Cannes Lions Bans Russian Delegates and Entries for 2022

Advertising awards festival Cannes Lions has cut Russia off from its global award scheme following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Agencies and brands from the country will no longer be eligible for a trophy in 2022. Russian delegates will also be banned from attending the festival.“We stand together with our friends in Ukraine—and our many partners and community members in Russia who strongly oppose the actions of the Russian Government,” Lions organizers said in a statement. “Despite our desire to celebrate creativity from wherever it comes, we have made the decision not to accept submissions or delegations from Russian organizations into Cannes Lions or its associated awards programmes.”As an immediate action, parent company Ascential and Lions will make a “significant donation” to humanitarian charities working in the affected region.Ukrainian entrants will also be refunded the fees for any categories they’ve entered this year.In addition, the event will be free of charge for “any and all” Ukraine-based creatives who are able to attend in June. Commissioning Ukrainian creatives In addition to its own sanctions on Russian entries, Lions has established a digital talent directory for creatives affected by war. It’s asking the international marketing community to commission and support these individuals. Ukrainians who want to showcase their work can sign up here. Cannes Lions’ decision comes as it gears up for its first in-person awards show and festival since 2019. Physical plans were shelved in 2020 and 2021 owing to Covid-19 concerns.Fellow global awards show D&AD announced earlier this week that it would continue to accept Russian entries to its 2022 competition. However, it said all fees from these submissions would be donated to the Art Directors Club of Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine has sparked a global backlash against Russia and ally Belarus, with penalties including sweeping economic sanctions, ejection from most international sporting events, air travel restrictions and severed ties with a wide range of corporations. Brands are also pledging cash and action to help the country. Among them is Ikea, which closed all operations in Russia and donated $22 million for humanitarian assistance, and Netflix, which pulled the plug on state broadcasts from the Kremlin. Crisis in Ukraine: How Brands Are Stepping Up to Help

Cannes Lions

Cannes Lions Bans Russian Delegates and Entries from 2022 Awards

Agencies and brands from the country will not be welcome at the event following the invasion of Ukraine

Rebecca Stewart

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Rebecca Stewart