Cannes Lions Names France "Creative Country of the Year 2026"
For the first time in the history of the Cannes Lions, France has been named «Creative Country of the Year 2026.» President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the award in a video message to festival delegates.
France Wins the Cannes Lions Title for the First Time
On Friday evening, June 26, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity named France the «Creative Country of the Year 2026.» Cannes Lions and France—this combination is making history: For the first time in the festival’s more than 70-year history, a country has received this honor. According to the press release, the annual award recognizes a single country for its exceptional and sustained commitment to creativity, which drives progress and growth.
To announce the award, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed festival delegates via video message at the Cannes Lions closing ceremony. «I would like to thank all the members of this great festival, which brings global creativity to life,» Macron said. «This award celebrates our French creativity—and French creativity is our ability to combine formal, regal, and poetic, even irreverent, perspectives.»
Creativity as a National Philosophy and Economic Strategy
Macron described creativity as a «national philosophy» that runs through France’s fashion, luxury, and cultural industries. He highlighted the country’s appeal, noting that France had been voted the most attractive country in Europe for foreign investment for the seventh consecutive year. Among the most recent economic initiatives for the creative sector is the «France 2030» project, which has received 350 million euros in government investment to promote film production. At the «Choose France» summit in early June, foreign companies committed to investments totaling 93 billion euros—particularly for AI and data projects—the report added.
Macron also called on Cannes Lions attendees to get in the spirit for the upcoming Lumière Summit: the international summit on cinema, TV series, and video games, which will take place on September 7 at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and will be co-chaired by France and South Korea.
AACC: Creativity as a Strategic Economic Factor
David Leclabart, President of Australie and Co-President of the AACC, commented on the award: «This award recognizes more than a decade of creative excellence and celebrates France as one of the world’s leading creative nations.» The «French Touch» is a universal language—from luxury and cinema to advertising and design, all the way to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tiphaine du Plessis, President of BETC Fullsix and also Co-President of the AACC, emphasized the economic dimension: «Creativity is one of France’s greatest strategic advantages.» She sees the cultural and creative industries as a driver of growth, sustainability, international influence, and national appeal. «Creativity is the economy. Creativity is change,» said du Plessis. The award belongs to an entire creative ecosystem—agencies, brands, creatives, institutions, and partners—that works together under the banner «France, The Creative Economy.» In light of the changes brought about by AI, she reaffirmed France’s commitment to combining technological innovation with human creativity, strategic thinking, and cultural vision.
The AACC (Association des Agences Conseil et Création) is a professional association founded in 1972 that brings together agency professionals to address the industry's key challenges.
More information: https://www.aacc.fr
