Cannes Lions Unveils 2026 Awarding Juries, Names Nigeria’s Ehimuan & Odugbemi For Innovation & Film Categories
The organisers of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have unveiled the 2026 Awarding Jury line-up, with Nigerian leaders Juliet Ehimuan and Femi Odugbemi earning prominent spots in the Innovation and Film categories, respectively.
The festival, scheduled to be held from 22–26 June in Cannes, France, brings together a global panel of creative leaders tasked with setting the benchmark for excellence across industries. This year’s announcement underscores a growing recognition of African expertise on the world stage, with Ehimuan and Odugbemi joining a diverse cohort of jurors shaping the future of global creativity.
Juliet Ehimuan, Founder and CEO of Beyond Limits Global, has been selected as a juror in the Innovation category. Known for her leadership in technology and digital transformation across Africa, her inclusion reflects the increasing importance of innovation-driven creativity in today’s global landscape.
In the Film category, Femi Odugbemi, Founder and CEO of Zuri24 Media Limited and an acclaimed filmmaker, will lend his expertise to one of the festival’s most prestigious segments. Odugbemi’s career spans decades of storytelling and industry leadership, positioning him as a strong voice in evaluating cinematic excellence.
Their selection highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in both creative technology and film, reinforcing the country’s position as a key contributor to global cultural and creative industries.
According to organisers, the 2026 jury reflects a broader and more inclusive mix of voices shaping the creative economy. The line-up features experts from independent agencies, global brands, and emerging markets across Africa, the Pacific, MENA, and Latin America.
Notably, the jury welcomes first-time representation from countries such as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, while also marking the debut of global insurance brand AXA following its strong performance at the 2025 festival, where it secured 13 Lions.
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, emphasised the significance of the jury’s role in defining creative standards worldwide.
“The impact of the Cannes Lions Jury can’t be underestimated. Their time and expertise in recognising groundbreaking work sets the global creative benchmark for the year ahead and provides a view of the future shape of creativity,” Cook said.
Marian Brannelly, Global Director of Awards at LIONS, noted that the evolving composition of the jury reflects broader shifts within the industry.
“The composition of this year’s Juries speaks to how creativity is evolving – it’s becoming more interconnected, more diverse, and more influential across every part of business,” she said.
“With more markets than ever represented and a growing number of leaders from independent agencies and brands, this year’s line-up will ensure that the work is judged through a truly global and contemporary lens.”
The Cannes Lions Festival remains one of the most influential platforms in global advertising, media, and creative communications. Jurors are selected not only for their professional achievements but also for their ability to identify transformative ideas that drive business, shape culture, and inspire change.
For Nigeria, the appointments of Ehimuan and Odugbemi signal continued momentum in gaining international recognition for its creative and innovation ecosystems. Their presence at Cannes is expected to amplify African perspectives in conversations that define the future of global creativity.
As the industry converges in Cannes this June, all eyes will be on how this year’s jury, now more diverse than ever, interprets and rewards the ideas shaping the world.