Your Journey to Cannes Starts Here
Cannes, France
Apply to become a 2026 CC:DC Ambassador + Scholar and join a global movement reshaping the creative industry.
Applications
Open Now
Are you ready to join us at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2025 in Cannes, France, as a Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC) Ambassador? If so, the cohort 2025 application is live!
The Cannes Can: Diversity Collective has 5 steps you must complete.
Create a Personal Brand Video
Decide on an Application Track
Confirm Your Passport is Valid
Submit Your Application
While the application is simple – it’s not easy. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity brings in some of the top creative, marketing, communications and advertising professionals globally. So, take your time, read through each section and get it done on time.
Applications close on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. New York Eastern Standard Time.
The Gradient and CC:DC teams are here to help guide you through the application process. We will have three sessions you can attend to assist with your application. You can also contact our teams for any questions.
Join us for a virtual info session
December
General Ambassador Track
& FAQs
January Session II
General Academy Track
& FAQs
February Session III
General Ambassador Track
& FAQs
February Session IV
HBCU+ & General Track
Step 1:
YOUR BRAND VIDEO
Step 1: Create Your Personal Brand Video
You will need to create a personal video that tells us the story of you.
The MOST IMPORTANT BRAND you will ever promote is you. Create a personal campaign that sells YOU to The Gradient and CC:DC teams. Title it “CC:DC 2025 Application - Your Full Name” (e.g., CC:DC 2025 - Milk Rodriguez), then provide a link in the provided field in the application.
Other rules to note:
You must be visually included in the video.
The video should be a maximum of 2 minutes.
Be creative and play to your strengths.
Winning Examples:
Step 2:
APPLICATION TRACK
Step 2: Choose An Application Track
Choose an application track based on where your career is.
There are five application tracks to choose from. Two of these are academies and 3 are ambassadorships: the Young LIONS Creative Academy, Young LIONS Brand Marketers Academy, HBCU+ Student Ambassador, and the CC:DC Ambassador (which has been split into two experience levels ).
Pro Tip: Each track provides benefits catered to different areas of the advertising, communications and creative industries. When deciding on a track to apply to, pay extra attention to how well it aligns with your portfolio, brand video, and where you are professionally.
NOTE: If you opt for the academy track, there may be additional requirements to ensure your application meets all Young Lions submission requirements. Please visit LIONS Academies to learn more.
Decide on a track first, then update your portfolio and create your brand video accordingly.
Step 3:
VALID PASSPORT
Step 3: Make Sure You Have A Valid Passport
Make sure your passport and travel documents are in working order.
This will either be the quickest or longest step. If you have an active passport valid through February 2026 – that's perfect. If you don’t – get on it. Passport applications and fees vary from country to country and can take months to receive (if you want to avoid those rush fees).
NOTE: Travel to Europe will also require a visa in 2025, so please ensure you stay updated on the process and follow guidelines. Most applicants will be granted travel authorization within an hour, but if further checks are required, the process could take up to 96 hours. The application costs €7 ( about $8) and is required for all travelers regardless of age.
WARNING: You will be asked to verify your passport if you are invited to participate in the program. You will be disqualified if your passport is not active when invited or will expire before February 2026. You will also be disqualified if you fail to provide proper documentation of your passport status.
Step 4:
SUBMIT APPLICATION
Step 4: Officially Submit Your CC:DC 2025 Application
You’ve done the leg work. Now it’s time to formally submit your application.
You will be unable to submit your application without completing all the steps listed above. So, take your time, review, and answer the questions needed to complete your application. Please remember that applications not submitted prior to the March 7, 2025 deadline will not be eligible for consideration.
Pro Tip: Remember, give yourself enough time to complete all the application steps. Focus on each one separately, giving yourself enough time in between each step to build from the previous one. The best applications use each step to give us a more complete picture of their brand.
Subscribe
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.