India has secured five shortlists across the six categories unveiled today at Cannes Lions 2026—Creative Business Transformation, Creative Commerce, Luxury, Creative Effectiveness, Creative Strategy and film.
The country’s shortlisted entries came from Creative Commerce, Creative Strategy and Film, while India failed to make the cut in Creative Business Transformation, Luxury and Creative Effectiveness.
With today’s announcement, India’s overall shortlist tally stands at 23 across the 30 categories revealed so far.
Creative Commerce: 1 Shortlist
India’s sole shortlisted entry in Creative Commerce is the Gamers on Duty campaign for Lenovo by Leo India, Mumbai. The campaign has been shortlisted in the Entertainment Commerce category.
Creative Strategy: 2 Shortlists
India secured two shortlists in Creative Strategy, both for the Eye Test Menu campaign by Ogilvy Bangalore for Titan Eye+. The campaign earned a shortlist in the Corporate Purpose and Social Responsibility category. The second shortlist was also secured by the same campaign in the Products/Services category.
Film: 2 Shortlists
India secured two shortlists in the Film Lions category.
Everybody Loves a Good Fight for Battlegrounds Mobile India by Enormous, Mumbai has made the shortlist.
The second shortlisted entry is WhatsApp – Baatan Hi Baatan Mein (Love in a Few Words) for WhatsApp by Fundamental, Mumbai.
India did not secure any shortlist entries in Creative Business Transformation, Luxury or Creative Effectiveness.
How India fared in these categories in 2025
Last year, India delivered some of its strongest performances in the categories announced today.
In Creative Business Transformation, FCB India won a Gold Lion for Lucky Yatra for Indian Railways.
The campaign also secured a Gold Lion in Creative Commerce, making it one of India’s standout successes at Cannes Lions 2025.
Category-wise comparison
|
Category |
2026 Shortlists |
2025 shortlists |
|
Creative Business Transformation |
0 |
3 |
|
Creative Commerce |
1 |
2 |
|
Luxury |
0 |
0 |
|
Creative Effectiveness |
0 |
2 |
|
Creative Strategy |
2 |
0 |
|
Film |
2 |
1 |
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026 continues in Cannes, France, with winners across categories set to be announced throughout the week.
