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SHOOT^®, announced today that entries for the 2017 SHOOT New Directors Search are officially open and and remain open through March 31, 2017. This is SHOOT's 15th annual worldwide search to discover the best up-and-coming directors who, based on their initial work, show promise to soon make major positive contributions to advertising and/or entertainment in its traditional and emerging forms. Enter at http://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

The 25-30 Showcase Finalists Will Receive Priceless Worldwide Exposure
Directors who have been directing professionally less than 3 years may enter the search via SHOOT's official online entry form.  Only work entered via the official form will be considered.  All work is carefully reviewed by SHOOT's editors and after the best work is selected they will compile the 2017 SHOOT New Directors Showcase Reel. The reel will be screened for an audience of over 400 agency, network and movie studio creative executives & heads of production, as well as production company execs. Finalists' work will be seen by major decision-makers from Madison Avenue's key advertising agencies to Hollywood's top motion picture production companies and studios at SHOOT's 2017 New Directors Showcase Event at the Directors Guild of America's DGA Theatre in New York City in  May. 

The New Directors Showcase Event will take place in the evening immediately following the daytime SHOOT Directors/Producers Forum.
The May 2017 NDS event will include the screening of The New Directors Showcase Reel, panel featuring several of the new directors and several industry pros.  The evening ends with the after-party downstairs at the DGA. Selected directors and a guest are invited to attend the SHOOT Directors/Producers Forum and New Directors Showcase Event. Enter at http://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

Directors selected for the Showcase will receive high profile editorial exposure
Prior to the event SHOOT editors will interview the 2017 Showcase directors for a special feature that will appear in SHOOT's May/June issue, interactive PDF version, SHOOT Dailies & SHOOT >e.dition ePubs, and on SHOOTonline.com®, bringing worldwide attention to the work and the directors.  In addition to SHOOT's regular circulation the May/June issue will be given out at the May 26th event as well as everal other prestigious industry events.

More high profile exposure takes place after the event
Coverage of the May New Directors Showcase gala event will appear on SHOOTonline and in the SHOOT Dailies and SHOOT>e.dition following the event with follow-up in-depth coverage and photos. And the New Directors Showcase reel, including new director interviews, will be posted on SHOOTonline for a full year to be viewed by over 40,000 unique visitors each month who are the motion picture industry movers and shakers.

Click Here to see the SHOOT 2016 New Directors Showcase Reel
Click Here to see coverage of last year's New Directors Showcase Event
Click Here to see coverage of last year's Directors/Producers Forum
Click Here for NDS Entrants & Submissions FAQs

The New Directors Search has three categories for entries

1. Traditional Broadcast including: television spots, spec work, cinema ads, branded content, music videos, trailers broadcast promos.

2. Alternative Media Content including: webisodes, spots created for online, mobile-phone content, in-game ads, advergaming, virals, alternate reality-gaming ads, ads created for PDAs.

3. Film/TV Entertainment Content including: feature films, independent films, short films, TV programs

Enter at http://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

Directors selected for the Showcase receive enormous career-making exposure!
Entering SHOOT's New Directors Showcase can be a big step towards being noticed by the companies that represent directors and the advertising agency creatives and commercial & entertainment producers that hire directors.

In addition to most unaffiliated directors finding production company homes/representation after the Showcase each year quite a few have gone on to direct great work and earn industry honors.

Here's a sampling...

SHOOT’s second annual New Directors Showcase in 2004 included Elliott Lester who has gone on to an accomplished career, including helming HBO’s telefilm “Nightingale,” a one-character drama starring David Oyelowo as Peter Snowden, an emotionally damaged war veteran whose life unravels before us. Nightingale is an HBO Films presentation in association with Brad Pitts’ Plan B Entertainment.

Our 2004 Showcase included Ted Melfi on the strength of "Pizza Guys,"  a MTV spec spot he directed. Melfi has since gone on to establish himself in commercials and most recently as a feature filmmaker, making his theatrical movie debut at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival with the tug-at-the-heartstrings comedy "St. Vincent." His second film, the acclaimed 2016 "Hidden Figures," has him squarely in this award season's Oscar conversation. Melfi is a founding partner of production house brother, which he teamed with executive producer Rich Carter to launch in 2014.

The 2013 film “Oblivion” starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman was directed by Joseph Kosinski who eight years earlier was in our 3rd annual 2005 New Directors Showcase. Joseph is now with Reset, the production company launched by David Fincher and Dave Morrison. 

The 2005 New Directors Showcase also included director David Gray--at the time was a noted agency creative who had signed with Hungry Man to pursue a full-time directing career. Two years later, while still at Hungry Man, David was at the DGA Awards ceremony in Los Angeles as a nominee for Best Commercial Director of 2006. David is now with Station Film.

Earning a slot in the 2006 New Directors Showcase was the Terri Timely duo (Corey Creasey and Ian Kibbey), now with Park Pictures. Terri Timely directed Geico's "Unskippable: Family" pre-roll ad which in 2015 garnered The Martin Agency its first ever Cannes Grand Prix honor.

Keith Schofield earned inclusion into SHOOT's 2008 6th Annual Showcase. Four years later, his "The Bark Side" for Volkswagen out of Deutsch LA garnered a primetime commercial Emmy nomination. Schofield is with Caviar Content.

Also in that 2008 Showcase was Keith Bearden. Two years later he saw his feature film directing debut, "Meet Monica Velour," make its worldwide premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. "Meet Monica Velour" was one of just 14 films chosen for Tribeca's Encounters section, offering original movies that reflect pop culture and contemporary issues.

Another 2008 Showcase helmer was Harold Einstein of Station who shortly thereafter saw three Crest toothpaste spots he directed for Saatchi NY earn a Gold Lion in the Campaign category at Cannes. Harold launched his own production company, Dummy.  

Pete Circuitt of The Ebeling Group, another '08 Showcase inductee, went on to direct CBS-TV's half-hour primetime Xmas special "Yes Virginia" for Macy's and JWT NY, which ended up winning a One Show Entertainment Awards Gold Pencil.

In 2010, Ross Katz won the DGA Award for outstanding achievement in movies for TV/miniseries on the strength of his HBO film "Taking Chance," the same film which garnered him inclusion in SHOOT's '09 7th Annual New Directors Showcase.  

Enter at http://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

Each and every year since inception, SHOOT's New Directors Showcase Delivers.
Here's a sampling of what some past SHOOT New Directors Showcase directors have said about their New Directors Showcase experience...

Michael Fiore, 2016 New Director, Michael Fiore Films  "The SHOOT New Directors Showcase celebrates the on-going evolution in visual storytelling, in both the short and long forms.  I can't think of any other event where a curated selection of top commercials, documentaries, and narrative movies from around the world collide on the big screen.  To have one's work selected for the DGA-staged event is a major stamp of approval.  Directors are introduced to top commercial reps and agencies, among other production entities.  To have been selected as a New Director for my work on "Floyd Norman:  An Animated Life" was an absolute honor that also injected the documentary with early PR buzz."

Sonejuhi Sinha, 2016 New Director "The SHOOT New Directors Showcase offers so much more than just validation of directorial talent. It was great exposure to showcase our work. The work is so inspiring, and so diverse. I loved meeting the various directors in the showcase. I can't think of another showcase reel that can match its broad range in subject matter, style, approach and tone."

Joe Pernice, 2015 New Director "SHOOT has created an amazing platform to showcase the work of some of the world's most talented emerging directors and it was an honor to be included in SHOOT'S 2015 New Director's Showcase. As an up and coming director, working both in commercial and features, SHOOT provided me with an extraordinary opportunity to share my work with leading industry professionals. This opportunity extended from an amazing night hosted at the DGA theater to continued press after the event. I am honored to be named one of SHOOT's New Directors as it is a title that does not get overlooked by the industry."

Erin Li, 2015 New Director "Having previously directed independent films, the SHOOT New Directors Showcase provided a rare opportunity to introduce my work to key players in the commercial world. SHOOT’s stamp of approval helped me to connect with production companies, agencies, and directors reps, and I’m excited to say that I’ve since been hired for several directing assignments.”

Aaron Kodz, 2014 New Director  "The SHOOT New Directors Showcase was a phenomenal opportunity, and has been a huge force in launching my career. It opened doors to me with some of the best production houses, agencies, and creatives in the industry, and did an amazing job of bringing all these people together under one roof. The panel speakers were amazing, giving their insight into the rapidly changing nature of the advertising and entertainment world. It's a refreshing, inspiring look into the next wave of filmmakers that I'm honored to be a part of."

Michele Atkins, 2013 New Director, Kaboom Productions "SHOOT Magazine provided me with a fabulous platform in the New Director's Showcase to show my work. The event itself had inspiring speakers with wonderful insight on their particular expertise in the filmmaking world. It's a terrific way to meet a significant amount of talented people all under one roof who give their time in a thoughtful manner."

Martin Rodahl, 2012 New Director, 71 Degrees North "The SHOOT New Directors Showcase offers so much more than just validation of directorial talent. I met some incredible industry professionals...the whole place is buzzing, the work is so inspiring, and you walk away feeling like a major milestone has been reached. What surprised me the most was the variety of directors--male, female, international, American, young, and old. The same goes for the work. I can't think of another showcase reel that can match its broad range in cinematography, subject matter, and tone."

Elizabeth Orne, 2011 New Director, Freelance "Being included in the SHOOT New Director Showcase was absolutely brilliant for me, as it tempted the smart people I did not know, but desperately wanted to see my film, into watching it! As a result, I met many of the owners and execs of the production companies I admire."

Varda Bar-kar, 2010 New Director "It was quite an honor to be selected to participate in the 2010 SHOOT New Directors Showcase. I am especially humbled to join the ranks of the super creative and innovative directors with whom I share this special honor. Being selected for the showcase affirmed for me the value of my determined effort to create work that's not just "good enough", but better than anyone imagined. Thanks for the shot in the arm, SHOOT!" 

Kevin Kerwin, 2009 New Director, Authentic Films "Being included in SHOOT's New Directors Showcase is one of those great touchstones. Besides the breadth of industry exposure only SHOOT can provide, it provides a very real increase in offers for work as well as the validation that you're doing something right. I will always count it as a big moment in my career."

Harold Einstein, 2008 New Director, Dummy "There are many wonderful phone calls one can receive in life. But I have to say, few feel as good as, 'Hello, you've just been included in SHOOT's New Directors Showcase.' Like the chicken and the egg, I'm still not sure which came first: getting to direct good scripts or getting into SHOOT's New Directors Showcase."

Jason & Matt Docter, 2008 New Directors, DOCTER TWINS As directors, we are continually inspired by the imagination of our peers. SHOOT Magazine does a fantastic job of filling our brains with the most exciting, creative ideas of the day and it's New Director's Showcase is no exception. We were thrilled and honored to be included in such a highly talented event. It was almost like telling our Grandmother we had won an Academy Award... or two."

Nir Bashan, 2007 New Director "I have read SHOOT magazine for many years, and being included in the 2007 New Director's Showcase was truly an honor. SHOOT consistently has an eye out on fresh and exciting new talent, and this showcase does not disappoint. It is one of the finest new talent presentations in our business." 

Harry Cocciolo, 2005 New Director, Bob Industries "It's always invigorating to see new work and exchange ideas. The showcase is an ideal opportunity for new directors, industry leaders and agency producers to come together for the first time."

Enter at http://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

Do you -- or someone you know -- have what it takes to be a hot New Director?
Directors selected for the Showcase typically come from diverse backgrounds. Some first established themselves on the agency side of the business, while others were DPs, feature filmmakers or film students. One bond the directors share is great style and vision, whether it be reflected in comedy, visuals or storytelling.  New Directors Search Submission Details For the 15th Annual New Directors Search will be available on SHOOTonline.com starting January 6th, 2017.   Directors, their representatives, and even friends can submit work for directors if the submitted work was completed during the 15 month qualification period (January 2016-March 2017) and meets all other entry criteria as outlined on the submission form.  Excerpts from shorts, long form film or other entertainment fare must be NO MORE than 5 minutes in length.  IMPORTANT: To be eligible to enter, directors must be directing professionally less than three years. The Entry Deadline is Friday, March 31, 2017 Midnight EDT. Entry fee is $95.00 for first piece of work, $40.00 each additional.  You may enter online and upload your entries -OR- print out mail-in entry form and submit via mail with DVD. (Note: To access the online entry form the person filling out form will need to register on SHOOTonline.com for free. Payment to be made via credit card on the form.) Click Here for NDS Entrants & Submissions FAQs

Become a sponsor of the May, 2017 SHOOT Directors/Producers Forum & 15th Annual New Directors Showcase Event
Sponsors receive enormous promotion value prior to, during and for a full year after the event in print ads, online promotion, invitations, press releases, programs, signage & on screen credits at the DGA Theater, articles and the New Directors Showcase web reel.

2016 Event Sponsors  Directors Guild of America, harvest films, Company 3, Gartner, The Devil You Know, Frankfurt Kurnit and the Palace Production Center.  Many of these great companies and organizations have been long-time sponsors and we greatly appreciate their involvement.

Other Past Sponsors Anonymous Content, Argyle Bros., ARRI, Backyard Productions, Biscuit Filmworks, Crossroads, CT Film Office, Deluxe Entertainment Services, Eastman Kodak, FilmUS Virgin Islands, Form, Getty Images, Hungry Man, Light Iron, Method Studios, Moxie Pictures, Nevada Film Office, OneatOptimus, RSA Films, Sony, T3Media, Tool of NA, West VA Film Office.

With a sponsor level for every budget we please consider joing us in 2017! For Sponsor info please Click Here and contact SHOOT Publisher Roberta Griefer at 203/227-1699, x13 or via email

About The SHOOT New Director Search & Showcase Event
To discover and showcase the next generation of filmmaking talent, each year for the past 15 years, SHOOT conducts a worldwide search to discover the best up-and-coming directors who, based on their initial work, show promise to soon make major positive contributions to advertising and/or entertainment in its traditional and emerging forms.

The search is conducted by SHOOT's editorial staff with input from agency & studio creative directors & heads of production, as well as production company heads and established directors. This year's search entry(s) can be in any of three categories of motion pictures directing. Criteria for entry is directing any type of advertising or entertainment content professionally less than 3 years.

Categories of entry include:

• Traditional Broadcast: TV Spots, spec work, cinema ads, branded content, music videos, trailers, broadcast promos
• Alternative media content: webisodes, spots created for online, mobile phone content, in-game advertising, advergaming, virals, alternative reality gaming, ads created for PDAs
• Film/TV Entertainment: Feature films, independent films, short films, TV programs.

For more information about the SHOOT Annual New Directors search and a copy of this year’s official Submission Form, please visit: https://enterNDS.SHOOTonline.com. The 2017 15th Annual SHOOT New Directors Search opened in January 2017. Details available here. The 2017 search is being conducted now thru March 31st, 2017 Midnight ET. 

Debut Screening of the 2017 New Directors Showcase Reel
The recognized Showcase work spans varied disciplines from TV commercials to shorts, music videos, spec spots, excerpts from feature films, cinema ads, branded entertainment and webisode fare. It’s a body of work that like in past Showcase years figures to make an impact on the advertising and entertainment marketplaces. To view last year's NDS reel visit https://nds.SHOOTonline.com

Meet the New Directors Panel
An annual tradition, we ask all the new directors from the Showcase in attendance to individually stand and then have several of the new directors and two industry pros join us on stage.  We hear from the directors about their work and goals and hear from the industry pros about working with directors and  the opportunities and challenges for new directors today.

Here's a look at just some of the companies who attended last year's showcase event at the DGA in New York City including titles such as CEOs, vice presidents, broadcast & content managers, network executive and agency producers, creative directors, entrepreners, directors, editors, VFX artists, music editors, copywriters, actors, and other motion picture industry managers &  talents.

About SHOOT^®
SHOOT^® is the leading platform for motion picture production & post - movie, TV, and commercial - decision-makers including executives and artisans at production/post/editorial/visual effects & animation/music & sound companies, agencies, brands, TV/cable/online networks, movie studios and independent filmmakers. Covering news, great work, trends, creative techniques, applications and leading & emerging talent as well as all major guild, entertainment and ad industry award shows, film festivals and industry events. SHOOT provides timely and relevant information including behind-the-scenes looks at the best new work and the talented people, companies, and creative tools behind the work. SHOOT reports on the latest cinematography, post & editing technology and equipment. If the work involves advertising or entertainment content that consumers view on a screen--TV screen, Cinema screen, Computer screen, Mobile screen or Game screen, SHOOT is searching out who's doing the most innovative work and what's coming next. SHOOT provides insights from established filmmaking talent as well as giving its readers a heads-up on the up-and-comers.  For over 55 years SHOOT has been providing historical context and a mix of perspectives, showing where the industry has been in order to get a better handle on where it is and in what directions it is headed. SHOOT provides an informed big-picture take on the business and the creative sides of advertising and entertainment while showcasing the best work--both prominent and obscure--and getting into the hearts, minds and creative spirit of the industry's best and brightest executives and artisans in the client, agency creative, entertainment, production, post and music sectors.

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