The YOUNG ARROWS awards spotlight and celebrate emerging talent in the UK moving image advertising industry, giving the next generation a vital opportunity to gain exposure. Now in its third year, the YOUNG ARROWS mission is to foster greater accessibility and build the diverse and inclusive talent pool that’s vitally needed for our industry to flourish.

For the first time, the awards are FREE-TO-ENTER, removing the financial barrier that often blocks emerging talent from entering.

To ensure the free-to-enter initiative, companies across the industry have helped to cover the cost of approximately 15 entries each, directly supporting emerging talent to put their best work forward for the chance of winning a coveted award. A gracious thank you goes to ARRI Stage London and Creative Technology, ETC, Leland, Lovesong, Machine and Final Cut, Object & Animal, Outsider, Prettybird, Rohtau, Spindle, Stink Films, String & Tins who are committed to championing the next generation and being part of building a more equitable industry, as well as key sponsors 750mph, 1920vfx, Academy, All of Us Here, APA, Black Kite, Coffee & TV, Creative Outpost, Eleanor, ELMNTL, Factory and SIREN, Framestore, Magna, The Mill, Miller, MSE, neverland, No.8, The Outernet, The Quarry, Rogue, Sue Terry Voices, Tenthree and Twentyfour Seven.

All work entered into the awards will be judged blind by a jury that spans the breadth and scope of the advertising industry in the UK - from clients and agency experts to some of the finest creatives, directors, production experts and postproduction teams in the business - chaired by Helen Rhodes, Executive Creative Director at BBH, and Chris Watling, Managing Director and Executive Producer at Somesuch.

The not-for-profit, British Arrows, which has honoured the best campaigns and craft in British moving image advertising for nearly 50 years, launched the YOUNG ARROWS as a successful pathway for those in the early years of their careers. Open to emerging talent with less than 3 years’ experience in their current role, work can be submitted across 18 distinct categories and the winning work will be showcased this October at the inspiring awards show hosted by Reggie Yates at HERE at Outernet in central London.

Simon Cooper, Chairman of the British Arrows said, “Investing in our future talent will expand the potential of the UK moving image advertising industry and ensure we’re future-fit, inclusive and representative. We’re delighted to make the awards free-to-enter - thank you to our amazing Supporters & Sponsors for making this possible - and we’re calling on the industry to encourage emerging talent to enter.”

The free-to-enter initiative will be shared with organisations such as Creative Mentor Network, who work to support class diversity in the creative industries.

Katie Thomson-Greene, Managing Director at Creative Mentor Network said: “Making opportunities like this financially accessible is essential to support socioeconimic diversity in the creative industries. Studies continue to show those from working-class backgrounds are underrepresented and often unpaid in advertising and marketing. Opening the YOUNG ARROWS helps our network showcase their talent, and progress in the industry.”

For the first time, The Bolt Award - a new special award presented in honour of well-known advertising production figure, Barney Richard - will be given to an individual who is introducing new ideas, techniques, or approaches within a piece of moving image advertising content.

The Bolt award-winner will challenge, or transform existing moving image genres, while aiming to influence cultural trends through their discussion-provoking work and unexpected ideas. The winner will be selected from work entered into the Creative team, New Director and Student Commercial of the Year categories.

The YOUNG ARROWS have also announced the neverland Internship which will be awarded to the winner of Student Commercial of the Year category. This six-week paid internship - paid at £26k pa (above London living wage) - will present the winner with the chance to work on live projects for neverland’s clients within its creative and production teams, based in the Shoreditch office.

Amy Coomber, Head of Production at neverland said: “Bringing a new generation of talent into our industry is a key focus for neverland. We can’t wait to welcome the Student Film winner into our team and help give their career a flying start.”

For further information, head to https://www.britisharrows.com/ to download the Entry Pack or get in touch with the Young Arrows team: awards@britisharrows.com. Entry deadline is Wednesday 4th September.

Stay in touch with the latest YOUNG ARROWS news, including a special award and a prize for Student Commercial of the Year, by following the Young Arrows on Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn.