Industry

Cannes Lions 2026 opens today in Cannes, bringing together more than 300 international jurors to judge this year’s 20,050 award submissions from 92 countries. As the Festival gets underway, ten shortlists have already been released.

For 2026, Cannes Lions has introduced new Awards Integrity Standards across all categories, aimed at strengthening entry credibility, results legitimacy and judging integrity.
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, said the new standards are designed “not to restrict creativity, but to fortify it,” ensuring that breakthrough work receives recognition that is both meaningful and enduring.

Shortlists have been announced for the Health & Wellness, Outdoor, Creative B2B, Pharma, Print & Publishing and Audio & Radio Lions. The inaugural Creative Brand Lions has also revealed its first shortlist, featuring 10 pieces of work.

Brands continue to expand their presence across Cannes Lions, accounting for 10% of all work submitted this year, up from 8% in 2025. Around 400 brands are expected in Cannes, with activity across the Brand Village, B2B Summit, LIONS Creators and the first LIONS Sport. Jim Stengel will also be honoured as the inaugural Lions Laureate for Marketing.

Independents are gaining ground as well, representing almost a third of all entries, while more Jury Presidents than ever before come from indie agencies. Cannes Lions has also introduced a Challenger Pass to give independently owned businesses broader access to the Festival.

For 2026, the Festival has expanded its leadership forums, including the returning CEO Forum and the new closed-door LIONS Global CMO Forum. Cannes Lions has also introduced new AI Craft subcategories across the craft-led Lions, recognising work where human creativity and artificial intelligence combine in service of the idea.

Cannes Lions takes place from 22-26 June in Cannes, France.