Film Lions

The Film Lions celebrate the creativity of the moving image.

Introduction

The history of the Film Lions

The Film Lions are one of the most prestigious and enduring Awards at Cannes Lions, celebrating creativity in visual storytelling through the medium of film. Introduced as the only award at the Festival's inception in 1954, the Film Lions were created to honour excellence in cinematic advertising, recognising commercials that captivate audiences with compelling narratives, exceptional craft, and innovative techniques.

Over the decades, the award has evolved to reflect changes in the industry, expanding beyond traditional television spots to include digital films, branded content, and innovative video formats. The Film Lions remain a benchmark for outstanding storytelling, honouring work that not only entertains but also connects deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impression and driving brand impact.

As branded communications has shifted to new platforms, the Film Lions continue to celebrate the enduring power of the moving image to tell stories that resonate across cultures and generations.

Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?

Eligible work includes television commercials (TVCs), cinema, online and viral films, videos for events and other screens. It can also include innovative formats like interactive and immersive videos, 360° video, VR films, and microfilms (e.g., Instagram/Snap).

What are the judging criteria?

The main criteria considered during judging will be the idea, the execution and the impact.

Eligibility

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

All Film executions must have run within the eligibility period.

Film Grand Prix

Two Grands Prix are always selected for the Film Lions: one from Section A: TV/Cinema Film: Sectors and one from Sections B-F.

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

There is no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Film as long as the categories chosen are relevant.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once into section ‘A. TV/Cinema Film: Sectors’ and once into section 'B. Online Film: Sectors'.
  • In sections A, B, C and D each execution constitutes one entry. In Sections E and F multiple executions may be entered as one entry.
  • Multiple microfilm executions can be entered as one entry up to a maximum of 60 seconds. Each microfilm should be a maximum of 15 seconds in length and all entries must have run within the eligibility period.

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?

Exceptional execution paired with a powerful creative concept that aligns seamlessly with the brand. Work must showcase outstanding brand storytelling crafted specifically for the screen—whether for TV, cinema, online platforms, or out-of-home experiences.

  • A strong insight, impressive execution and tangible results that link to the objective
  • Considered craft (viral film, microfilm, screens/events, 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 Film Jurors

“Focus on telling a story that only you could tell, with exceptional craft and absolute clarity of purpose. Originality matters, but authenticity matters even more. Great film doesn’t simply impress, it moves people emotionally while serving the idea behind the work.”

Femi Odugbemi | CEO, Zuri24 Media Lagos

“My advice for Film Lions would be to obsess over clarity. The strongest films had one clear idea at their heart, and every creative decision made that idea stronger. Great film is the perfect marriage of idea and execution.”

Ash Chagla | Chief Creative Officer, Science & Sunshine

“Take the time to focus on outcomes and results alongside craft and omnichannel roll-out and all the wonderful details in the work.”

Janne Brenda Lysø | Executive Creative Director, POL

The Categories

A. TV/Cinema Film: Sectors

Films that aired on TV or in cinemas. All films must be 180 seconds or fewer. The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.

NO PROJECT WITHOUT DRAMA | HORNBACH | HEIMAT\TBWA, BERLIN | GOLD, TRAVEL, LEISURE, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS & FAST-FOOD CHAINS | 2026

B. Online Film: Sectors

Films that aired online, including pre-roll adverts. The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.

MOTHER STRIKE | SNACK JACK | HANAMI FOOD, BANGKOK | BRONZE, CONSUMER GOODS | 2026

C. Viral Film

APPLE MUSIC X BAD BUNNY HALFTIME SHOW - SHOT ON IPHONE | APPLE | HPLA, LOS ANGELES | GOLD, VIRAL FILM | 2026

D. Screens & Events

Films that aired on screens other than TV, cinema or online.

ORIGINAL FOREVER | ADIDAS | JOHANNES LEONARDO, NEW YORK | BRONZE, SCREENS & EVENTS | 2026

E. Innovation in Film

Innovative use of the film medium to communicate a brand’s message.

If you’re submitting a series of films, please upload all executions in a single video file with slates denoting the start of the next execution.

WILLY CHAVARRIA - ETERNO | WILLY CHAVARRIA | ICONOCLAST, PARIS | SHORTLISTED, ONLINE & VIRAL FILM | 2026

F. Culture & Context

Work that is brought to life through cultural insights and regional context.

If you're submitting a series of films, please upload all executions in a single video file with slates denoting the start of the next execution.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY | MISSING PEOPLE | BBH, LONDON | GOLD, USE OF HUMOUR | 2026

The Written Submission

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

To start your entry to the Film Lions, 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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