Festival organizers plan for a physical return of the Cannes Lions event in June 2022.
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Returns with Hybrid Format in 2022
After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the renowned Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is set to make a comeback in 2022. The event, which is owned by Ascential, will take place in France from June 20-24, 2022.
In a significant milestone, the festival will return to an in-person format, marking a return to normalcy after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. However, the organisers have announced that the festival will adopt a hybrid model, catering to both physical and virtual attendees.
The hybrid format was first introduced in 2022 to accommodate the ongoing pandemic and ensure the safety of all participants. This approach will allow those who may still be unable to travel to participate in the festival virtually.
While the exact details about the format for the virtual festival in 2020 and 2021 are not extensively detailed, it is widely known that many large events, including Cannes Lions, moved to an online or virtual format during the pandemic for health and safety reasons.
During the virtual festivals, the festival adapted by running online activities and virtual judging processes instead of the usual in-person event. Agencies like Ogilvy won multiple Lions Awards during the virtual festival in 2021, showing that the awards and competition maintained their international prestige despite being held online.
The awards process likely involved digital case study submissions and remote judging, as was common during the pandemic. By 2025, Cannes Lions had resumed in-person events with expanded AI-focused categories, showing evolution from the pandemic's virtual format.
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a significant advertising event, attracting thousands of professionals from around the world each year. The festival celebrates creativity in advertising and communications, recognising the best work in the industry through the coveted Lions Awards.
With the return of the festival to an in-person format in 2022, the advertising industry is eagerly awaiting the event, which promises to be a celebration of creativity, innovation, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Engaging in the festival's hybrid format in 2022 presents a unique opportunity for attendees, as they can now experience the creativity and innovation showcased at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, whether attending in person or virtually. This risk-taking approach by the organizers ensures that the festival remains accessible and relevant in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
