AI is everywhere in advertising, and audiences are already pushing back. Not against the technology itself, but against how it’s often used.

This session tackles questions the industry can’t avoid: how do we use AI without losing craft, authorship and trust? What does creative control look like across technology, production, brand and media? How can AI meet the standards of the big screen?

Bringing together leaders from cinema, creative technology, filmmaking and brand marketing, the session explores how AI can be used with creative control, not as a shortcut. Using cinema as the ultimate benchmark, it shows how premium AI, guided by human intent and discipline, can elevate brand storytelling and deliver creative expression worthy of the big screen.

Speaker:
Kathryn Jacob OBE, Creative Control: Premium AI Meets the Big Screen @SAWA
Joaquín Cuenca, Founder & CEO @FREEPIK
Billy Bohan Chinique, VP, Marketing & Digital Innovation @VIRGIN VOYAGES
Nik Kleverov, CCO @ NATIVE FOREIGN

We start the week with an exclusive get-together at the Weischer Haus including Cannes Impact. In a relaxed atmosphere, you will have the opportunity to network with other Executive Programme participants and Cannes jurors and make valuable initial contacts.

In addition to the get-together, a real highlight awaits you!
We kick off the week with an exclusive get-together at the Weischer House, including Cannes Impact. In a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow participants of the Executive Program as well as Cannes jurors and make valuable first connections.

In addition to the get-together, another true highlight awaits you:

Insights from the Jury Room
with Claudia Hesse (Hesse Voices), Hannah Johnson (Snap Inc) and Micha Wilk (Serviceplan ZERO)

What really happens behind the closed doors of the jury rooms? Straight from the very first day of the festival, three insiders will share insights into the discussions, tensions, and evaluation criteria that determine who takes home a Lion. What trends are already emerging from the submissions? Where are creative standards shifting, and which topics are dominating the debates? With a clear insider advantage, the speakers will share their first observations and gut feelings for the week ahead. A session for everyone who wants to understand what truly matters in Cannes and which impulses are shaping tomorrow’s marketing agenda.

Each year, Cannes Lions honours an individual who has harnessed their platform to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world, recognising those who use creativity, influence and leadership as a force for good.

The recipient of the 2026 Cannes LionHeart is Oprah Winfrey. One of the Festival's most prestigious Awards, it celebrates individuals who are driving positive change, challenging the status quo, and inspiring others through their actions and their voice.

Past recipients include some of the world's most inspiring figures, each demonstrating the power of creativity to shift perspectives and create real-world impact.

Oprah Winfrey will be recognised during the Festival, including a keynote session and presentation at the Awards Show.

Speaker:
Oprah Winfrey, Global media leader, producer, philanthropist, actress and author

Space powers brands through connectivity, data, climate insight and global storytelling, yet many creatives overlook its potential. The issue isn’t access – it’s understanding. As space integrates into everyday systems, it unlocks creative and strategic opportunities that remain underutilised. This session simplifies space’s complexity for marketers and creatives, featuring insights from renowned physicist Brian Cox and Sian Leo Proctor, the first woman commercial spaceship pilot – alongside the United Nations, the world’s greatest storyteller of our shared human future. Discover how space is transforming idea development, enabling new tools and technologies and offering teams a competitive edge. The takeaway is clear: space is no longer just a theme or metaphor – it’s an essential part of the creative brief.

Speaker:
Professor Brian Cox, School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and CERN
Dr Sian Leo Proctor, Visionary Artist, Futurist & Explorer @SPACE2INSPIRE
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director @ United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

At a time when many brands are searching for relevance and clear differentiation, strategic clarity, consistent brand management, and strong creative craftsmanship are becoming increasingly important again. It is precisely within this dynamic that the Audi Revolut F1 Team is emerging as a new brand in the pinnacle of motorsport. This is not just about entering Formula 1, but about building an independent brand ecosystem — with a clear positioning, long-term ambition, and a modern understanding of partnerships. Sponsors are no longer seen merely as visibility on the car, but as an integral part of the brand and its experiences.

At the same time, one key question arises: How do you emotionally engage people with a new brand — even before the first race has been driven? Because successful brands today are no longer built on reach alone, but on relevance, identification, and the feeling of being part of something new.

Benjamin Reininger, Director Marketing & Brand at the Audi Revolut F1 Team, provides insights into this brand-building process: How do you establish a completely new brand on one of the world’s biggest global stages within a very short time? What role do classic branding principles play in combination with digital platforms, content, and off-track activations? And how do technical precision, strategic clarity, and creative craft come together to create a brand that has impact both on and off the track — and that connects with people emotionally?

In conversation with Franziska Knoefel, it becomes clear why clearly defined and consistent approaches often create a more lasting impact today than the next loud hype — and how this leads to new, defining brand imagery and genuine emotional connection.

Speaker:
Ben Reiniger (Audi Revolut F1)

Exclusive Jury Insights & Success Strategies from Cannes

Experience firsthand what it means to be a Cannes Lions jury member and gain exclusive insights into award-winning campaigns.

Lorenz Langgartner, Global ECD @Serviceplan and juror of the Print & Publishing category, takes you on an exciting jury tour and provides insights into the decision-making processes behind the festival's best works.

After the Palais tour, we will attend the award show for the categories together: Film Craft, Digital Craft, Design, Sport, Music, Entertainment, Gaming, Industry Craft.

We will end the day in style - with an exclusive networking dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.

The perfect opportunity to make new contacts, see familiar faces again and deepen conversations - without any program pressure, but with plenty of room for real exchange.

At our joint breakfast with cherrypicker and OWM, we’re especially looking forward this year to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the newly awarded “Sheep Happens” case.

Sheep Happens: Why the Best Ideas Don’t Always Make It into the Annual Plan
German Breakfast by cherrypicker, OWM & Weischer with Dr. Jan Flemming and Paulina Schumann

Every year in Cannes, outstanding campaigns are celebrated. Yet many of them share one thing in common: they were planned long in advance. But is that still enough in a culture that evolves almost daily? More and more brands are realizing that relevance is not created by strategy alone, but by the ability to act at the right moment.

Using PENNY’s “Sheep Happens” campaign as a case study, Dr. Jan Flemming and Paulina Schumann explore why speed today is ultimately a matter of trust. They discuss the dynamics between brands and agencies, approval processes that cannot anticipate every twist and turn, and the willingness to rethink established workflows in favor of greater impact.

Speaker:
Dr. Jan Flemming, Geschäftsleiter PENNY Marketing & REWE Group Media
Paulina Schumann, Co-Founder charles & charlotte

What cultural, technological and societal shifts will shape the brands of tomorrow? And how can businesses identify the signals today that will determine their future relevance?

Join us aboard the Insight Boat as we explore these questions with one of the leading voices in strategic foresight and future trends.

Meredith Smith (Global Head of Future Strategies, SAMY) will share exclusive insights into the cultural, technological and behavioural changes transforming markets, consumer expectations and brand communication. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in futures and innovation strategy, Meredith will reveal how organisations can identify emerging trends early and turn them into powerful strategies for sustainable growth.

The conversation will be moderated by Virginie Briand (Lead Partner Marketing Transformation @ Deloitte Digital).

Expect inspiring perspectives, engaging discussions and fresh ideas on how brands can remain relevant in an ever-expanding social universe – all while enjoying a delicious lunch buffet on the water in the heart of Cannes.

Exclusive perspectives, influential voices, future-focused insights and a unique networking experience on the Mediterranean.

In this talk, Alex Weller, VP Creative at Patagonia, explores the tension – and opportunity – between staying true to strongly held values while operating a brand at global scale. Drawing on his experience of creative development at Patagonia, Alex examines how integrity, transparency and accountability can act not as constraints on creativity and growth, but as drivers – and how storytelling fuels both impact and value creation. Through real decisions, trade-offs, and lessons learned, progress is reframed as an ongoing, imperfect practice. Alex’s story offers a grounded perspective on how brands can scale their influence without compromising who they are – or why they exist.

Questions this session will answer:

What does “progress” mean today for a values led company?
How authentic storytelling drives both impact and value creation?
How to make trade offs when there is no perfect solution

Speaker:
Alex Weller, VP of Creative @Patagonia

with Prisca Martaguet (Reporters Without Borders), Odile Breffa (Innocean Berlin) & Gabriel Mattar (Innocean Berlin)

Press freedom is under pressure. Disinformation often spreads faster than facts, while growing social polarization challenges democratic institutions around the world. In this environment, what responsibility do brands have, and how can agencies help them make the right decisions?

Starting from current developments surrounding press freedom in Germany, this panel explores the role the communications industry can play in strengthening an independent media landscape and fostering democratic cohesion. The latest campaign by Reporters Without Borders serves as a powerful example of how communication can create meaningful societal impact.

Against this backdrop, the discussion will examine how agencies can advise brands to think beyond traditional marketing objectives and create lasting value for society. It will also explore how brands can contribute to stronger communities and democratic values beyond the products and services they offer.

A session about responsibility, effective consultancy, and the role of creativity and media in driving not only efficiency and reach, but also democratic values, social cohesion, and positive societal impact.

For Google DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis, the fusion of technology and art is a lifelong pursuit. It began in the early ‘90s while he was designing best-selling simulation games like Theme Park, and continues today at Google DeepMind, where the team is building AI tools to empower artistic expression – while pushing the boundaries of AI.

Speaker:
Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder and CEO @Google Deepmind
In this fireside chat, Demis will discuss Google DeepMind’s collaborations with artists across film, games, and music, and how these partnerships are steering AI towards authentic storytelling. Hear the leader of one of the world’s frontier AI labs talk about his vision for how AI can help to build a future that respects, empowers and expands human creative expression.

Experience inspiring conversations, valuable networking moments, and relaxed exchange with leading figures from the creative and marketing industry—set in the exclusive atmosphere of the Weischer House.

We enjoy the evening with a multi-course menu, musical highlights, and a relaxed closing in the garden with drinks and sweet treats. The musical highlight is provided by our partner BMG.

Let’s enjoy the festival spirit away from the Croisette—with creative impulses, first-class networking, and unforgettable moments.

The Inspiration Boat is one of the most content-rich and lasting experiences of the festival week.

Together with Digital Craft juror Hannah Johnson and a select group of guests, we’ll head out on a boat tour offering a behind-the-scenes perspective.

In a small, relaxed setting, Hannah will provide exclusive insights into current developments and trends in the Digital Craft category.

Before heading to the German Beach with our shuttles, we’ll kick off the evening with a sundowner at the Weischer House.

Would you like to experience the German creative scene in Cannes up close? Then there's no way around the German Beach - the fixed highlight of Cannes Lions week!

For over 20 years, we have been bringing together more than 500 guests from agencies, media and companies. They network, discuss and celebrate in a relaxed beach atmosphere - with a view of the sea.

Our partner BMG provides the musical backdrop.

Whether old acquaintances or new contacts: The German Beach is the place where the German creative industry comes together. Personal, loud, warm - and a little bit magical every year.

Join us for a thrilling celebration of the best and brightest young minds in the creative industry. The Young Lions Competitions Winners Announcement is the culmination of months of hard work and fierce competition as young professionals from around the world compete to showcase their creative skills and win the coveted Young Lions Competition Award.

From graphic design to advertising, digital marketing to social media, these talented young professionals have pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation to bring their ideas to life. The Awards Ceremony is an opportunity to recognise their achievements and celebrate the next generation of creative talent.

What is it about some pieces of work that makes them stand out to a Jury? What does it take to become a Lion winner?

Join this session to get first-hand insights into why this year’s Jury decided on the work that will set the benchmark for the year ahead.

You’ll hear from our world-class Jury members as they discuss what made this year’s winners truly special. It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate creativity and gain valuable knowledge from industry experts.

Questions this session will answer:

What are the insights from this year’s body of winning work?
What qualities or elements make certain pieces of work stand out to a Jury and earn them recognition?
What are the takeaways from the work that pushed creative boundaries this year?

Speaker: Phil Camarota, Chief Creative Officer @FLYWHEEL

What happens when an artist stands on one of the world’s biggest stages and admits she’s afraid? In 2025, Sonita did exactly that. Her unscripted plea, “I am alone, and I need your help”, didn’t just move an audience, it moved people to act.

This session traces what followed: a cross-sector collaboration between an artist, a brand and an NGO that turned a moment of raw vulnerability into Donate Your Voice, a global initiative raising awareness and funds for Afghan women. From recording a chorus to launching an open call for voices worldwide, to weaving those contributions into a finished piece of work, the session unpacks the strategic and creative decisions that transformed discomfort into momentum and momentum into measurable impact aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The lesson isn’t about Cannes Lions. It’s about what courage on a stage can unlock in the real world, and why the most powerful creative collaborations often begin in the places we least expect them to.

Questions this session will answer:

Can a single moment at Cannes Lions ignite action that grows far beyond the festival into meaningful, global impact?
What new models for impact emerge when a brand, an artist, and an NGO truly collaborate?
How do you harness collective audience participation to generate outcomes none of them could achieve alone?

Speaker:
Sonita Alizadeh, Artist
Ulrike Decoene, Group Chief Communication, Brand & Sustainability @AXA

History-making stage moments. Exclusive data and insights. Industry-transforming Lion wins. How do you summarise a week at Cannes Lions for your team who missed it?

Return to your office ready to deliver an impressive review of the biggest trends and hottest talking points that emerged at the Festival, from the Palais stages to the results from the Jury rooms. Expect analysis of the biggest winners, actionable learnings from Jury Presidents and early access to insights from the team of writers and industry experts that puts together the eagerly anticipated and much-used Cannes Lions Wrap-Up Report.

It’s everything we learnt at Cannes Lions 2026 – in 90 jam-packed minutes.

Questions this session will answer:

What were the four biggest themes that emerged from Cannes Lions stage talks, and what do they mean?
Who were the biggest winners at this year’s Festival, and why?
What are the learnings we can get from this year’s winning work, according to the people who awarded it?

Speaker:
Natasha Woodwal, Director Content @LIONS
Jenni Middleton, Editor in Chief @LIONS
Paul-Kemp-Robertson, Chief Content Officer @LIONS
David Tiltman, SVP, Chief of Content @LIONS Intelligence
Alex Jenkins, Editorial Director @CONTAGIOUS
Chloe Markowicz, Editor @CONTAGIOUS
Rica Facundo, APAC Managing Editor @WARC

What is it about some pieces of work that makes them stand out to a Jury? What does it take to become a Lion winner?

Join this session to get first-hand insights into why this year’s Jury decided on the work that will set the benchmark for the year ahead.

You’ll hear from our world-class Jury members as they discuss what made this year’s winners truly special. It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate creativity and gain valuable knowledge from industry experts.

Questions this session will answer:

What are the insights from this year’s body of winning work?
What qualities or elements make certain pieces of work stand out to a Jury and earn them recognition?
What are the takeaways from the work that pushed creative boundaries this year?

Speaker: Gugu Mthembu, CMO @Telkom