International
India’s Cannes Lions tally rises to 17 with nine more shortlists
Film Craft leads with three entries as Ogilvy and VML add to India’s haul
MUMBAI: India’s creative engines are revving louder on the French Riviera, with the country’s Cannes Lions campaign picking up fresh momentum ahead of the festival’s main awards announcements. India added nine new shortlists across the Film Craft, Design, Direct and Media Lions categories at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, taking its overall tally to 17 shortlists so far.
The latest round saw Film Craft emerge as India’s strongest category, contributing three shortlisted entries and reinforcing the country’s growing reputation for storytelling that blends craft with cultural relevance.
Leading the charge was TBWA\Lintas Mumbai, which earned a shortlist in the Script category for Don’t Look Up, created for Steadfast. Ogilvy Mumbai’s Renu Vs The City for St. Jude India ChildCare Centres secured recognition in Casting, while Jeere Mein Heera for Coca-Cola, created by ZigZag Films Mumbai and TALENTED.AGENCY Bengaluru, was shortlisted in the Use of Licensed/Adapted Music category.
The Design Lions category delivered two more bright spots for India. 22Feet Mumbai, in collaboration with Butterfly Cannon London, earned a shortlist for The Art of Survival for Godawan in Packaging Design. Meanwhile, VML India’s The Slooowest Vending Machine in the World for KitKat found a place in Brand Environment and Experience Design.
India’s momentum continued in the Direct Lions, where VML India’s The Kolhapuri for Kalapuri was shortlisted under Cultural Engagement, while 82.5 Mumbai’s Blinkstop secured recognition in Experience Design.
The Media Lions category added two more entries to the country’s growing tally. Mindshare India Mumbai’s Vim Ka Mahakadhai Record for Vim was shortlisted in Single-Market Campaign, while Ogilvy Mumbai’s Box to Beds for Amazon earned a spot in the Social Behaviour category.
Agency-wise, Ogilvy India and VML India emerged as the strongest performers in this round, securing two shortlists each. Other agencies adding to India’s Cannes presence included 22Feet Mumbai, TBWA\Lintas, ZigZag Films, TALENTED.AGENCY, 82.5 Mumbai and Mindshare India.
Not every category delivered silver linings. India missed out on shortlist mentions in Digital Craft, Industry Craft, PR, Social & Creator, Entertainment, Entertainment Lions for Gaming, Entertainment Lions for Music and Entertainment Lions for Sport in the latest announcements.
The fresh additions build on India’s earlier eight shortlists across Health & Wellness, Audio & Radio, Creative Brand, Print & Publishing and Pharma, taking the country’s cumulative tally to 17 shortlists before the festival officially gets underway in Cannes from 22 to 26 June.
With more categories yet to be announced, India’s creative fraternity will be hoping these shortlist sparks turn into a stronger medal haul in the days ahead.
