Fresh Take 2026 extends entries till July 20, unveils inaugural jury line-up

MUMBAI: Lights, camera… a little more time for action. McCann India has extended the application deadline for Fresh Take 2026, its talent discovery platform for emerging advertising film directors, while also unveiling the inaugural jury that will evaluate this year’s entries.

Created in partnership with D&AD and Mothership Productions, the initiative is aimed at identifying and nurturing India’s next generation of commercial filmmakers.

The deadline for submissions has been pushed to 20 July 2026, with entries now open until 11.59 pm IST. The extension follows strong interest from aspiring directors across the country.

Fresh Take 2026 is open to ad film directors who are within the first three years of their directing careers. Applicants can submit up to five films directed between 1 June 2023 and 30 June 2026 through the programme’s official entry form.

Alongside the deadline extension, the organisers have announced a seven-member jury comprising creative and production leaders from across the advertising and filmmaking industry.

The panel includes Akanksha Seda of Good Morning Films, Amit Sharma of Chrome Pictures, Anand Menon from Early Man Film, Ashish Khazanchi, Rahul Mathew, Shirsha Guha Thakurta and Sukesh Nayak.

Entries will be judged on storytelling, originality, craft and creative vision.

The winner will receive a paid trip to the D&AD Festival 2027, one of the advertising industry’s most influential creative gatherings, along with commissions for two projects at McCann India over a 12-month period.

The two runners-up will receive complimentary access to D&AD’s online masterclass, Storytelling for Action, giving them the opportunity to learn from internationally recognised creative professionals.

The Fresh Take 2026 awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on 7 August 2026.

By extending the submission window and bringing together an experienced jury, McCann India is giving emerging filmmakers a wider opportunity to showcase their storytelling skills and potentially take the next step in their advertising careers.