Japan is setting the pace for Asia in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026 Film Craft Lions shortlist, with work from Dentsu, Hakuhodo Gravity, Kodansha, and Yamaha Corporation advancing across multiple craft disciplines.
Asia secured 13 shortlist appearances among the 147 works recognized in the competitive category, including multiple nods for Saudi Arabia’s “The Ring: The Legacy Continues,” one of the most-recognized Asian campaigns on the shortlist.
Japan accounted for five of Asia’s 13 shortlist appearances, driven by recognition in Animation, Sound Design, and Achievement in Production. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s “The Ring: The Legacy Continues” emerged as the region’s standout performer after being shortlisted in the Achievement in Production and Animation categories.
Direction
- “M Ssing Piece” by Publicis Thailand and Bananas Johannesburg for KFC Thailand (Thailand)
Script
- “Don’t Look Up” by TBWA\Lintas, Mumbai for Nissan (India)
Casting
- “Renu vs The City” by Ogilvy Mumbai for Cadbury 5 Star (India)
- “The Kaprao Criminals” by Wolf BKK for Lotus’s (Thailand)
Use of License/Adapted Music
- “Jeere Mein Heera” by Talented Bangalore for Pushp Masale (India)
Achievement in Production
- “GIST | Take Back What Matters – So We Don’t Melt Away” by Dentsu Tokyo for GIST (Japan)
- “The Ring: The Legacy Continues” by BigTime Creative Shop Riyadh for Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia)
Sound Design
- “Spicy Hurts Real Good with Sprite” by Ogilvy Singapore for Sprite (Singapore)
- “You Are The Instrument” by Yamaha Corporation Hamamatsu for Yamaha (Japan)
- “Weight of Pain” by Serviceplan Middle East Dubai for Child Rescue Coalition (United Arab Emirates)
Animation
- “Craftman.Ships” by Hakuhodo Gravity/Hakuhodo Cabin for SHIPS (Japan)
- “Light Hole” by Kodansha Tokyo for Kodansha (Japan)
- “The Ring: The Legacy Continues” by BigTime Creative Shop Riyadh for Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia)
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place from June 22 to 26 in Cannes, France. View the complete Film Craft Lions shortlist here.
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