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Awards
Young Lions Competition
Open to advertising professionals under 30. Winners represent New Zealand at Cannes Lions.
Aotearoa Young Lions is the ultimate creative challenge
Young Lions is open to teams of two from across the New Zealand advertising industry. Two categories in 2026: film and media strategy. Winners announced at AXIS Speaks in March.
The prize: a fully funded trip to Cannes in June to compete in the global Young Lions competition and attend the Cannes Lions Festival. Entry costs $300 per team.
Categories
Unleash your creativity in one of the two unique categories for 2026.
Choose the category that best matches your skills. Each team can only enter one.
Film: Respond to the brief with a 60-second film. The idea matters more than production quality.
Media: Respond to the brief with a media strategy. A clear idea at the centre, with evidence of audience thinking and channel reasoning.
Film category
The Film Category challenges participants to craft a 60 second film that solves the brief. The idea is more important than the craft, so don't worry if your cinematography isn't perfect.
Participants will have limited time to conceptualise, produce and deliver their film based on the brief provided. The winning entry will be judged on the strength of the idea, response to the brief, and ability for the judges to visualise the final product.
Deliverables
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A 60 Second Film
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The written explanation (300 words)
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A short synopsis of the film
Media category
The Media Category challenges participants to create a standout media strategy with a creative media idea at its heart.
Participants will be tasked with developing a media strategy, a clear idea that drives the media choices, and convincing evidence that the plan will reach the right audience, at the right time, in the most impactful way.
Deliverables
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10 slide Powerpoint
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The written explanation (450 words)
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Describe the idea/insights, research, and data gathering (150 words)
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Describe the strategy (150 words)
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Describe the execution (150 words)
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A presentation board summarising the idea
How it works
competition is closed
18/02/2026 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Google - Auckland
Join us at Google Auckland to learn about this year's brief. Teams not based in Tāmaki Makaurau can join the session remotely.
Entries now closed
21/02/2026 10:00 AM
Submit your entry before the deadline.
11/03/2026 12:00 PM
Online
Finalists will be invited to the next phase of the competition: in-person presentations.
17/03/2026 - 18/03/2026
Finalists get the chance to present their idea to the judges; it's your final chance to stand-out before the winners are determined.
26/03/2026 08:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Winners are announced at AXIS Speaks 2026.
Finalists get tickets on us.
Eligibility criteria
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The Young Lions competition is open to teams of 2 advertising professionals.
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Both participants must be aged 30 or under, born on or after June 26 1995.
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Teams (or individuals within a team) may only enter one category.
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Past winners may enter again if they meet the above criteria.
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Entrants must be New Zealand citizens or hold a valid New Zealand work permit.
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Entrants must be available to travel in June 2026 and hold valid passports at the time of entry.
Film eligibility
To be eligible to compete in the film category the team must be made up of two young professionals who are either:
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Working in creative communications/advertising/digital agencies
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Freelancers working in the communications/advertising space
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In-house creative teams from brands
Media eligibility
To be eligible to compete in the film category the team must be made up of two young professionals who are either:
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Working in media agencies
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Working as in-house media specialists within a brand
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Freelance media specialists
Rules of entry
By submitting an entry, the entrant agrees to be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions.
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