Cannes Lions announces record-breaking award entry numbers up 7% with 43,101 submissions

Cannes Lions has received a record number of submissions this year – reaching 43,101 entries. This is a 7% increase on last year, due in part to the introduction of new categories this year like the Digital Craft and Entertainment Lions for Music.

Overall there’s been growth in 18 of the 24 Lions categories, with standout expansion of the Product Design Lions (up 92% to 538 entries) and notable increases in awards associated with the Festival’s three specialist streams: Lions Entertainment, Lions Innovation and Lions Health.

A big decline in entries was seen in the Cyber Lions and Creative Effectiveness Lions. Entries were also down in the newly renamed Print & Publishing Lions; Radio Lions; Film Lions; Media Lions and Titanium Lions.

The Entertainment Lions (formerly Branded Content & Entertainment) grew by 32% to 1,843, while the new Entertainment Lions for Music attracted 637 entries in their debut year.

The two awards linked to Lions Innovation have also grown. Launched last year, entries into the Creative Data Lions have risen by 16% and there was a leap of 69% in the Innovation Lions, echoing the continuing explosion of data and tech-led creativity.

Says Terry Savage, chairman, Lions Festivals: “We’re seeing evidence that the role of start-ups in the branded communications ecosystem is key, with new businesses and their products not only buoying entries to these two Lions, but driving deep into others as well.”

The Pharma Lions and the Health & Wellness Lions have again grown significantly (+35% and +42% respectively) with a total number of 2,607 entries, a dramatic growth which Louise Benson, Festival Director of Lions Health, attributes to the ethos and impact of the event. “By celebrating life-changing creativity, we’re challenging the norms of a highly regulated industry and accelerating change. Such strong entry numbers are a powerful sign of growing creative confidence.”

Other trends included strong support for craft. The inaugural Digital Craft Lions received 1,150 entries, Film Craft is up by 5% and the craft categories within other Lions have also surged this year.

Says Phillip Thomas, CEO, Lions Festivals: “We are constantly evaluating every Lion, consulting with the industry to form a view on how they should be structured to reflect the creative landscape and remain relevant. It’s important that the Lions remain a barometer for the industry, as well as an enduring creative benchmark. These numbers are also a reminder that there are ebbs and flows, and that it’s always best to take a long-term view. The Outdoor Lions are just one example of that – a drop last year of 11% prompted commentary about a decline in the sector, but this year we’ve seen a determined bounce-back, with entries rising by 7%.”

387 judges across all juries began their assessment of the work on Tuesday 14 June. The first results will be revealed on Day 1 of the 63rd International Festival of Creativity, Saturday 18 June at the Lions Health Awards Ceremony. For more information, visit www.canneslions.com.