This week, we caught up with Founder and MD of Shiny Awards, Caroline Bottomley, to discuss their new partnership with The British Arrows to support The Young Arrows, launching in 2022.

Founded in early 2018, Shiny Awards shine a light on diversity metrics to fuel fairer representation across the commercial production industry. The Shiny Awards network ensures that directors from a wide socio-economic range are represented and receive feedback and accolades from some of the biggest names in the industry.

Caroline says: “After a difficult few years, it's been great to see so many talented people coming through our virtual doors. Despite the obvious throwbacks, it's been incredible to see everyone managing to get out there and create incredible work with great purpose. We’re proud to be partnering with The British Arrows/Young Arrows, there’s so much great work from new directors and this is a wonderful opportunity for them to win a career-defining major award.”

Continuing The British Arrows’ heritage of honouring the best in moving image and commercial content creation, The Young Arrows will recognise young and emerging talent from agency, production, and craft who have only been working in their particular discipline for up to two years. As the UK and the industry recover from the global pandemic, it is the intention to launch a full suite of awards for emerging talent in 2022/23 For this year, there will be three Young Arrow-specific categories that can be entered for free before it becomes a stand-alone show.

Caroline added: “In the show’s inaugural year, we’re pleased to be able to help drive new directors to the Young Arrows Production Award supporting our mission of giving a diverse group of talented individuals the ‘foot-in-the-door’ opportunity. This year, entry is free of charge and I hope this will encourage as many people to reach for the stars and enter their work”.

Shiny’s jury network is made up of over 100 brand and music video commissioners, heads of production, exec producers, editors, reps, journalists, creative directors, and managing directors who select the best work from monthly submissions. Through their hugely successful screening events, hosted at leading ad agencies, Shiny Awards aim to deliver a fantastic career start for new directors in commercial production which mirror the Young Arrows mission and makes them an ideal partner moving forward.