On June 25th during the YDA Award Ceremony in Cannes, Matt Miller, President and CEO of AICP, had the pleasure of presenting the receivers of the innagural AICP Emerging Voices Grants.
The grant recipients, selected from among the winning films of 2026, were chosen by the YDA Ambassadors and went to Daria Maximova and Lunga “steezus” Mthombeni.
Created in collaboration with AICP (the Association of Independent Commercial Producers), and managed by the DGA Commercials Qualification Administration, the grants combine recognition, mentorship and career development opportunities along with the prize of $15.000 – designed to help exceptional emerging directors take the next step in their careers.
Both grants, the Women’s Voices Career Grant and the Underrepresented Voices Career Grant, are intended to support women and people from other historically underrepresented groups by widening their opportunities to develop careers in the directing craft.
“The AICP and DGA committed to support emerging directorial talent from underrepresented groups over 10 years ago. The YDA, in its 29th year, is a showcase and competition unlike any other for directors in the beginning stages of their careers.
This seemed like a natural partnership and the idea that we can further their careers by giving them some financial support and mentorship by production companies who are DGA Signatories is truly a win-win.”
– Matt Miller, AICP President & CEO
Daria Maximova
Lunga “steezus” Mthombeni
Establishing these grants marks an absolute highlight across YDA’s entire history, especially as it also points toward the future dreams and ambitions for what YDA can be, as the award for young directors across the globe. YDA has always been a champion of young talent, and partnering with AICP and DGA to support emerging storytellers directly with mentorships and financial aid is a major milestone after 29 years of supporting and nurturing directors making their way into the entertainment and advertising world.
Daniel Bergmann of Stink, Anna Hashmi of The Corner Shop and Mal Ward of Arts & Sciences will serve as mentors to the grant recipients, to help support the use of the grant money and supervise the directors going forward.
Recipients and mentors will be invited to share how the grant was used at YDA 2027, including what was achieved during the year and how the Emerging Voices Grant contributed to furthering the work and career of the directors.
Read announcement at shots.
