The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has named France “Country Of The Year,” the annual accolade launched a year ago that recognizes a country’s “exceptional and enduring commitment to creativity.” Brazil was inaugural winner of the prize. 

As part of the recognition, the 2026 Festival (June 22-26) will feature French creative showcases, celebratory events, dedicated stage talks and French-led activations. 

Also, the prize enables French delegates to gift one complimentary Festival pass to a French-based colleague who has never attended. 

Cannes Lions CEO Simon Cook noted that since 2020, the French government has invested nearly $12 billion in funding to creative businesses, and that the country’s  cultural and creative industries generate close to $109 billion in annual revenue.  

“On the global stage at Cannes Lions, France has consistently ranked in the top 10 performing countries, and last year ranked 4th,” noted Cook. 

Cannes, France has been the Festival’s permanent home since 1984.  

This year Creative Country of the Year festival events are being supported by Publicis, Havas, the IAA and Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques and the Association des Agences-Conseil en Communication (AACC), the agency trade group and the official Festival representative in France.