Judging:
Each category is judged by a professional working industry panel made up of established directors, producers, creative directors, cinematographers etc. The panel awards a winner, a runner up and if justified, a special mention in each of the categories, as long as they feel the work is deserving of this recognition.
In addition to the coveted EDA Ireland award, we are absolutely delighted to announce that the EDA Ireland winners from each of the directors categories will have automatic entry into the prestigious Young Directors Awards at Cannes.
The YDA at Cannes was established 25 years ago and pioneered the awards platform recognising and showcasing emerging directors. We are very excited to put our directors on their international stage as well as at home. To read more about their fantastic event, click on this link http://youngdirectoraward.com
2024 Judges:
JOHN CUTLER
John honed his craft at the renowned Dublin based production company, Motherland, earning multiple awards for his commercial, music video and short film work along the way. He cut music videos for the Fontaines DC, Hozier, For Those I Love and Gilla Band amongst others. His commercial work earned him numerous Kinsale Sharks and ICAD awards and at Motherland he edited short films which screened at prestigious film festivals.
Since venturing into freelance editing, John has worked on acclaimed television projects and feature-length films with inspiring creative collaborations. He edited Kate Dolan’s debut feature film, You Are Not My Mother and has some very interesting projects in the pipeline.
CARINA CAYE
Carina is a Brazilian Associate Creative Director that changed her home from São Paulo to Dublin, Ireland, in 2019, where she currently works at Droga5 Dublin. Beyond having a bachelor in graphic design, she has chosen to shape her career in art direction and conceptualising strong ideas crafted by purposeful visuals - which she believes can create meaning, memories and behaviour changes when done wisely and intentionally.
Throughout the years, she has built compelling work for brands like Google, Netflix, Lego, Hennessy, Tesco, Whirlpool, Nivea, AIB Bank, Nike Converse, Stellantis and others, with some being recognised in the main creativity festivals like Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, New York Festivals, and local awards as CCSP in Brazil and ICADs and Sharks in Ireland. She has also been a part of jury in many of these awards, like The One Show, New York Festivals and ICads. In 2023 she's also serving as a jury on the Next Creative Leaders from the One Club and The 3% Movement.
Gráinne Dwyer
Gráinne is co-founder & CEO of www.heritage.ie, Heritage is an award-winning female led creative agency & production house, and one of the leading #NetZero production companies in Ireland - servicing clients in Europe, US, UK, and the Middle East. In 2023, Heritage launched their own directors roster, fostering some of the best commercial & music video talent in Ireland & the UK.
Gráinne has worked over the last 7 years crafting her experience as a Producer & EP, working on advertising campaigns for brands like Heineken, DHL, FreeNow, Microsoft, Irish Examiner, Cisco, Codex Beauty, An Post, and Chill Insurance. Gráinne & her team have also produced music videos for artists like Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Rudimental, Pillow Queens & The Scratch. Gráinne was a producer of “Two for the Road” a Screen Ireland Focus Short, which was Academy Award Longlisted for the 2024 Oscars.
Boby Zithelo
Bobby is a Dublin-based filmmaker known for incorporating visual storytelling into commercial direction. The portfolio includes Adidas, Life Style Sports, Jameson, Brown Thomas, RTE, Redbull and more. Zithelo’ strong connection between creativity and visual imagery is evident in his various projects.
In addition to his commercial work, Bobby Zithelo is a versatile visual artist, photographer and filmmaker. His latest documentary offers a poignant insight into contemporary Irish life, particularly the challenges facing young people.
Zithelo’s directing credits include:
‘OUR LAND’ RTE PLAYER docu-series (2022)
The award winning film ‘THIS LAND’ A film about Ireland's relationship with race, identity and immigration.
Mike Ahern (Chairperson)
Mike is a writer and director. He and collaborator and fellow big nose Enda Loughman have been writing and directing together for over ten years. They started as a graphic design & animation collaboration D.A.D.D.Y., but quickly moved on to direct award winning short films, music videos & TV commercials. Their debut feature film Extra Ordinary was released worldwide in 2020 and currently he has a bunch of film and TV projects in development. Most recently he has been directing episodes of Chris O Dowd’s new comedy drama Small Town Big Story coming later in 2024. Mike will be the Chair of the jury this year.