Cannes Lions bans Russian entries and delegates from 2022 festival
Festival Cannes Lions has cut Russia off from its global award scheme following its President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighboring country Ukraine, meaning 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, Ascential and LIONS will make a significant donation to humanitarian charities working in the affected region. In addition, while we recognise that this is only a small gesture, we will welcome free of charge any and all Ukraine creatives who are able to attend Cannes Lions. Refunds on awards submissions for Ukraine agencies will also be honoured. A talent directory for affected members of the creative community has been established on the LIONS platform, we encourage the global community to commission and support our friends during these troubled times. Affected members of our community can create a profile here. Our thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine and other affected members of the community at this extremely difficult time.”
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.
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