For 29 years, the Young Director Award has championed emerging directing talent from around the world. But this year, YDA is turning its attention toward a region overflowing with creative energy, cinematic innovation, and stories that continue to shape global culture. Or, in the immortal words of Shakira circa FIFA World Cup 2010, ‘This time for Africa.’

And helping lead that shift are three South African industry figures who know exactly what it means to back new talent before the rest of the world catches on. This year’s YDA jury includes Nkanyezi Masango, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy and founder of Blackboard Community; Mpho Twala, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of FAM Films; and Simon Ringrose from Say Thank You, alongside celebrated Kenyan filmmakers Tosh Gitonga and Ezekiel Onyango.

The new ‘Focus on Africa’ initiative marks a major moment for YDA. While the awards have historically drawn most of their attention from Europe and the United States, this year signals a shift toward regions where exceptional directing talent remains globally underrepresented, despite producing some of the most exciting storytelling in the world. And honestly, there’s no better place to start.

Helping shape the initiative locally is Blackboard Community, the non-profit platform founded by Nkanyezi that works to democratise access to creativity and filmmaking careers for young people from underserved communities. Nkanyezi will also play an advisory role in helping curate the jury, market the initiative locally, and create conditions that make participation from Africa more accessible.

YDA and Blackboard already share a longstanding relationship rooted in discovering and nurturing new talent, making the partnership feel like a natural fit. The initiative is also being supported by YDA ambassador and Founder of Groundglass, Janette De Villiers, who is working closely with Nkanyezi and the YDA team to encourage more emerging African directors to enter.

The jury itself reflects the breadth of the continent’s creative ecosystem.

Nkanyezi returns as a YDA juror after serving on major global juries, including Cannes Lions and Art Directors Club New York, while continuing to champion access and representation through Blackboard.

Mpho brings over two decades of experience producing across Africa and Europe, including work on the Oscar-nominated District 9, and has helped build FAM Films into a top production company, working across more than 12 African markets.

Simon’s career spans music, sound design, and filmmaking, having worked with artists including Die Antwoord and Riky Rick, while also contributing to Africa Express.

Joining them are Kenyan filmmaker Tosh Gitonga, whose acclaimed film Nairobi Half Life became Kenya’s Academy Awards submission, and Ezekiel Onyango, Executive Producer at Film Crew in Africa and a major advocate for creator ownership and policy innovation across the continent’s creative industries.

Go team! And a huge thank you to Janette and Nkanyezi for championing the next generation of filmmakers! Directors interested in entering can contact YDA at entries@youngdirectoraward.com