With a total of 3,295 entries at Adfest this year, the Film Lotus was again the most popular category, receiving 470 entries.
The only two Gold awards for film went to Wase-Be Advertising Inc. Tokyo for Freshly Ground Coffee with the Creamiest Milk ‘Farewell’ and Lowe China, Shanghai for Buick ‘Human Traffic Sign’.
“The Film Lotus Jury was fairly unanimous in terms of the films that should be awarded this year,” said film jury president Bechara Mouzannar, chief creative officer for Leo Burnett MENA, Beirut in a press statement. “However, having judged this category at Adfest last year, I feel the overall quality was a step backwards from last year.”
The Direct & Promo Agency of the Year was awarded to Whybin TBWA Group, Melbourne. Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Tokyo took out Production Company of the Year. And Advertiser of the Year was presented to Suntory.
Neil French (a member of Campaign Asia-Pacific's Hall of Fame) was awarded the Lotus Legend, a fitting result for this year’s Adfest theme, 'Be Bad', as French “has been no stranger to controversy” according to the festival’s official statement.
The top five awarded companies were Dentsu Tokyo (21 awards); Whybin TBWA Group, Melbourne (15 awards); Leo Burnett, Sydney (13 awards); Leo Burnett, Melbourne (12 awards); and BBDO Proximity Thailand, Bangkok (10 awards).
Held at Peach, Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand, the festival's award categories included Interactive, Mobile, Print Craft, Design, Direct, Press, Outdoor, New Director and Film Craft Lotus.