Mumbai, 24 June 2026: McCann India announced Fresh Take 2026, a new initiative created to discover and champion the emerging directors shaping the future of Indian advertising.
Developed in partnership with D&AD, the globally renowned authority on creative excellence, and Mothership Productions, one of India’s leading production & post-production companies, Fresh Take 2026 aims to provide promising directors the opportunity to accelerate their creative careers.
The initiative is open to ad film directors who are within the first three years of their directorial career. Entries are now open and will be accepted until Friday, 10th July 2026.
Entrants are invited to submit up to five pieces of work directed by them between 1st June 2023 and 30th June 2026, showcasing their creative voice, storytelling ability and craft. The works submitted must have been created during a director’s first three years of directorial career. Entry submissions can be made via the official Fresh Take 2026 application form: https://forms.gle/PfDUsfB5H1zgxo9q7
The winner will be awarded a paid trip to D&AD Festival 2027, offering access to one of the world’s most influential gatherings of creative talent and industry leaders. In addition, the winner will be commissioned for two projects at McCann India over a 12-month period to strengthen their professional portfolio through live commercial work.
The two runners-up will receive complimentary access to the D&AD Online Masterclasses ‘Storytelling for Action’, enabling them to further sharpen their craft through world-class learning and industry-led mentorship.
Speaking about Fresh Take 2026, Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer, McCann India, said, “Discovering talent had always been a big part of the advertising industry. We’ve discovered and given good talent to a lot of other creative industries. But over the last few years, we’ve started leaning increasingly into the tried and tested. This is a small way for us to bring back the same. Young talent who may lead us into the future of storytelling and film making.”
Donal Keenan, COO, D&AD, said, “Supporting the next generation of up-and-coming talent is so important. It’s valuable work that D&AD delivers very well across its learning and talent programmes globally, so we are delighted to partner with McCann in India to continue to champion and celebrate talent from the region. I wish all entrants the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the winners at the D&AD Festival 2027.”
Kashif Memon, Founder & Executive Producer, Mothership Productions added, “Fresh Take 2026 is an eye-opener for agencies and budding ad filmmakers alike, built on McCann India’s scale and Mothership Productions’ mission to bring young talent to the fore. This high-stakes award show forces the industry to notice young and largely unexplored voices, while challenging these relatively newer directors to win a paid trip to D&AD by proving they understand exactly what ticks and what sells. What’s not to love!”
Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising leading creative and production professionals from across the advertising, filmmaking and content ecosystem.
Programme Timeline:
- Submission Deadline: Friday, 10th July 2026
- Winners Announcement: Friday, 7th August 2026
