Izzy Ashton
Rosanna Peng bowls a perfect game against the YDA competition
Canadian director Rosanna Peng picked up a Gold in the YDA Dreampitch: Short Film category with her pitch for Bowling Bao. Here, she chats to Izzy Ashton about bowling teams from the 1980's, women taking up space in male-dominated arenas, and future projects.
YDA winner Vincent Rene-Lortie talks away the dark
Director Vincent Rene-Lortie picked up a Gold in the YDA Charity Commercial category with Talk Away The Dark. Here, he chats to Izzy Ashton about the difficult shoot, solving lighting issues, and international casting calls...
Naghmeh Pour's YDA-winning cry for freedom
Copenhagen-based Iranian director Naghmeh Pour won a Gold Screen in Online Branded Film for Iran-e Man, a collaboration between new–land, the WomanLifeFreedom project and fashion brand Pairi Daeza. Here she discusses her journey as a director and the bravery and beauty in her poetic film’s expression of struggle.
Neil Ferron fishes on dark shores for his YDA win
After picking up a Gold Screen in the Film School (10 minutes and over) category for his comedy short film Fishmonger, director Neil Ferron tells Izzy Ashton the tale of the lonely and pathetic, Christie O’Mallaghan.
YDA winner Sinan Sevinç on weaving powerful parallel narratives
Sinan Sevinç's heart-rending short film Split Second scooped up a staggering five YDA wins this year, taking home the Special Jury Prize, three Gold and one Silver awards. He talks to Izzy Ashton about the technicalities of telling three stories in one film, and the attention to detail required on set to accurately represent historical events.
YDA winner Lucas Parra on match cuts and memorable moments
Bagging a gold in the Film School (up to 10 minutes) category, Lucas Parra’s spot for the Catalonian School of Cinema and Audio, This is ESCAC, was inspired by some of cinema’s most famous frames including falling men, knives and petals.
YDA winner Linda-Schiwa Klinkhammer on patriarchy and perspective
Director Linda-Schiwa Klinkhammer picked up a Gold in the YDA Dreampitch: Changing the World Frame by Frame category with her pitch for I Think I Hate My Father. Here, she chats to Izzy Ashton about creating multidimensional characters, exploring family dynamics, and examining cultural differences.
Jing Ai Ng tells us how a passion for the Delta Chinese community led to a YDA
Winning Gold in the Passion Project category, Jing Ai Ng's Asian American folk story Delta is rooted in observations around heritage. Here, she tells shots how instinct, influence and Instagram helped form the film.
Jan Vrhovnik on turning back the clock for a YDA win
With Edi, Jan Vrhovnik's glorious tribute to his childhood hero, the filmmaker drew upon his cinematography prowess to refine his directorial style. Here, he talks to shots about finding his own POV when telling stories.
Florian Reittner's helping hand
Director Florian Reittner picked up a Gold Screen in the Super Short category at this year's Young Director Award. Here, he explains how the absurdity of life aligned with the sadness of a funeral inspired him, and why the subject of a film should not determine its mood.
Aziz Zoromba's instinctual storytelling
After his short film, Simo, picked up Gold in the Short Film (10 minutes or above) category at this year's Young Director Award, director Aziz Zoromba reveals the inspiration behind it, and why the most important lesson he's learned is to trust his instinct.
Victoria Singh-Thompson on their Lolita inspired YDA winning short
Director Victoria Singh-Thompson chats to Izzy Ashton about their film 14 in February which scooped a YDA Gold in the Short Film (Up to 10 minutes) category.