YOUR JOURNEY TO CANNES STARTS HERE

Cannes Lions is a global stage for storytelling, creativity, and influence—a rare moment where the world's most innovative minds converge to shape the future of the industry. In 250 words or less, explain what attending Cannes will do for your career and creative trajectory at this point in your journey.

How will this experience accelerate your growth as a leader? What doors do you hope it will open, what perspectives do you hope to gain, and what relationships will you build that simply aren't possible elsewhere? Additionally, how does this moment align with your personal and professional mission to center inclusion in your field, and what will you do with the platform, knowledge, and community you gain?

CC:DC ambassadors are cultural connectors who shift narratives in real time—whether that's through conversations, curation, visibility, or strategic presence. Cannes is a unique stage where influence happens both formally (panels, activations) and informally (hallway conversations, social platforms, one-on-one connections).

In 250 words or less, describe your strategy for maximizing impact while at Cannes. Consider: How will you use your authentic voice, existing networks, and creative skills to build meaningful connections, highlight diverse perspectives, and advance the CC:DC mission? (Think: Who will you connect with? What conversations will you start or amplify? How might you show up—whether through social storytelling, direct outreach, community building, or other approaches?)

The CC:DC experience doesn't end at the festival—it's the beginning of a lifelong ripple effect. In 250 words or less, explain how you plan to continue the work after returning home.

Specifically: What's your give-back strategy? How will you translate your experience, insights, and relationships into concrete action—both within CC:DC and/or in your community, industry, or creative network? Consider how you might leverage your CC:DC network, your existing class or professional community, or your unique platform to advance inclusion at the highest levels of creative leadership. What does sustained impact look like for you, and how will you contribute to strengthening both the movement and the organization creating this opportunity?

Every leader has a story that shapes their "why"—and that story doesn't look the same for everyone. Reflecting on your journey—academic, professional, personal, or community-based—what defining moments or accomplishments have most influenced your growth as a leader?

These could be traditional career milestones, but they might also be: a project that changed how you see the world, a conversation that shifted your perspective, a time you stood up for something you believed in, or a failure that taught you something crucial about yourself or others.

How have these experiences equipped you to drive impact, foster inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to your respective industry and beyond? (250 words max)