The New Director Lotus awards up-and-coming new directors to give them exposure to the creative community and help launch their directorial careers.
For New Director Lotus, works submitted must have been directed during a Director’s first two years of Director career (Eligibility period: 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2025).
For Portfolio/Passion Project (ND09), works submitted do not need to be commercially broadcasted and Assistant Directors and students are also eligible.
For Film School (ND10), entries must be part of a film school project.
For Short Films for ADFEST 2026 by The Fabulous Five (ND11), the Director must have started a Director career after March 2024. That is, no more than 2 years professional experience as a Director.
Each execution constitutes one entry. Executions which form a campaign must be entered and paid for as single entries
except Series Film (ND08), it constitutes one entry.
The same work (identical version & duration) can only be entered ONCE in New Director Lotus, but it can be re-entered into Lotus Roots (LRND).
Eligible works must be works created for clients for the purpose of on-air TV, online film, website, email, mobile devices or cinema broadcast, and other non-broadcast medium such as internal promotion or special event screening.
How the director’s creative and technical ability to elevate the work beyond the script — making it engaging, memorable, and impactful.
How the interpretation and development of the script enhance the storytelling and strengthen the core idea. The script’s origin and development must come from the director.
ND05
Short Film: Up to 10 minutes
Eligible works must be works created for clients for the purpose of broadcast program, internal promotion, or special event screening.
ND06
Short Film: Over 10 minutes
Eligible works must be works created for clients for the purpose of broadcast program, internal promotion, or special event screening.
Eligible works must be work created for the reality or documentary film purpose. Films should bring the story closely to the audience.
Note: maximum duration is 60 mins.
Eligible works must be created for series film.
Note: Series must consist of at least 2 episodes with episodes weaved into a single video file.
ND09
Portfolio/Passion Project *NEW*
Work created to showcase a director’s reel, craft, or creative voice outside of commissioned client briefs. This includes self-initiated projects, experimental pieces, or personal work driven by passion rather than commercial assignment, demonstrating originality, innovation, and artistic ambition.
Eligible works must be films created for school projects.
ND11
Short Films for ADFEST 2026 by the Fabulous Five
ND11 is a non-entry fee basis. Eligible entrants submit scripts under the ADFEST 2026 theme, Human+, where only 5 selected scripts will become the Fabulous Five New Directors. The Fabulous Five will premiere their short films on stage at ADFEST 2026.
For more information, see
Fabulous Five.
LOTUS ROOTS
The Lotus Roots is an award unique to ADFEST that is awarded to works that embody local values whether in terms of culture, religion, beliefs, traditions, language, insights, or context. Lotus Roots recognizes works that preserve and celebrate the rich heritage and value of each local culture.
