Proving that the 25th anniversary of its legendary New Directors’ Showcase (NDS) is a moveable feast, last night Saatchi & Saatchi held an exclusive screening at the Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street).
After a successful premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, local NYC audiences had the chance to see the New Directors’ Showcase in MoMA’s largest available viewing space, the Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1. The screening featured “25X25”: an experiment in film directed by 25 NDS alumni who have gone on to be recognized for their enormously successful film, television, and advertising careers.
With a number of Saatchi & Saatchi clients, including Procter & Gamble, Mondelez, and Chase, represented in the audience, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi New York Brent Smart welcomed guests before the start of the screening.
Introducing the film to a capacity audience, Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide Director of Film & Content and Curator of the NDS Andy Gulliman said, “Nothing Is Impossible…taking this to heart, we asked 25 acclaimed directors to make a one minute film riffing off a prop or motif from their original work. Many people told me ‘it’ll never happen.’"
The esteemed “25x25” directors who said ‘Yes!’ to the call were: Daniel Kleinman, Dawn Shadforth, Floria Sigismondi, Jonathan Glazer, Michel Gondry, Ivan Zacharias, Traktor, Dante Ariola, Ringan Ledwidge, Antoine Bardou-Jacquet, Carl Erik Rinsch, Noam Murro, Tim Bullock, Dougal Wilson, James Rouse, Jamie Rafn, Fredrik Bond, Philippe Andre, Jake Scott, Ne-o, David Wilson, Daniel Wolfe, Ilya Naishuller, Vania Heymann, and Charlie Robins. The “25X25” film held the audience in rapt attention during its 25-minute running time.
John Doris, Director of Content Production at Saatchi & Saatchi New York, closed the screening with a special thanks to those involved with “25X25” and stars of the NDS who were in attendance, including; “25X25” directors Vania Heymann, Floria Sigismondi and Carl Erik Rinsch; and directors featured on the NDS 2015 Showreel; Chandler Levack, co-director of “Guilt Trip”, and Maria Takeuchi & Frederico Phillips, co-directors of “as-phyx-ia”; plus star of NDS 2015 featured short film ‘The Gunfighter’ Shawn Parsons.
A special after-party for guests was held across the street at China Grill.
This special New York City industry event hosted by Saatchi & Saatchi New York was sponsored by industry partners Corbis, Catch & Release, Massive Music, Method Studios, @radical media, Work Editorial, and The Mill.