Aged 30 or under and ready to prove your creative mettle? The Young Lions Competition is the ultimate challenge for emerging talent across the communications industry. Renowned as the most prestigious opportunity of its kind, it’s your chance to showcase your skills, gain global recognition, and take your career to the next level on the world’s biggest creative stage.
OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM PAGE
Young Lions Australia Competition
WIN IN AUSTRALIA TO GET TO THE GLOBAL STAGE
We’re on the hunt for the brightest minds in Australia’s advertising, media and marketing industries. Think you have what it takes to compete on the world stage? The Australian Young Lions Competition is your chance to prove your talent, flex your skills, and earn a spot at the prestigious Global Young Lions Competition—the ultimate arena for creative excellence—held as part of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
The winners from Australia will jet off to the stunning French Riviera to represent the nation in Cannes from June 16-20, 2025. Prizes include a full week’s festival pass, flights, transfers, and boutique accommodation in the heart of Cannes and within walking distance of the Palais.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your creativity on a global scale!
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
To mark the competition’s milestone 30th year, ACA has introduced new enhancements to give entrants the best chance of winning gold in Cannes:
- A condensed competition timeframe: The local competition will now mirror the intensity of Cannes Young Lions in France, with a compressed four-day format to better prepare participants for the infamous 24-hour creative sprint (see ‘Key Dates’ below)
- Unprecedented industry support from industry bodies the AANA, MFA, IAB Australia & ACA
- Mentoring from past winners and industry experts
- Accommodation in the heart of Cannes
Read more about these changes here.
ELIGIBILITY
- a team of two professionals
- born on or after 20 June 1994 (we previously had 1995 incorrectly listed)
- a current employee within the advertising, media or marketing industry (certain categories welcome freelancers, please see categories and criteria below)
- an Australian resident or have a valid Australian work permit
- available to participate in the Global Young Lions Competition during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from June 16 – 20 2025 in France.
See ‘2025 Categories’ & downloadable entry forms below for more information.
KEY DATES
9:00 – 2 December 2024
Early bird entries open
Midnight – 24 December 2024
Early bird entries close
Midnight – 11 March 2025
Registrations close
19 March 2025
Competition brief will be emailed to all registered teams
20 March 2025
Webinar with charity & judges
23 March 2025
Entries due
26 March – 1 April 2025
Online judging
4 April 2025
Finalists announced
11 April 2025
Live presentations and winners announced (Sydney)
16–20 June 2025
Winners will take part in the Global Young Lions Competition
early bird registration
- Read and agreed to the 2025 Official Young Lions Terms & Conditions
- Completed and submitted a registration form (one form per team of two)
- Paid the non-refundable registration fee (prices vary based on when you register)
What are you waiting for? Take a look at the categories and register below!
2025 Categories & entry information
When you download the entry information for your selected category (below), it will be sent to the email address you provide. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder in case the email lands there.
MEDIA
Develop an innovative media strategy based on compelling insights, showing how you’ll use different media channels and encourage engagement in response to the brief.
MARKETING
DIGITAL
Build a digital-led campaign that uses the powers of digital technology to respond to the challenge in the brief.
FILM
PR
Construct an effective and engaging PR campaign in response to a communications challenge described in the brief.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions, please email us at canneslions@adcouncil.org.au
Prepare well and may the best Young Lions win!
AUSTRALIAN YOUNG LIONS COMPETITION PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
