WHAT IS THE FABULOUS FIVE?
As one of the sub-categories under the New Director Lotus, Short Films by the Fabulous Five is a platform aimed to kickstart the careers of commercial directors in the Asia Pacific and Middle East. Launched in 2008 (as the Fabulous Four), the initiative has grown to receive close to 50 scripts from a dozen cities across the region.

Aspiring directors are invited to submit scripts (free of charge) for the chance to become one of the Fabulous Five New Directors. Juries of the New Director Lotus panel will vote for their favorite scripts to determine the identities of the Fabulous Five, who will be flown, accommodated, and take the stage and premiere their short films at ADFEST in Pattaya, Thailand.

All Fabulous Five films will also be automatically entered for consideration at the Academy Award® and BAFTA qualifying 2026 LA Shorts International Film Festival (LA Shorts).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible, aspiring directors must meet the following criteria:

Entrants must be directors or assistant directors based in Asia and the Pacific, including Australia,
New Zealand, and Middle East.

Eligible Directors must have started their career after March 2024.
Note: No more than 2 years professional experience as a Director.

Each eligible director can only submit one script.

Scripts which might offend national or religious sentiments or public taste are not eligible.

HOW TO BECOME A FABULOUS FIVE?
Each entrant submits (free of charge) a script for a 5-minute short film inspired by the ADFEST 2026 theme, “Human+” by Friday 2^nd January 2026.

All scripts will be read by the Film Craft Lotus & New Director Lotus jury panel, who will independently vote for 5 of their favourite scripts. Scripts will be sent anonymously to all juries with no information on the identities of the directors to ensure greatest fairness and transparency.

If your script is one of the top five scripts as voted by ADFEST’s Film Craft Lotus & New Director Lotus jury, you will be asked to direct the short film of the submitted script and debut your film at ADFEST 2026, held Thursday 19^th – Saturday 21^st March 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand. 

ADFEST will provide return economy airfare, ground transportation, accommodation, and full delegate registration for these 5 selected directors to attend ADFEST 2026 to debut and discuss their short films at the Fabulous Five session on Friday 20^th March 2026.

To submit a script, click here.

Human+
At a time of accelerating change, it's easy for the spotlight to shine on technology, platforms and complex systems. 

The ADFEST 2026 theme Human+ is founded on the conviction that true, enduring value lies not only in these tools, but in how they empower people.
It is crucial we amplify fundamental human qualities: creativity, curiosity, culture, empathy, resilience and compassion.
We must employ a people-first approach, where humanity is at the very core of everything we do.

The + stands for the powerful forces that can elevate humanity.
It’s a framework for expanding human capacity, meaning and impact.
Creativity, at its heart, ensures that as the world rapidly evolves, humanity remains at the epicentre of progress. 

Join us to explore the endless possibilities of Human+

SCHEDULE

Now – Fri 2 Jan	Script submission
Mon 5 Jan – Fri 23 Jan	Film Craft Lotus & New Director Lotus juries vote on top 5 scripts
Wed 28 Jan – Fri 30 Jan	Confirmation of the Fabulous Five New Directors
Sat 31 Jan – Fri 6 Mar	Short Film production
	Note: There is no production subsidy provided by ADFEST
By Fri 6 Mar	Deadline for 5-minute short films & 30-second trailers to ADFEST
Wed 18 Mar	The Fabulous Five New Directors arrival in Pattaya
Thu 19 – Sat 21 Mar	ADFEST 2026
Fri 20 Mar	The Fabulous Five session on stage at ADFEST 2026
Sun 22 Mar	Departure from Pattaya

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For inquiries on the Fabulous Five, please contact Nat Luevarapong, Entry Manager
at +66-87-711-6903 or Nat@ADFEST.com.