McCann India has introduced Fresh Take 2026, an initiative to identify and nurture the next generation of advertising film directors in the country. Developed with D&AD and Mothership Productions, the programme is a career accelerator for early-stage directorial talent.
The initiative is open to ad film directors within their first three years of work, with entries open until July 10, 2026. Applicants can submit up to five pieces of work created between June 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026, showcasing storytelling ability, creative voice and craft.
The winner will receive a fully sponsored trip to the D&AD Festival 2027, along with commissions for two projects with McCann India over 12 months, offering global exposure and hands-on commercial experience. Two runners-up will get complimentary access to D&AD’s “Storytelling for Action” online masterclasses for mentorship and skill-building.
Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer at McCann India, said the industry has increasingly relied on established talent, and Fresh Take aims to reverse that by bringing young storytellers into focus.
Donal Keenan, COO of D&AD, said nurturing emerging talent aligns with the organisation’s global focus on creative education, adding that the programme will spotlight promising Indian voices internationally.
Kashif Memon, Founder and Executive Producer at Mothership Productions, called the initiative an opportunity to surface under-recognised talent while pushing young directors to sharpen their creative and commercial instincts.
Entries will be judged by a jury spanning advertising, filmmaking and content, with winners announced on August 7, 2026, marking the close of the programme’s first edition.
