Cannes Lions has confirmed a show-stopping roster of star speakers set to keep the red carpet firmly in place outside the Palais des Festivals. Some of Hollywood’s most famous faces will unite with industry stars to share insights and inspiration as part of the biggest programme in the Festival’s history. Oscar-winning directors and actors will talk visionary, risk-taking and creative bravery; themes at the heart of branded communications. Acclaimed director Alejandro G Iñárritu, winner of successive awards for the critically acclaimed films Birdman and The Revenant, will discuss making mould-breaking cinema with Tham Khai Meng, Co-Chairman and Worldwide CCO at Ogilvy & Mather. Multi-Oscar winning director, screenwriter and producer, Oliver Stone, will also share his views on filmmaking, politics and culture with The Guardian.
Harvey Weinstein
They’ll be joined by Academy award-winning director of The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper; and Golden Eye and Casino Royale director, Martin Campbell, who will talk about his experience of integrating brands into his work. One of Hollywood’s most-awarded storytellers and visionaries Harvey Weinstein, will also be in discussion with Maurice Lévy, Chairman and CEO of the Publicis Groupe, taking a deeper look at the future of film and asking what the bridge between entertainment and advertising will look like. Director, producer and co-president of VICELAND, Spike Jonze will also talk about creating content that matters to young audiences, while Steve Golin explores the power of cinema to drive change.
“We’re delighted to introduce some of the most diverse creative minds in the world onto the Festival stage”
Two-time Academy Award nominee, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, and former Fresh Prince, Will Smith will dissect what’s needed for global brand success in a career that has spanned film, television, and music; Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress, singer and owner of health and wellness platform Goop, will face probing questions from BBC HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur. Also onstage, Star Trek stars Zachary Quinto (Spock), Simon Pegg (Scotty) and Chris Pine (Captain Kirk) explore creative processes and how to bring new life to old stories. Grammy award-winning stars and music legends will also share their insights into the developing confluence of content and culture, including musical pioneer, Brian Eno, creative maverick Iggy Pop and multi-Grammy winning producers and performers Mark Ronson, Usher and Timbaland.
Will Smith
Lions Festivals CEO, Philip Thomas, said of the dazzling programme: “Creativity remains at the heart of our programme. We’re delighted to announce speakers who have earned accolades in their fields and introduce some of the most diverse creative minds in the world onto the Festival stage. The programme brings the ever-growing ecosystem of creative communications together, allowing delegates to seek out inspiration from across the spectrum.”
Cannes Lions take place between the 18th and the 25th of June. We'll be there to bring you all the biggest and best news, and in the run up, we'll also be keeping you up-to-date with all the moves and shakes happening behind the scenes, so keep your browsers tuned to Creativepool for everything Cannes.
