Every year, in June to be precise, Cannes hosts the International Festival of Creativity, better known as Cannes Lions. This landmark event brings together advertising, marketing, and communications professionals from around the world.

Le Cannes Lions Festival recognizes creative excellence through prestigious awards. It features conferences led by industry leaders and offers unique networking opportunities.

What is the Cannes Lions Festival?

Definition and history: from the origins to today

The Cannes Lions Festival was founded in 1954 in Venice. At that time, the event was known as the "International Advertising Film Festival." It aimed to bring together European advertising professionals to celebrate creative excellence.

In 1984, the festival moved permanently to Cannes , taking advantage of the city's infrastructure, already known for its film festival. The name "Lions" refers to the winged lions of St. Mark's Square in Venice, the original location of the event.

Today, the festival welcomes over 15 attendees from 000 countries. It spans 90 days and features over 5 content sessions.

The pillars of the event: prizes, conferences and networking

The festival is based on three main components: the Lions Awards, conferences and networking. 

The Lions Awards reward the best advertising creations in 28 different categories. Each year, more than 30 works are submitted and evaluated by international juries.

Conferences include keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops led by CEOs, creative directors, and recognized experts. These sessions cover industry trends, innovations, and challenges.

Networking is organized around official and private events that facilitate professional meetings and future collaborations.

The award categories: honoring creative excellence in all its forms

Alongside this global approach, the organisation of the festival is based around a particularly developed system of categories.

Overview of the main categories

The 28 categories cover all modern creative formats:

Film : TV, cinema and online video advertisements
Print & Publishing : creations for magazines, newspapers and editorial media
Outdoor : urban displays and creative installations
Radio & Audio : radio spots, podcasts and sound experiences
Digital Craft : technical and creative digital excellence
Entertainment : projects combining advertising and entertainment
Health & Wellness : campaigns dedicated to well-being
Creative Data : innovative use of data
PR : creative public relations
Brand Experience & Activation : immersive brand experiences
Media : creative media planning and buying
Social & Influencer : social media strategies
Sustainable Development Goals : campaigns contributing to the UN SDGs

The Grand Prix and the Special Lions: Summits of Creativity

The Grand Prize represents the highest distinction in each category. Only exceptional works that redefine creative standards are awarded.

Three Special Lions complete the list of winners:

• Titanium Lion : revolutionary ideas that are transforming the industry
• Glass Lion : campaigns promoting gender equality
• Grand Prix for Good : creations with positive social impact

Why attend or follow the Cannes Lions festival? Benefits and opportunities

Given the diversity of the program, different audiences find specific motivations for being interested in the festival.

For industry professionals

Professionals discover the latest creative and technological trends. Access to conferences allows them to hear global leaders share their strategies and visions.

Networking, moreover, facilitates meetings with potential partners from around the world. For entrepreneurs, participation increases their reputation and attracts top talent.

For students and young talents: a springboard for the future

The Young Lions Competitions program allows people under 30 to compete in creative challenges. Winners receive international recognition and internship opportunities.

Exposure to the world's best creations inspires and trains future professionals to industry standards.

For brands and advertisers: a strategic lever

Brands identify the most creative and innovative agencies. Analysis of award-winning campaigns reveals new consumer expectations and emerging formats.

This creative monitoring guides future advertising investments and helps select the right partners.

How to follow the Cannes Lions festival? Don't miss a thing!

Given these multiple interests, there are several ways to enjoy the event.

Attend in person: ticketing and logistics

Dates : Usually in the third week of June. The 2025 event took place from June 16 to June 20.
Location : Palace of Festivals and Congresses, Cannes

Types of passes :

• Classic Pass: €4 
• Pass for marketers: €6 – €400
• Entrepreneur Pass: around €1
• VIP Pass: €6 – €000
• Student pass: €995

Hosting Book at least 6 months in advance. Expect to pay between €200 and €800 per night, depending on the standard.

Transport : The airport Nice-Côte d'Azur is 27km from Cannes. Shuttles, trains and limousine and van services are available to take you to Cannes.

Follow remotely: online resources and social media

Official site : canneslions.com for the program, archives and registrations

Live broadcast : The main conferences are broadcast free of charge

Official social networks :

• Twitter: @Cannes_Lions
• Instagram: @cannes_lions
• LinkedIn: Cannes Lions
• YouTube: LIONS | The Home of Creativity

Official hashtags : #CannesLions #CannesLions2025

The Cannes Lions Festival remains the global benchmark for creative excellence. Whether on-site or remotely, this event immerses you in the latest innovations redefining the future of communication. Cannes welcomes top advertising professionals, passionate students, and a curious public, all united by the quest for creativity.

For professionals on the Côte d'Azur, this is a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with the international creative elite without leaving the region. This geographical proximity represents a considerable advantage for developing one's network and knowledge of the industry.