ADFEST 2011 names Grand Jury President, opens Fabulous Four program for directors

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ASIA-PACIFIC – Washington Olivetto, chairman of WMcCann Brazil and McCann Worldgroup chief creative officer for Latin America/Caribbean, is ADFEST 2011’s Grand Jury President. Olivetto was originally set to be Grand Jury President this year but due to his schedule, had to decline after the judging session was postponed to July.

“Washington was our first choice for next year’s Jury President, so we are delighted that he has accepted our invitation to travel to Phuket next March,” says ADFEST President Jimmy Lam.

Olivetto is one of the most awarded advertising men in the world, winning more than 50 Lions at the Cannes Advertising Festival in the Film category alone. For shaping the Brazilian ad scene, he is a celebrity in Brazil, where he was elected the most awarded creative of the past 20 years by Profiisionais do Ano (“The Professionals of The Year”), twice elected the Advertising Man of the Century by ALAP (Latin American Advertising Agencies Association) and is the author of three bestselling books. In July 2009, he entered the Hall of Fame of FIAP (Ibero-American Advertising Festival), and two months later was voted The Pride of the Brazilian Advertising in a survey carried out by About magazine among 122 leaders in the field.

Aside from the announcement of the Grand Jury President, ADFEST has opened its Fabulous Four program to up-and-coming directors and assistant directors around the Asia Pacific. Five-minute film scripts are accepted for entry, with deadlines closing on 31 December 2010. The short film based on the ADFEST 2011 theme “JUMP START” must be one of the first seven works directed by each entrant. Entry is free  and will be read by the Film Craft Lotus & New Director Lotus jury panel at ADFEST 2011. The four directors whose scripts receive the highest score will produce their short film, which will premiere at ADFEST 2011.

“Fabulous Four gives emerging directors the chance to put their work before the eyes of the region’s top creative directors. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s all part of ADFEST’s commitment to nurturing talent in the Asia Pacific. Post-GFC, a lot of emerging directors have found it difficult to break into the industry, so Fabulous Four is the perfect opportunity for emerging directors to make themselves known,” says ADFEST President Jimmy Lam.

ADFEST will provide return economy airfare, ground transportation, accommodation, and full delegate registration for the ‘Fabulous Four’ directors to attend ADFEST 2011. For full rules, visit www.adfest.com/FABULOUS/Fabulous_Four.html

ADFEST 2011 will be held in Phuket, Thailand on March 17 to 19, 2011.