Entertainment Lions for Music

The Entertainment Lions for Music celebrate creative musical collaborations and branded music content.

Introduction

The history of the Entertainment Lions for Music

The Entertainment Lions for Music were the first specialist discipline to branch out of the original Entertainment Lions, marking a significant expansion to the Awards’ scope. Launched in 2016, this Lion was introduced to celebrate the long-established and ever-evolving role of music in creative campaigns, acknowledging how it has become an integral part of storytelling across various media.

The Entertainment Lions for Music celebrate work that uses music not only as a tool for emotional connection and brand storytelling but also as a central element of the content’s creative production, promotion, and distribution. It recognises work where music plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall narrative and audience engagement, whether through original compositions, strategic licensing or innovative collaborations.

Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?

Eligible work may include original compositions, licensed tracks, or remixes that elevate the narrative of branded content, advertisements, or campaigns. This Lion also recognises collaborations between brands and artists, such as bespoke music videos, live performances, or innovative partnerships that create a unique cultural connection.

Additionally, work leveraging music to drive social impact, launch new products, or engage communities through interactive or immersive experiences are welcomed.

Brands refers to talent, artists, creators, influencers, organisations, sponsors, platforms, media owners, rights holders or any entity that produces and distributes products and content related to the music industry.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?

There’s no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into the Entertainment Lions for Music as long as the categories chosen are relevant.

What are the judging criteria?

A number of criteria will be considered during judging, weighted as follows: 30% creative idea; 20% strategy & insight; 30% craft & execution; 20% results.

Eligibility

Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 01 February 2026 - 08 April 2027.

What do I need to provide with my entry?

To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.

Subtitles are highly recommended on all case films, films, demo films and original content.

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on our Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.

What if I don’t have all the details right away?

Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.

Integrity Measures

All entries must provide Proof of Impact for every claim made in the written submission and supporting material. This material is compulsory for each entry, and types of sources accepted include third-party analytics, platform analytics, public reports, images of account dashboards, or client letter on official company letterhead.

Each entry must also receive Authorisation to Submit by the most senior executive at both the entrant company (CEO or equivalent) and the brand that commissioned the work (CMO or equivalent). This happens after your entry has been checked out and processed by the Awards team and is a compulsory step in the process.

More information on these new measures can be found on the Integrity Standards.

What if I don’t have all the details right away?

Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.

Entry Tips

What’s the Jury looking for?

Innovative uses of music that elevate storytelling, evoke powerful emotions, and forge strong connections with audiences. The Jury look for originality, cultural relevance and authenticity, as well as the strategic integration of music to achieve measurable results.

  • A strong insight, impressive execution and real results that link back to the objective
  • Considered craft (music videos, live experiences, original composition, etc.)

Advice from the Jury

We asked last year’s Jury for tips for future entrants. Some common themes that emerged across all the Awards were:

Be clear on the problem and the solution

  • Clearly state the problem your work solves. Tell the story clearly and without overclaiming on results or impact. Don’t make the Jury work to connect dots. Keep the main idea simple enough to explain in one sentence.

Focus on one story

  • Lean into one clear story. It's tempting to pack in everything you're proud of, but the entries that resonate most are the ones that pick a single thread and follow it all the way through. Avoid including too many claims with regard to impact, instead focus on the most relevant and impactful results.

Tailor the entry to the category

  • Treat each entry as its own creative brief. Every submission should clearly make the case for why the work belongs in that specific Lion and subcategory. Don’t copy/paste, fill your forms out with care and attention – the Jury will come back to them time and time again.

Context is key

  • Remember the Jury are from all over the world, so provide context to ensure they understand the significance of your results and the relevance of any cultural insight.

Advice from the 2026 Entertainment Lions for Music Jury:

“For Entertainment Lions for Music, the key is to ensure that music is truly driving the idea. The most compelling work is not just inspired by music or attached to it, it could only exist because of music, its cultural role, and its emotional power. Just as important is authenticity. The work needs to feel real, committed, and culturally alive, with a genuine connection between the brand, the artist, and the audience.”

Corinna Martínez | Partner & Head of Production, Mastodonte Films

Inside the Jury Room: Entertainment Lions for Music

To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.

The Categories

A. Branded Content for Music

Creative music content to promote a track, album, artist or brand.

ROSALÍA FT. BJÖRK, YVES TUMOR - BERGHAIN | ROSALÍA | CANADA, BARCELONA | GRAND PRIX, EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC VIDEO | 2026

B. Music-Led Brand Experience

Meaningful, engaging experiences and activations created to attract or maintain an audience.

HEINEQUEEN | HEINEKEN | LEPUB, SAO PAULO | SHORTLISTED, LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE | 2025

C. Community

Work that focuses on the development, maintenance and nurturing of a community or fanbase.

AXA x SONITA : THE LONE VOICE | AXA | PUBLICIS CONSEIL, PARIS | BRONZE, FAN ENGAGEMENT/ COMMUNITY BUILDING | 2026

D. Partnerships

Exceptional strategic partnerships between brands and music entities.

BAD BUNNY HALFTIME SHOW CAMPAIGN | APPLE | APPLE, CUPERTINO | SILVER, PARTNERSHIPS WITH MUSIC TALENT | 2026

E. Challenges & Breakthroughs

Creative and innovative work that is brought to life through deep cultural insight, regional context and progressive thinking.

TRACKING BAD BUNNY | RIMAS MUSIC | DDB LATINA, PUERTO RICO | GRAND PRIX, ENTERTAINMENT LIONS FOR MUSIC | 2025

The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.

To start your entry to the Entertainment Lions for Music, go to our Awards page.

The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.

When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).

The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.

Questions

Category Specific Questions

Contact us

We're here to help

Our Awards Experts can help with:

  • Explaining the updates to the Awards for 2027
  • Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
  • Discussing your work and relevant categories
  • Understanding how to use the entry system
  • Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process

Email: awards@canneslions.com Book a call

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