Every year the YDA uncovers young directing talent that was quite simply born to create drama. Check out this year’s launch film by YDA oldboy Rogier Hesp to find out just what kind of upstarts and troublemakers we’re looking for. But be warned. This film features the most terrifying little girl. Seriously. We haven’t slept for three days.

The film was written by creatives Mira Olsson and Minna Lavola from TBWA Helsinki, who have been involved with the YDA since it was founded . It means they’ve really got to watch the awards grow and have developed a real passion for supporting young directing talent.

“We started out with a concept ‘Natural born directors’ ten years ago and decided to evolve it a bit last year to give it a bit more edge,” they explain of the subversive, deadpan film. “The inspiration for the creative comes from the idea that everything one creates comes from observing life around you and some are clearly born with that need.”

Also keeping it in the YDA family was director Rogier Hesp, who was shortlisted in last year’s award. “I think it’s very important that we as young directors have a stage where we can present ourselves and our work. Making is one thing, but you still need audience. I think YDA fulfills that place perfectly,” he says.
Since finishing the Dutch Film Academy and appearing at the YDA, Hesp has had a packed year. He first spent two well-earned months travelling and then signed with up-and-coming company L-A-D-A. He’s even been assisting on feature films and has just started developing his own short film about a teenager in the Dutch rave scene of the nineties.

Hesp had a clear idea about his vision for the script. “I really like the work of UK filmmakers Ken Loach and Shane Meadows. They also inspired me for this commercial. The main thing that attracts me in their movies is that I love how they work with actors who feel real and authentic. You can almost smell them and their environment. Their reliability makes the drama better,” he explains.

So fancy camerawork and a cinematic score were out – hand held cameras and super subtle sound design were in. The film was produced by Caviar Amsterdam and Hesp’s directing home L-A-D-A were involved too – and they had to contend with the added challenge of shooting in the snow.

The star of the film is undoubtedly the rather creepy little girl – and Hesp reveals that she was only cast two days before the shoot after the lead dropped out.
“When I was casting her I immediately realised that she was the one!” he says. “ Most important thing was that she was really intelligent; she understood what we were doing. Second thing is that she dared. In the casting I asked all the kids to sing their favourite song. Some of them were too scared.”

So it seems that Olsson, Lavola and Hesp might well have discovered an acting star of the future. But we’re more excited about the potential directing stars of the future who could see their career kick-started at this year’s YDA. Question is – will it be you?

To find out more about entering the Young Director Award 2010 go to the YDA website or check out this blog post.