Here’s a taste of the thrills to come:

Creativity-cultivating chaos. Artificial insanity. Into culture not out of your depth. So you want to sell your agency? Music be the food of brand success. Embracing the era of abundance. Unlocking the young female powerhouse. Logic makes magic. Bravery vs business. Fast, flawed and fierce content. The ground-breakers showcase. World Producers brainfest. Asian Producers brainfest. And welcome party!! ADFEST Day 1 gets you fired up, fed and fuelled to be fabulous.

Judging is nearly complete and the winners will be announced in ADFEST BUZZ after the AWARD Presentation on Saturday evening (18.00-20.00). Read those winners’ lists quickly; the ADFEST After Party at the Infini Beach Pool beckons at 20.00.

New to the Lotus awards this year is the Creative Strategy Lotus applauding outstanding creative problem-solving, the perceptive insights that are shaped into creative strategies that enhance their brand. This new category recognises the extent to which strategic planning and creative solutions play a crucial role in the success of a campaign. There are also 21 new sub-categories throughout the Lotus categories.

ADFEST favourites, the INNOVA Lotus live shortlists presentations and the INNOVA Lotus and & unique LOTUS ROOTS screening, are both being held on Day 1. These must watch presentations reveal respectively the innovative world-class work that dares to push the boundaries of creativity into uncharted territory and standout work that embodies the rich heritage and value of local culture.

The World Producers Summit returns to ADFEST this year, also on Day 1, followed by an open Asian producers forum, Unlocking Production Collaboration Opportunities In Asia.  

Other workshops to note are D&AD’s Trend Immersion Workshop, where true trends and fake fads will be separated; Culture, Context, Curation & Craft, where the power of music for brands will be revealed; How to Master Duration (now there’s a session title to remember); Strategy isn’t the Enemy (can they actually be BFFs); and Shape My Portfolio, an ADFEST regular because those whose big creative ambitions need as book that’s a best seller.

ADFEST’s Production Hut also returns, featuring eleven of the region’s high-ranking production and production-related houses. As one of the most popular showcases at ADFEST, it’s the place to discover what’s new, now and ahead of its time in commercial production.

Keep reading ADFEST BUZZ, too, for its interview series where some of COLLIDE’s international jurors and speakers will share their ideas and insights about what makes great work, successful businesses, great creative leaders, and career paths that soar. Among the industry leaders sharing their insights are Susan Credle, Susan Credle, Global Creative Advisor, Interpublic; Unmisha Bhatt, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Tonic Worldwide; Carlos Camacho CCO & Belynda Sim-Mak, Head of Strategy, Gut.

Lastly, but far from least, there’s the Welcome Party, the ADFEST networking event of the year, at the end of Day 1.

To keep up with this year’s remarkable collision of speaker sessions, workshops, screenings and presentations, use the ADFEST app and QR code. And help us to spread the exhilaration of ADFEST with its hashtags, #ADFEST2025 #COLLiDEatADFEST2025.