About
Every June, the world's most powerful creative and cultural minds gather in Cannes, France for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity — five days where brand leaders, storytellers, filmmakers, and industry visionaries converge on the French Riviera to celebrate ideas, forge partnerships, and shape the direction of global culture and media. It is one of the most valuable events in the creative world to be in.
This year, #SHE_BUILDS has partnered with World Connected Platforms (WOCO) — a rewards-based social publishing platform connecting multicultural explorers and creative storytellers with travel brands, cultural experiences, and destination opportunities — alongside Cannes Lions, to award all-access festival passes to women entrepreneurs and creators of African descent whose work reflects the rich, complex, and often untold stories of how we travel, explore, and belong in this world.
Our ideal candidates represent authentic voices who find meaning in exploration and have the perspective and presence to represent this community on a global stage. Through this challenge, selected applicants will receive an all-access pass to Cannes Lions.
🎟️All-Access Festival Pass
📍Cannes, France · June 22–26, 2026
✦Pass only · Travel & stay at your own expense
HOW TO PARTICIPATETwo Phases
Designed to Find the Right Builders & Storytellers
Phase 1: Express Your Interest
Tell us a bit about you and how you would benefit from attending the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
Deadline to apply: April 27th
Phase 2: Demonstrate your creative storytelling
Shortlisted applicants receive a personal invitation to share their photo story on the WOCO platform, that gives us a window into how you see the world and why your voice belongs at Cannes.
Benefits of Attending Cannes Lions Festival
01 / Influential Networks
Direct access to marketing leaders, creative directors, investors, and media executives from across the world, the kind of relationships that move careers and open doors for the communities behind you.
02 / World-Class Programming
Five days of original keynotes, masterclasses, and panel sessions from the most influential voices in creative marketing, brand strategy, technology, and culture.
03 / Brand Activations & Access
Outside the Palais, the week is filled with partner spaces, brand activations, and experiences, a chance to build connections and experience global brands firsthand.
About Cannes Lions
The World's Leading Festival of Creativity
Founded in 1954, Cannes Lions is the global benchmark for creative excellence in advertising, media, entertainment, and brand storytelling. Each June, over 15,000 delegates from 90+ countries gather on the Croisette in Cannes, France. It is where the world's most powerful brands, agencies, filmmakers, and cultural voices convene — to celebrate work, build relationships, and shape what comes next. An all-access pass opens every stage, session, networking event, and awards show across all five days.
About World Connected
A platform for Multicultural Creative Storytellers
World Connected Platforms (WOCO) is a rewards-based social publishing platform built for multicultural explorers and creative storytellers. The platform enables creators from the African diaspora, Caribbean communities, and the broader Global South to share their travel experiences, discover culturally rich destinations, and earn from the perspectives and stories that mainstream travel media has long overlooked.
Through a growing marketplace of brand campaigns, local business partnerships, and destination opportunities, WOCO turns authentic cultural storytelling content into currency.
