MAM
India bags eight early Cannes Lions 2026 shortlists across seven categories
Health & Wellness leads the charge as Indian agencies secure early recognition
MUMBAI: India has secured eight shortlists across seven categories in the first round of announcements at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, with purpose-led and culturally rooted campaigns driving the country’s early performance.
While the tally is more modest than the 22 shortlists India had amassed at the same stage in 2025 across these categories, the shortlisted work reflects the industry’s continued focus on social impact, health awareness, and brand storytelling.
The standout category for India this year is Health & Wellness, which accounted for half of the country’s early shortlist count with four entries.
Among them is Indianis Dentris for Colgate, created by The Refinery Mumbai and Brand David Communications, which earned recognition in Brand-led Education and Awareness. Also shortlisted is Project Golden Minute for Kenvue’s Johnson’s Baby brand, developed by McCann India, in Direct for Brand-led Education and Awareness.
Two campaigns from Ogilvy India strengthened India’s Health & Wellness showing. Renu vs The City for St. Jude India ChildCare Centres received a shortlist in Non-profit Health Education, Advocacy & Fundraising, while Ek Tara Project for Titan Eye+ was recognised in Health Services and Facilities.
Outside Health & Wellness, India picked up a shortlist in Audio & Radio with The Unofficial Sound of F1 for Sting, created by Leo India and shortlisted in the Challenger Brand category.
In Creative Brand, a newly introduced category for 2026, From a Sanitary Pad to a Basic Right for Whisper, developed by P&G Whisper, earned a shortlist in Brand Positioning.
India’s sole Print & Publishing shortlist came through The Kohlapuri for Kalapuri, created by VML India and recognised in Publications for Good.
Meanwhile, Sawaal Uthao for Tata 1mg, developed by Humour Me, secured India’s only Pharma shortlist in the Integrated – Disease Awareness & Understanding category.
Notably, India failed to secure any shortlists in the Outdoor and Creative B2B categories during this round. The absence is particularly significant given that Outdoor was one of India’s strongest categories in 2025, contributing 13 shortlists to the country’s early tally.
On the agency leaderboard, Ogilvy India leads the tally with two shortlists. Leo India, McCann India, VML India, Humour Me, P&G, Brand David, and The Refinery follow with one apiece (with Brand David and The Refinery sharing joint credit on the Colgate entry).
The early results come after India drew a blank in the highly competitive Titanium, Glass, and Innovation categories earlier in the festival, placing added focus on the remaining shortlist announcements.
With major categories such as Film, Direct, PR, Social & Creator, and Brand Experience yet to reveal their full shortlists, the industry’s hopes remain firmly alive. If recent years are any indication, India’s strongest performances often emerge from emotionally resonant, culturally nuanced storytelling, leaving ample room for the country’s agencies to build on this opening tally and chase Lions in the days ahead.
