Cannes Lions 2025: Celebrating Creativity in Entertainment and Craft

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has officially announced the winners of its Entertainment and Craft Tracks, showcasing a diverse array of innovative works from around the globe. The second awards evening, held on June 17, 2025, highlighted key contributions from Australia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United States across various categories including Entertainment Lions for Gaming, Music, Sport, and more.

Each year, the Cannes Lions serves as a platform for recognizing exceptional creativity in advertising and communications. This year's festival saw a notable participation with 735 entries in the Entertainment Lions category alone, resulting in 22 awards distributed among the best works. Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, emphasized the significance of the winning entries, stating, "This body of winning work represents the pinnacle of creative entertainment and artistic craft that resonate with and provide meaningful connections with today’s consumers."

Among the prestigious awards, the Grand Prix for the Entertainment Lions was awarded to 'Night Fishing' for Hyundai Motor Company, created by INNOCEAN Seoul. The short film, filmed using seven car cameras, presents a unique narrative that engages the ad-skeptical MZ generation (millennials and Gen Z) while promoting Hyundai's flagship electric vehicle, IONIQ. Jury President David Rolfe, Global Head of Production at WPP/Hogarth, expressed admiration for the film's humanistic narrative and its innovative approach, noting, "‘Night Fishing’ is a somehow deeply humanistic, riveting and even bizarre action sci-fi piece, in the form of the highest order of branded entertainment."

South Korea marked a historic achievement by securing its first-ever Entertainment Lion, showcasing the festival's growing global reach. In the Entertainment Lions for Gaming category, 'Call of Discounts' for Mercado Livre by GUT, São Paulo, won the Grand Prix. This entry transformed a globally streamed gaming session into an interactive marketplace, appealing to Gen Z audiences with a strategic partnership featuring football legend Neymar Jr. Sue Anderson, VP Creative at Roblox and the Jury President, praised the entry for its cultural relevance and innovative execution.

The Entertainment Lions for Music saw 469 entries, with the Grand Prix awarded to 'Tracking Bad Bunny' by DDB Latina, Puerto Rico, for Rimas Music. This campaign elevated the album release of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, transforming it into a landmark event that not only redefined fan interaction but also carried a powerful message of cultural pride. Jury President Seiya Matsumiya, CEO and Co-Founder of Black Cat White Cat Music, highlighted the originality and cultural impact of the work.

In the Entertainment Lions for Sport category, the Grand Prix was awarded to 'Haaland Payback Time' for Clash of Clans by DAVID New York, which featured football star Erling Haaland as the first-ever playable character in the mobile game. This campaign was noted for its ability to engage fans and create significant download numbers, demonstrating the intersection of gaming and celebrity.

The Design Lions, a category that saw growth in participation, awarded the Grand Prix to 'Caption with Intention' for Closed Captioning by FCB Chicago. This innovative project transformed traditional captions into a dynamic design language that enhances accessibility in filmmaking. Jury President Jessica Walsh praised the work for its emotional depth and commitment to inclusivity, stating, "This Grand Prix winner excelled as it masterfully married strong design with a greater idea and purpose."

The festival also recognized excellence in the Digital Craft Lions, where 'Caption with Intention' again took home the Grand Prix. This dual recognition reflects a growing trend towards integrating design with functional accessibility.

As the Cannes Lions Festival continues to evolve, the winners exemplify the creativity and innovation that drives the industry. The awards will be celebrated nightly from June 16 to 20, 2025, with all winners and shortlists available for viewing at The Work. For further details about the Cannes Lions, please visit canneslions.com.