Cannes - Today, Saatchi & Saatchi presented a line up of the world's best new directing talent at the 18th Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors' Showcase.
The audience was treated to an eclectic visual roller coaster by 19 fearless new talents.
As in previous years, the Showcase was wrapped up in a theme - "Fearless" this year - a clear reference to a key attribute necessary for a new director to succeed.
The theme was brought to life with a performance from the world famous theatrical show Fuerzabruta, whose usual stage act was customised for the Showcase.
The 'running man' in their stage show became a would-be director, fearlessly overcoming obstacles - both human and inanimate - which could prevent him breaking into directing. Ultimately he makes it, by launching himself from the top of a ladder and smashing, symbolically, through a wall of 'televisions'.
This was the cue for the reel of new directors to be screened. The host of the Showcase, Saatchi & Saatchi's Worldwide Creative Director, Bob Isherwood, commented on this year's crop of new directors.
"There's an encouraging sign this year, that a number of big brands are putting their faith in new directing talent. We've also seen a significant renaissance of the creative promo - no longer just performing pack shots. And, it's probably true to say that, in a number of cases, a lack of budget is more than compensated for by a wealth of imagination. These directors are truly fearless, both in the subject matter they work with and in terms of the technical challenges they set themselves."
The featured directors are selected from over 500 reels submitted through Saatchi & Saatchi's 150 offices worldwide. This year, just 19 directors made the final cut. An indication of the high standard set.
The Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors' Showcase has become one of the most popular events during the Cannes Lions Festival. Again this year, it took place in The Grand Auditorium, and there was a live video link to The Debussy Theatre for the overspill audience. Following its successful launch last year, the Showcase was again webcast on the Cannes Lions website.
You can watch the full Showcase, including Bob Isherwood's opening remarks and Fuerzabruta's exhilarating performance, at www.canneslions.com/saatchinewdirectors/
The featured directors are also viewable at http://www.youtube.com/nds