McCann India has announced the launch of Fresh Take 2026, a new initiative designed to identify and support the next generation of advertising filmmakers in India.
Developed in partnership with D&AD, the global authority on creative excellence, and Mothership Productions, the programme aims to provide emerging directors with opportunities to accelerate their careers and gain industry recognition.
The initiative is open to ad film directors who are within the first three years of their directing careers. Participants can submit up to five pieces of work created between June 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026, showcasing their storytelling abilities, creative perspective and craft. All submitted work must have been produced during the entrant’s first three years as a director.
As part of the programme, the winner will receive a paid trip to the D&AD Festival 2027, providing access to one of the creative industry’s most influential gatherings of talent and thought leaders. In addition, the winner will be commissioned for two projects with McCann India over a 12-month period, offering hands-on experience through live commercial assignments.
The two runners-up will receive complimentary access to D&AD’s online masterclass programme, “Storytelling for Action,” designed to help participants further develop their creative and storytelling skills through industry-led learning.
Entries will be assessed by a jury comprising leading professionals from the advertising, filmmaking and content industries. The submission deadline for Fresh Take 2026 is July 10, 2026, with winners scheduled to be announced on August 7, 2026.
Through the initiative, McCann India aims to create a platform for emerging directing talent while helping bridge the gap between creative potential and commercial opportunities in the advertising industry.
Speaking about Fresh Take 2026, Rahul Mathew, Chief Creative Officer, McCann India said, “Discovering talent had always been a big part of the advertising industry. We’ve discovered and given good talent to a lot of other creative industries. But over the last few years, we’ve started leaning increasingly into the tried and tested. This is a small way for us to bring back the same. Young talent who may lead us into the future of storytelling and film making.”
Donal Keenan, COO, D&AD, said, “Supporting the next generation of up-and-coming talent is so important. It’s valuable work that D&AD delivers very well across its learning and talent programmes globally, so we are delighted to partner with McCann in India to continue to champion and celebrate talent from the region. I wish all entrants the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the winners at the D&AD Festival 2027.”
Kashif Memon, Founder & Executive Producer, Mothership Productions added, “Fresh Take 2026 is an eye-opener for agencies and budding ad filmmakers alike, built on McCann India’s scale and Mothership Productions’ mission to bring young talent to the fore. This high-stakes award show forces the industry to notice young and largely unexplored voices, while challenging these relatively newer directors to win a paid trip to D&AD by proving they understand exactly what ticks and what sells. What’s not to love!”
