The inaugural IBC Young Pioneer Award will recognise the brightest up-and-coming talent in the industry with those shortlisted specialising in directing, inventing and pioneering new technology and production workflows. 

Awards IBC2018

IBC2019 Awards: Young PIoneer Award celebrates outstanding young talent 

The call for entries sought people under 30 who have demonstrably gone above and beyond their remit to produce positive results, through their own efforts or by motivating a team.

Creative, technical, strategist or engineering background were encouraged to apply.

The Young Pioneer will be a leader, demonstrating a strong strategic vision and the personal skills to influence others.

This year’s entrants were narrowed down to seven finalists, each bringing their own brand of pioneering spirit. Those shortlisted include technical innovators to creative artists, some with business acumen to lead teams or start businesses while others are inspiring those around them.

IBC recognised that the media, entertainment and technology industry is changing and the next generation is consuming content differently than ever before.

A wave of new young industry talent is driving the changes to the diverse and exciting ways content is today being created in innovative formats. 

The Walt Disney Company vice president programming - kids, Europe, Africa, UK and Ireland and chair of the judging panel David Levine said: “What we were looking for in the shortlist was, most importantly, real talent, a stand-out individual making a real difference in the industry.

“But we were also looking for a lasting legacy, for the Young Pioneer to be a leader today and a media guru of the future.”

The shortlist for the IBC2019 Young Pioneer Award is:

Vera Bichler, graduate of the HBS Broadcast Academy and the first woman football director for ORF in Austria

Oliver Janesh Christiansen, inventor and developer of Cinefade, a camera add-on which allows cinematographers to vary depth of field

Ahmed Al-Ghandour, host and producer of Al-Daheeh (“The Nerd”), an online science show which tackles complex concepts through comedy

David Harnett, formerly Head of outside broadcast engineering for sound and now Head of operations at Timeline Television

Samantha Kingston, CEO of Virtual Umbrella, developers of immersive content, and a mentor for the Prince’s Trust, helping young people start businesses

Matej Michalko, blockchain pioneer and founder and CEO of Decent, a software platform company in Slovakia

Dominik Wrona, Global OU Manager at BT Media & Broadcast, where he is also responsible for the business’s graduate and apprenticeship programme

Muki-International executive producer and managing director said: “The Young Pioneer Award is looking for talent – those taking a chance and being bold with their ideas.

“I was also looking for a young pioneer that is looking for better ways of using tech, someone who is showing really good promise in the industry. Really, I’m looking for someone I would hire for my own team!”

The winners will be announced at the IBC2019 Awards Ceremony at 18:30 on Sunday 15 September.

Your ticket to the IBC Awards Ceremony is included in your free IBC exhibition visitor pass. Register here