Cannes Lions 2010 now open for entries

Entrant companies can now submit work to compete at the 57th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in all categories – Film, Press, Outdoor, Direct, Media, Cyber, Radio, PR, Promo and Activation, Design, Titanium, Integrated and the newly introduced Film Craft Lions category.

Entry forms can be completed online at www.canneslions.com from today. Prices for all entry categories, as well as for all delegate registration packages, have been frozen and will remain at the level of 2009 prices, as reported earlier.

Here are the deadlines for the respective categories:

Film, Film Craft, Outdoor and Press Lions Entries: 5 March 2010
Design, Direct, Media, PR, Promo and Activation and Radio Lions Entries: 12 March 2010
Cyber, Titanium and Integrated Lions Entries: 19 March 2010

The newly introduced Film Craft Lions category will look at honouring the quality of craft as demonstrated in the filmmaking process, such as the quality of the direction, copywriting, cinematography or editing, as well as the skilful use of music, sound design or animation. A dedicated jury will consider the level of the emotional bond with the work and whether the craft of the work adds something to the idea and pushes the execution.

Another addition is the new Independent Agency of the Year. This new award honours the independent agency that has amassed the most points across all the entry sections at the festival. An independent agency is defined as one that is not majority owned by one of the major global holding companies. Those networks are: Aegis, Dentsu, Havas, Interpublic, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe and WPP.

There is also the Grand Prix charity for Good award, which will reward entries ineligible to win a Grand Prix in their sections because they are made for charities and public services. Each of the Gold winners in these categories across all entry sections will be judged by the Titanium and Integrated Jury, who will choose one piece to receive the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Good, to be awarded during the awards ceremony on Saturday 26 June.

The Promo Lions have been renamed the Promo and Activation Lions. A statement from the Cannes organisers says that the change is in order to address the fact that "for many people, the word promotion evokes the tactics of the past, even though the Cannes Lions definition of sales promotion has always been “activity designed to create immediate activation and/or offer for the sales of a product or service”. The statement adds that the discipline’s defining feature remains its focus on inspiring people to engage and participate – to do something.

From this year, the jury will reward the quality of craft as demonstrated in the design or technical execution of websites or online content, such as the quality of the graphic design, photography, illustration, copywriting or animation, the skilful use of music or sound design.

The jury will reward the quality of craft as demonstrated in the technical execution of Press ads, for example the quality of the imagery, photography, illustration, copywriting or editing.

Also from this year the jury will reward the quality of craft as demonstrated in either the production process, or the technical execution of Radio ads including the quality of the scriptwriting or acting performance, the skillful use of music or sound design, or the best use of Radio as a medium.

The jury will reward innovative design and creation of containers to promote and display the contents and will consider how the brand identity is enhanced by the shape, feel and functionality of the container. These categories are likely to include containers of liquids, gels and creams, among others.

For further information about the entry changes, how to submit work and to register to attend the Festival, please click here.