NEW AUSTRALASIAN DIRECTORS SOUGHT FOR SAATCHI & SAATCHI SHOWCASE AT CANNES

New directors from the worlds of advertising, short film, music videos, animation and title production who want a shot at international exposure are being invited to submit entries for screening at one of the world’s most prestigious advertising events.
Each year Saatchi & Saatchi leads an international search for new directors to feature at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, held in Cannes in June.
The result – the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase – has become one of the highlights of the annual festival and is the best attended event after the gala ceremonies.
Previous featured directors have included Spike Jonze, David La Chappelle, Tarsem, Michel Gondry, Danny Kleinman and Jonathan Glazer.
Mike O’Sullivan, Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Creative Director, says the Showcase gives new directors the chance to shine in an international setting: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for Australian and New Zealand directors to get onto the global stage and be seen by some of the world’s top creatives. Anybody who can submit an entry should!”
To qualify, directors must have been shooting commercials for less than two years. They may also have been directing short films, music promos, titles or animation, and may not have even produced any commercials as yet. But they must be available to direct commercials now.
To enter, new directors should submit a DVD format showreel which may include any or all of the following: commercials, short films, music videos, animation, titles or new filmic techniques.
Entries will then be shortlisted for viewing by Saatchi & Saatchi’s Worldwide Creative Board, and a New Directors’ Showcase reel compiled for screening at Cannes. The Board makes its final selections based on the ability of a director to execute an idea on screen, an innovative technique or style and outstanding directorial skill.
To enter, New Zealand directors should send a DVD reel to Mike O’Sullivan in the Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland office. Australian directors should send reels to Steve Back, Saatchi & Saatchi Australia Executive Creative Director, in the Sydney office. All reels must be labelled “New Directors’ Showcase 2008” and be received by 17 April.
This year’s New Directors’ Showcase will take place Thursday 19 June, in the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals, Cannes.