Oprah Winfrey to receive Cannes Lions LionHeart Award

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has unveiled its 2026 programme, bringing together global creative leaders and changemakers for five days of discussions, workshops and networking in June.

The Festival will also honour Oprah Winfrey as the 2026 Cannes LionHeart recipient, recognising her long-term contribution to social impact through media and philanthropy. Oprah Winfrey will deliver a talk at the Lumière Theatre on 23 June before receiving the award during the evening ceremony.

Shaping creativity across industries

Oprah Winfrey has built a global presence across television, publishing and philanthropy, using her platforms to amplify underrepresented voices and connect audiences worldwide.

Philip Thomas, Chair, LIONS: "Oprah Winfrey's influence extends far beyond media. She has consistently used her platform to elevate others, challenge perspectives and inspire change. Her sustained commitment to using influence responsibly has helped create opportunities for others while broadening understanding on a global scale – embodying the true spirit of the LionHeart Award."

The 2026 programme introduces a mix of content streams designed to reflect how the creative industries operate today, including the addition of Cannes Lions Deconstructed.

Programme expands formats and participation

Natasha Woodwal, Director of Content, LIONS: "The 2026 programme has been designed to reflect how our industry really works today. We've expanded the breadth of formats to encourage deeper participation, from debates and roundtables to interactive workshops and networking opportunities. With the launch of LIONS Sport and the continued growth of LIONS Creators, we're creating space for new voices, new communities and new conversations that are shaping the future of creativity."

Six core content streams

The Festival programme spans six main streams covering insights, innovation, talent and impact. The Insights & Trends stream, developed with Contagious, will examine cultural and strategic shifts, while Innovation Unwrapped focuses on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and its role in creativity.

The Creativity Toolbox centres on creative processes and techniques, and Talent & Culture explores leadership and organisational development. Creative Impact, co-curated with WARC, highlights measurable business outcomes, while Cannes Lions Deconstructed will analyse key themes and results from the Festival.

Focus on sport, creators and B2B

Alongside the main streams, the Festival expands its specialist programming. LIONS Sport launches in partnership with SPORT BEACH, exploring developments in sports marketing, while LIONS Creators, in collaboration with Adobe, focuses on content creation and creator-led ecosystems.

LIONS B2B, developed with LinkedIn, will examine how business marketing leaders connect creativity with growth strategies at an organisational level.

The Festival will take place from 22 to 26 June in Cannes, featuring more than 150 hours of content and around 500 speakers. Additional speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.

www.canneslions.com

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