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Creative Academy

A certificate programme designed to catapult younger creatives to the next level of their careers

The search is on for the next 30 creatives who'll learn firsthand from the world’s greatest creative minds and industry leaders.

Academy overview

Our classroom is a private learning space exclusively for the Academy. We invite the world's most inspiring talent to sit down and share their brilliance with you. Instructors are briefed to challenge you and expect to be challenged back.

You’ll get intimate sessions with world-renowned CEOs, chief creative officers, artists, actors, directors, journalists and creative superstars. Expect to be propelled by groundbreaking ideas and build a world-class network.

Recent themes of the programme have included:

  • the multi-hyphenated creative
  • the importance of play
  • the art of collaboration
  • how great work sells itself.
View the 2024 programme

Who's it for?

To join our programme, you must:

  • be aged 30 or under (born on or after 20 June 1994)
  • work full time in a creative role and have at least 2 years of full-time experience.

We encourage all creatives to apply, including but not limited to art directors, copywriters, graphic/UX designers, directors, journalists, PR, creative technologists and freelancers.

Please note that the programme is delivered in English. Only apply if you’re confident you’ll be able to participate in all discussions and collaborate with other programme participants.

2024’s Speakers

See the full 2024 agenda

Adam Reeves

Adam Reeves

Chief Creative Officer

TBWA\ Group Canada

David Shing

David Shing

Digital Prophet

Shingy

Eve Rémillard-Larose

Eve Rémillard-Larose

Chief Executive Officer

TBWA\ Group Canada

Fitz Maro

Fitz Maro

Head of North America Design Technology

Amazon

George ‘Benson’ Acohamo

George ‘Benson’ Acohamo

CEO and Chief Creative Officer

BSN Creatives

Helen Tiffany

Helen Tiffany

CEO

The Coach House

Joana Mende

Joana Mende

Creative Lead

Independent

Judy Lee

Judy Lee

Sr Director, Global Brand Experiences

Pinterest

Lucas Heck

Lucas Heck

Creative Lead

Meta

Luis Camano

Luis Camano

Chief Creative Officer

Imper\Active

PG Aditiya

PG Aditiya

Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

Talented.Agency

Ravid Kuperberg

Ravid Kuperberg

Partner and Trainer

Mindscapes

Vita M. Harris

Vita M. Harris

Global Chief Strategy Officer

FCB

Woei Hern Chan

Woei Hern Chan

Head of Creative

VaynerMedia APAC

How do I apply?

To join the 2025 cohort, you’ll need to complete an application that includes:

  • an essay (1000 words max.) answering the following question: What do you think is the most creative brand in the world and why?

  • a video (2 minutes max.), recorded in English, telling us who you are and why you deserve a space in the Academy

  • a character reference (500 words max.) by your employer, your company's talent officer, a senior executive of your company or a previous Creative Academy graduate.

Please ensure you have the funding approved to attend the 2025 Festival before applying.

To complete your application, select the Creative Academy pass and proceed to your Cannes Lions account to fill out the required information.

Please note that spaces are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. We’ll close applications when the class is full or on 31 May 2025, whichever is sooner.

Apply now

How much does it cost?

The fee for successful applicants is €2,825 + Sales Tax @ 20%.

What happens after I apply?

The Academy Dean, together with the LIONS Team, reviews every application carefully to determine the 30 applicants who can attend the programme.

We’ll contact you within 2 weeks of your application being submitted to let you know if you’ve been accepted.

If you’re selected, you’ll then need to confirm and pay for your pass. Please note you must buy your pass within 14 days to guarantee that your place is secured. After 14 days, you can still check out but only if there’s still space available – we won’t be able to hold the seat for you in the event that the class fills up.

Academy passes include full-week (Sunday to Friday) access to the Creative Academy.

If you have any questions about the Academies, please contact academies@canneslions.com.

Academy Dean: Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly is the former CCO at Rothco and Droga5 Dublin. He is Ireland's most awarded creative but hopes nobody fact checks this.

He has won numerous awards at The One Show, Clios, and D&AD as well as picking up a couple of Grand Prix at Cannes Lions. Alan has previously been busy on the judging circuit - judging at Cannes Lions as Jury President as well as D&AD, Eurobest, One Show & Clios before stepping away from agency life last year to look after his two young daughters.

Having been a student of Cannes Lions academies himself a number of years ago, he knows the excitement that’s in-store for this year’s academy and can’t wait to meet this year’s future stars.

I'm so inspired by what an unforgettable experience I had participating in this year’s Cannes Lions Creative Academy! Being part of this programme has been nothing short of transformative. The opportunity to learn, collaborate and innovate was truly invaluable. I'm more motivated than ever to expand my creative toolkit and push the boundaries of what's possible.

Teyra Anderson

Production Planner, Production Strategy

Netflix

The Creative Academy is a once in a lifetime, transformational experience that is more than an academic exchange of ideas but the perfect intersection between creativity, innovation, and business.

Vann Graves

Creative Academy Dean