As the gateway to a gobal celebration of creative excellence, the Cannes Lions Festival sits at the heart of this initiative, providing young South Africans with a direct path to compete on the global creative stage in Cannes, France. The Young Lions competition remains one of the most significant opportunities for emerging talent, giving teams the chance to represent South Africa at the Festival of Creativity and benchmark their abilities against the world's best, says the awards.

"At Heineken Beverages, creativity is not just a craft, it is a growth driver and a cultural force. Cannes Young Lions represents the very best of what young talent can achieve when given a platform to challenge conventions and push boundaries. We are proud to continue investing in South Africa's creative future and enabling the next generation of industry leaders," says Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director at Heineken Beverages.

"Ster-Kinekor has always been passionate about storytelling and the power of ideas to move audiences. The Cannes Young Lions competition is a natural extension of this belief. We are excited once again to support young creatives as they bring fresh perspectives, bold thinking, and new energy to the table, and the industry," adds Lynne Wylie, Chief Marketing Officer at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

With entries now officially open, young creative professionals across South Africa are invited to register in teams of two and prepare for a competition designed to test creative instinct, strategic thinking, and the ability to deliver bold and innovative ideas under pressure, adds the awards.

Participants born on or after 26 June 1995 are eligible to enter. All registered entrants will receive the official 2026 brief on Friday, 13 March, along with details on categories, judging, timelines and entry mechanics, says the awards.

From that point, teams will have limited time to craft work that could take them all the way to Cannes Lions 2026 — the global benchmark of creative excellence.

For more information, visit www.canneslions.com. You can also follow the Cannes Young Lions on Facebook, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor