Call for Content Guide 2027

As we receive a high volume of submissions for a limited number of places on the programme, we’re unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful submissions.

Have a fully formed content idea? Pitch a session for the Cannes Lions programme.

You will propose the central idea, the speaker or speakers with the expertise and experience to deliver it and the best format to bring it to life.

Best for: organisations, individuals or collaborators with a distinctive session idea and a clear reason it belongs at Cannes Lions.

We want: one strong idea, relevant expertise, practical value and a format that earns the audience’s attention.

Avoid: company showcases, generic trend overviews and sales pitches – as well as defaulting to traditional formats like panels or fireside chats before exploring other options.

Know an exceptional CMO or moderator who should be part of the Cannes Lions programme? Are you a CMO or moderator yourself? Submit your nomination on your own behalf or on behalf of someone else.

Note that this route only applies to those looking to put forward a CMO for ‘CMOs in the Spotlight’ or a moderator to chair a session.

For CMOs, we’re looking for marketing leaders with genuine expertise, a strong point of view and something meaningful to share with the global creative community.

For moderators, we’re looking for skilled facilitators who can lead engaging conversations, ask the right questions and bring out the best in speakers and audiences.

Best for: CMOs with a distinctive perspective / experienced moderators, interviewers and facilitators.

We want: a clear explanation of why you’re recommending this person, what they’d bring to the Cannes Lions programme and the experience or expertise that makes them right for the role.

You can also apply to contribute to a talk being developed by the Cannes Lions Content team. Find out more about these opportunities here (link to Be part of a Cannes Lions Curated Series section).

Best for: people with a specific skill, perspective or area of expertise who don’t want to pitch a complete session.

We want: first-hand experience, deep subject-matter expertise, distinctive points of view, practical skills – anything that complements or challenges other voices in the room. Have a look at our Cannes Lions-curated talks to see how your expertise or perspective could add to the conversation.

Have an idea that belongs on a stage but isn't a traditional talk? We want to hear it.

Cannes Lions celebrates creativity in all its forms. We're looking for original performances that can surprise, move, entertain or challenge our audience – and bring the Festival programme to life in unexpected ways.

We’re open to ideas that create a memorable moment for the global creative community – from live music, comedy and spoken word to dance, theatre, visual art and experimental performance.

In your submission, tell us what the audience will experience, who will perform, why it belongs at Cannes Lions, approximate running time and any important staging or technical requirements.

Best for: performers, artists, creators and creative collaborators with an original performance concept that can create an unmissable live experience.

We want: distinctive creative talent, a strong concept, a clear connection to creativity or culture, and something that feels made to be experienced live.

Avoid: a traditional talk, presentation or set of practical takeaways. The creative experience itself can be the reason for being on stage.

The Brief: Inspire the global creative community with unconventional thinking and original problem-solving. Every session must premiere at LIONS – not be recycled from another event.

Think: Brave new ideas, genuinely fresh perspectives, and boundary-busting ideas – especially from unexpected disciplines.

The “Break the Mould” Test: Is this a fresh perspective premiering on a Lions stage – or a concept already circulating the industry?

The Brief: Be single-minded. Focus on a strong core idea and explore it with genuine depth and expertise. Don’t try and say it all and nothing at all.

Think: Simplicity wins. Ensure your key message is so clear, specific and thorough that delegates walk away genuinely knowledgeable.

The “One Liner” Test: Can you state the single central message in one sentence?

The Brief: Prioritise utility and practical application. Reward the audience’s attention with actionable guidance. Provide frameworks, honest lessons from failure and tips and tools delegates can apply immediately.

Think: Need to know practical takeaways over vague manifestos.

The “So What” Test: Will this content help delegates do their jobs better, or is it just nice to know? Does it answer the “so what?” question?

The Brief: Challenge expectations and traditions. Ask unconventional and counter-intuitive questions. Don’t play it safe. Pose thorny challenges paired with radical, well-reasoned solutions that spark debate and move the industry forward.

Think: Healthy contention and challenging comfortable industry assumptions

The “Can We Say That” Test: If the proposal makes you wonder ‘can we really ask this on stage?’ then you’re in the right territory.

The Brief: Connect directly to the immediate commercial, strategic and creative challenges facing marketers, agencies and the wider creative economy. We want ideas rooted in current realities and industry shifts.

Think: Urgency. Seize the moment and show why this idea matters, today.

The “Why Now” Test: Could you have delivered this exact talk a year ago? If so, it lacks urgency.

The Brief: Bake diversity, equity and inclusion into the content. Actively seek and include global perspectives and voices from underrepresented communities in your presentation. Step outside the marketing bubble, to bring inspirational thinkers from other creative disciplines and beyond.

Think: Diversity of thought, background, geography and lived experience broadens the conversation.

The “Whose Voice is Missing” Test: Whose voice, discipline or lived experience is missing from the conversation and how might you include them?

The Brief: Speakers should have genuine authority, ownership and lived experience or direct proximity to the topic or work being shared on stage.

Think: Speakers who have direct, meaningful connection bring passion, authenticity and first-hand evidence.

The “Proximity” Test: Is this person closest to the work, strategy or experience – or just a senior figurehead presenting someone else’s thinking?

The Brief: Create a memorable and captivating narrative experience that maximises the visual possibilities and emotional potential of the stage. We’d rather dial down a wild format than try to dial up a generic corporate lecture. Note: sales pitches won’t make the cut.

Think: Compelling stagecraft, magical, enthralling storytelling and jaw-dropping demonstrations. How can you make the audience feel something?

The “Gift vs Pitch” Test: Is this session a genuine gift of valuable storytelling – or is it a disguised sales pitch, agency showreel, or corporate presentation?

We receive thousands of content submissions for a limited number of opportunities on the Cannes Lions stages. Give us a clear reason to choose yours.

Bring us something original. Make it useful. Challenge us. And show us why it needs to happen at Cannes Lions in 2027.