COUNTDOWN TO CANNES: HOT YOUNG TALENT WANTED FOR SAATCHI & SAATCHI NEW DIRECTORS' SHOWCASE

Saatchi & Saatchi has launched their official call for entries to this year’s prestigious New Directors’ Showcase, one of the advertising industry’s most coveted events. This annual global search for the best new directorial talent aims to identify and promote the best directors of the future. Directors are eligible for consideration if they have been directing commercials for no more than two years. From those considered – over 500 reels and 2000 individual pieces – a shortlist will be reviewed by Saatchi & Saatchi’s Worldwide Creative Board, which includes Sydney ECD David Nobay, to make the final selections for the Showcase. The Showcase will be screened by Saatchi & Saatchi offices globally, following its premiere screening at the Cannes Lions Festival in June.
Last year the only director to make the Showcase from Australia/New Zealand was The Sweet Shop's Kezia Barnett (pictured). Her producer, Paul Prince, commented: “The Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors' Showcase is one of the most credible forums for promoting fresh directing talent. Being a global search and featuring anything from new short film, music, commercial to animation directors, it's no wonder this showcase is the most popular event at Cannes. Over the years the true greats in the game have been featured in this forum - Traktor, Gondry, Cunningham; people take notice of this showcase. After directing just three commercials, young Kezia Barnett was featured in the showcase; then followed a steady stream of scripts, international recognition and back to back jobs. Kezia's inclusion into this showcase in 2005 was both an honour and can be considered to be a cornerstone in her career as a commercial director.”
Adds Ali Grant, Head of TV Production at Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney: “We receive many reels to review and the reality is that very few make Nobby’s list to our Worldwide Creative Board. In essence, we are looking for something VERY special and it may be in the form, for example, of a short film, music video, idents, visual design, or spec work that hasn’t yet been broadcast.”
The Worldwide Creative Board makes its decision based on the following characteristics:
The ability of the director to execute an idea on screen.
An innovative technique or style.
Outstanding directorial skill.
Entries: Send reels (on DVD) by 31 March, 2006. Please label clearly as “New Directors’ Showcase 2006” and include your contact details.

Address to:
Kate Whitfield,
Saatchi & Saatchi,
70 George Street,
THE ROCKS NSW 2000

whitfiek@saatchi.com.au