have joined as YDA Ambassadors, championing our cause, so we wanted to show our recognition to that part of the world. As Managing Director and one of the founders of Arts & Sciences, Mal is a great person to have as the Chair, and he is widely known for his long-standing commitment to developing emerging directors.
The work Arts & Sciences creates – from award-winning commercials to original films – reflects a true dedication to a high standard of storytelling. Mal’s active role within his company and the industry at large speaks to our shared belief in supporting new talent, working across formats, and uniting the producers’ community around common aims. Mal also currently serves as the Vice Chairperson on the AICP National Board, which is particularly meaningful for us as the US producers’ community has been a vital supporter of YDA, and this support is essential as we continue to strengthen and expand our presence in key regions such as Latin America and Asia.
Mal’s active role within his company and the industry at large speaks to our shared belief in supporting new talent, working across formats, and uniting the producers’ community around common aims.
The work Mal and his company has done shows that he’s someone who knew, even a long time ago, that it was important to move beyond advertising, to creating powerful movies like His Three Daughters. Even the name of the company shows that he knows about the business because, of course, art and science is exactly what we look to create; we’re not executors of agency or client will, but artists. We welcome Mal to the YDA 2026, he knows and recognises what great production is, and we are so pleased to have him involved this year.
The YDA attracts hundreds of global entrants each year, celebrating and rewarding new directors from across the globe. Previous YDA winners include such talented and successful filmmakers as
Hanna Maria Heidrich,
Emma Branderhorst,
Andreas Roth,
Salomon Ligthelm,
Oscar Hudson,
Charlotte Regan, and many more.
Winners of the 2026 Young Director Award will be announced at a special ceremony during the week of this year’s Cannes Lions festival, and filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to participate in what is widely regarded as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades for emerging directors.
Entries for YDA 2026 open Thursday 22 January.
