DEADLINE LOOMS FOR KODAK YOUNG DIRECTORS AWARD

CANNES - Kodak will, once again, support and promote young creative talent in commercial film production through its sponsorship of the Young Director Award established by the Commercial Film Producers of Europe.
Now in its 8th consecutive year, winners of the Young Director Award will be presented on June 21st during the Cannes Lions 53rd Advertising Festival taking place from June 18th – 24th 2006.
With the primary purpose of the Young Director Award being to support and promote young creative talent in commercial film production from anywhere in the world, the young directors will have the chance to get noticed and network with around 8,000 key industry players from across 40 countries all congregating at the festival to view the best in international advertising and creativity.
“We are encouraged by the growing recognition of this event which is evidenced by the increasing number of entries submitted,” says Melanie Jones, Segment Manager, Television Commercial Production, Kodak Entertainment Imaging. “Commercials push the boundaries of visual storytelling and Kodak’s sponsorship of this initiative forms part of our worldwide program to support and recognise talented filmmakers at an early stage of their careers. We welcome this opportunity to focus on the new creative talents of the international advertising industry.”
Deadline for entries is April 20th 2006 and commercials may be entered in one of five categories; test commercials and broadcast, the recently added student category and two new categories, viral commercials and branded short films. Submissions must be one of the first four commercials ever made by the director and student category entries are strictly for students of filmschools.
Categories are further divided into European and non-European with first and second prizes on offer. Effectively, twelve prizes will be awarded with the addition of a Special Jury Award.
To enter, visit: http://www.yda2006.com/