73rd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity opens Monday 

International  Jurors have gathered in Cannes, with ten shortlists now released

Brands and Indies continue to grow their presence across the Lions

  

With the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity due to commence in France on Monday, over 300 global Jurors have now gathered in Cannes to judge this year’s 20,050 awards submissions, which have come from 92 countries.  

For 2026, Cannes Lions introduced new Awards Integrity Standards across all categories, ensuring that as the industry continues to evolve and creativity continues to break new ground, entry credibility, results legitimacy and judging integrity remain non-negotiable pillars for recognising creative excellence. In their first year, the additional rigour these Standards have introduced has supported the overall quality of award entries, while driving a more focused approach to award submissions as a whole.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS said: “We have been working closely with our international community over the last year on what are considered and significant steps, and thank everyone for their support, cooperation and leadership. Together, we understand that these strengthened standards are not designed to restrict creativity, but to fortify it – ensuring breakthrough work gets the recognition it deserves, while preserving the integrity that makes the recognition meaningful and enduring.”

Today, shortlists have been released for the Health & Wellness, Outdoor, Creative B2B, Pharma, Print & Publishing and Audio & Radio Lions. Additionally, 10 pieces of work have been shortlisted for the inaugural Creative Brand Lions, which recognises the use of systems, cultures, and capabilities available to brand marketers that make world-class creative work inevitable.  

The presence and influence of Brands continues to grow across Cannes Lions, including within the Awards, with 10% of all work submitted by Brands this year, up from 8% in 2025.  Approximately 400 brands will be in Cannes, with presence across the dedicated Brand Village, B2B Summit, LIONS Creators, and the first LIONS Sport. Cannes Lions also recently announced that industry pioneer Jim Stengel will be honoured as the inaugural Lions Laureate for Marketing.

Independents – including Indie Networks – are playing an increasingly significant role too. This year, Independents make up almost a third of all entries and there are more Jury Presidents representing Indie agencies than ever before. The continuing growth of Indies is reflected across the broader Festival too, with the introduction of a Challenger Pass giving independently-owned businesses full Classic pass access – providing greater access for independent voices to be part of the conversations that define what comes next.  

For 2026, the Festival has expanded its leadership forums, serving the growing number of leading CEOs and CMOs who recognise the deep connection between creative marketing and the boardroom growth agenda. This year sees the return of the CEO Forum, which takes place on the first day of the Festival and welcomes 50 global CEOs to a confidential space to learn, exchange ideas and connect. New for this year is the LIONS Global CMO Forum, launching as a closed door, peer-level format, where the world’s leading global marketers can speak candidly, learn from and challenge each other, and engage with the real issues they’re navigating across growth, capital allocation, and influence at board level.

Elsewhere in the Lions, the Craft Lions continue to see sustained engagement. This year, Cannes Lions introduced new AI Craft subcategories across the craft-led Lions, to recognise work where human creativity and artificial intelligence come together to create ideas that neither could achieve alone. The focus is on recognising genuine craft, artistry and intent, where AI works in service of the idea.  

About the Awards, Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS said: “Our industry is constantly shifting, adapting and innovating, and 2026 feels like it will be remembered as a transformative year for many reasons. We know from our 73-year history that the Awards reflect industry disruption, but also opportunity; and we can see that through greater engagement from Brand marketers and Independents. Given the shifts we’re witnessing in the industry right now, coming together to navigate those, and celebrate the work that sets the standard for creativity, feels more essential than ever.”  

Cannes Lions takes place from 22-26 June in Cannes, France. A breadth of pass opportunities are available and the full programme – including for the sector specific LIONS Sport, LIONS Creators and LIONS B2B – is available at www.canneslions.com.