Awards Entry Process FAQs

The work must have been created within the context of a normal paying contract and genuine brief from a brand OR, if it’s a case of self-promotion or a non-profit organisation, the brand has approved all the media / production / implementation.

The key eligibility dates for Cannes Lions 2025 are 06 February 2025 - 09 April 2026. Eligibility dates are dependent on the Lion that is being entered. Please check the eligibility criteria for each Lion on our Rules & Eligibility page.

If you're not sure whether your work is eligible, get in touch.

You’ll find a breakdown of all the Awards and their categories, including their judging criteria and material requirements, in the Entry Kit: Getting Ready To Enter. Awards Experts are available all year to talk you through the process and give you further advice about any specific queries, including help with category selection.

The Supporting Material Guidelines can be found in Entry Kit: Getting Ready to Enter.

Contact our Awards experts to discuss how we can help you with your entry process.

No. Everything included in your entry, including media assets, must be the final version at the point that you complete and check out your entry. No replacement or additional media can be accepted after an entry has been submitted and received by the Festival without exception.

We accept credit card and bank transfer payments.

If you wish to change your payment method after you’ve submitted your entries, please get in touch with our Awards experts for more information.

Payment is due immediately upon entry into the Cannes Lion Awards.

The entry fee is charged per individual entry, i.e. one piece of work entered in a single category. Fees differ per Award; you can check the fees here.

Each individual entry will have a unique entry ID, for example, 00013.

In some Lions and categories, multiple executions can be entered as a campaign where you will pay just once for the entire campaign.

You can review which Lions you can enter multiple executions into as a campaign in the description of each award in Entry Kit: Getting Ready to Enter.

Or if you are in any doubt, please contact our Awards Team for support.

After completing your payment, you will receive your tax invoice within one to two weeks.

If you paid via bank transfer, ensure you send a copy of the transfer confirmation and the proforma invoice to finance@canneslions.com.

No. Everything included in your entry, including media assets, must be the final version at the point that you complete and check out your entry. No replacement or additional media can be accepted after an entry has been submitted and received by the Festival without exception.

If there are any issues with your submission, the first step you must take is to get in touch with the Awards Team. We can provide advice and talk to you about the most appropriate next step. Any Entry Fees due but unpaid at the time of withdrawal are immediately due and payable.

Refunds on or before 5 March 2026 An entrant may withdraw their entries on or before 5 March 2026 for any reason and be eligible for a refund of the entry fee paid, less a processing fee of €270.

No refunds after 5 March 2026 An entrant may withdraw their entries after 5 March 2026 if payment has been made; then, they will not be eligible for a refund. We request immediate settlement if payment has not yet been made, as the entrants are still liable to pay for entries.

After submission, each entry is reviewed by our Awards Experts before it is presented to the Jury.

Please make sure that the Entry Contact is ready to be contacted by our team if we have any need for clarification about your entry. Find out more about what happens after you submit in our Cannes Lions Entry Guide.

If you're a winner, a member of our team will be in touch with the good news and next steps.

Winning at Cannes Lions is a huge achievement. It puts you among the creative elite and deserves to be celebrated. Ordering duplicate trophies and certificates to reward the team behind your winning work is a meaningful way to do this.

All credited Cannes Lions winners, both companies and individuals, can purchase additional hand-crafted Cannes Lions trophies and certificates. Visit the Cannes Lions store to place your order. If you have any questions, please contact merchandise@canneslions.com.