Published on: July 14, 2026
Mumbai | 13 July 2026: Following strong interest, McCann India has extended the application deadline for Fresh Take 2026, its talent platform created in partnership with D&AD and Mothership Productions to discover and champion India’s next generation of ad film directors.
Entry submissions will now remain open until Monday, 20th July, 11:59 PM IST, giving emerging directors additional time to submit their best work. The initiative is open to ad film directors who are within the first three years of their directorial career.
Entrants are invited to submit up to five pieces of work directed by them between 1st June 2023 and 30th June 2026 through the official Fresh Take 2026 Form: https://forms.gle/PfDUsfB5H1zgxo9q7
Alongside the deadline extension, Fresh Take 2026 has also announced its jury, bringing together some of the most respected creative directors, filmmakers, and production leaders. The inaugural jury comprises:
The jury will evaluate entries on the strength of their storytelling, originality, craft and creative vision.
The winner of Fresh Take 2026 receives a paid trip to D&AD Festival 2027, one of the world’s most influential gatherings of creative talent and industry leaders and will be commissioned for two projects at McCann India over a 12-month period.
The two runners-up receive complimentary access to the D&AD Online Masterclass ‘Storytelling for Action’, offering world-class learning from some of the most awarded creative practitioners in the business.
The awards ceremony will be conducted in Mumbai on Friday, 7th August 2026.
Entries can be submitted through the official Fresh Take 2026 Form until Monday, 20th July 2026, 11:59 PM IST: https://forms.gle/PfDUsfB5H1zgxo9q7
