New Zealand Duo Earn Cannes Spot With Provocative Sports Bias Film

Daylight’s art director, Conal Wilson, has won Aotearoa’s Young Lions film challenge for his short film ‘A Ball Has No Bias.’ He made the film with his partner, Kara Gouws, from DDB Aotearoa.

In just 48 hours, the pair created an incredibly powerful film entry, exceptional in both idea and craft. This has now earned them the opportunity to compete against the world’s best at Cannes Lions.

A huge achievement that sends them off to France this upcoming June to represent New Zealand.

Conal Wilson said, “Working under time pressure is always a good challenge. As an art director, it was great to dust off my editing skills and get as hands-on as possible. I’m looking forward to what the next stage of the competition will bring.”

Kara Gouws added, “When answering the brief, we spent most of our time ideating because we knew pushing through, past all the expected ideas, would get us closer to something unique and help us to stand out in the judging room."

The brief for the 60-second film challenges the unconscious parental bias that sports are more important for boys than it is for girls. This team found the answer in the brief itself. When they explored insights from the perspective of mothers, fathers, coaches and kids, they realised all of those perspectives were gendered and therefore carried a bias of their own. It was important for the work not to villainise men or victimise women.

So, they took on a neutral perspective from something at the heart of sport that has no gender bias: the ball. The story goes on to highlight the underlying long-term benefits of sport, ending with a provocative line: “A ball has no bias. Don’t let yours hold her back.”

The creative pair will be competing in the Young Lions Film category and are hoping to bring home the gold for New Zealand.