Dates and Fees

Entries open – 14 October 2020

First late fee applies – After 11 March 2021

Second late fee applies – After 25 March 2021

Third late fee applies – After 8 April 2021

Final deadline – 15 April 2021

When can I make entries for '2020 work' and '2021 work'?

We are accepting entries until 30 June 2020 at which point we will close, we will then re-open in October 2020. In light of the disruption faced by the industry, we are opening earlier than usual to give you more time to prepare your entries for judging in 2021. The final deadline for entries is 15 April 2021.

You can enter either ‘2020 work’ or ‘2021 work’ when we are open during the above periods, up until the final deadline in April 2021.

Eligibility Dates

Is your work eligible for the Festival?

To ensure that work judged at Cannes Lions is fresh and reflective of the work that drives the industry forward it is important we structure the festival with eligibility dates. Eligibility dates are dependent on the Lion that is being entered.

If you're not sure whether your work is eligible get in touch. We strongly recommend checking eligibility before you start to create your entry submissions (see info on refunds and withdrawals).

The work eligible for each year’s festival will be judged separately. Separate Lions will be awarded accordingly.

Work for the 2020 eligibility period: aired for the first time between 1 March 2019 – 31 May 2020. Referred to as ‘2020 work’.

Work for the 2021 eligibility period: aired for the first time between 1 June 2020 – 30 April 2021. Referred to as ‘2021 work’.

For ‘2020 work’ the following eligibility applies.

For the following awards the eligibility dates are 1 March 2019 - 31 May 2020. A minimum of two thirds of the campaign implementation must have run within these dates:

• Brand Experience & Activation
• Creative Data
• Creative eCommerce
• Design
• Digital Craft
• Direct
• Entertainment
• Entertainment Lions for Music
• Entertainment Lions for Sport
• Glass: The Lion for Change
• Health & Wellness
• Innovation
• Media
• Mobile
• Pharma
• PR
• Social & Influencer
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Titanium

For the following awards the eligibility dates are 1 March 2019 - 31 May 2020. All element(s) / executions being entered / judged must have been implemented for the first time within these dates:

• Film
• Film Craft
• Industry Craft
• Outdoor
• Print & Publishing
• Radio & Audio

Can I re-enter my work if I entered it in 2019?

The same piece of work cannot be submitted into the same Lion in consecutive years, however, providing the eligibility dates are met, you may enter the work into an alternative Lion.

We understand that some work spans several years, in these cases you will need to demonstrate a significant evolution in order to be considered.

The Festival has the right to decide if the entry has evolved sufficiently and can be deemed as a new, eligible entry.

If you're not sure whether your work is eligible get in touch. We strongly recommend checking eligibility before you start to create your entry submissions (see info on refunds and withdrawals).

Refunds/cancellations for 2020 work

This helpful summary is only a guide to the key points about refunds/cancellations. It is not a substitute for reading the full rules of entering, terms & conditions, refunds/cancellations and our policies on ineligible and "scam" entries, which you can download here.

• Entrant withdraws on or before 12 March 2020 – receiving a refund or credit
  An entrant may withdraw their entries on or before 12 March 2020 for any reason and be eligible for a refund of the entry fee paid less a processing fee of €220 or credit for entries or delegate passes in 2021.
• Entrant withdraws after 12 March 2020 – not receiving a refund or credit
  An entrant may withdraw their entries after 12 March 2020 but will not be eligible for a refund or credit.