Young Lions Morocco 2026
The Ultimate Creative Competition

The Young Lions Competition is the world’s leading creative challenge for professionals aged 30 and under. In teams of two, you’ll race against the clock to answer a real client brief with bold and smart ideas.

To reach the global final held during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, there’s one essential step: you must first win the Moroccan national qualifying competition organised by UACC, the official Cannes Lions Representative in Morocco.

Ready to prove yourself, earn your spot, and represent Morocco on the world stage? Take the challenge.

Who can apply?

The Young Lions Competition is open to young professionals aged 30 and under working across creativity, media, marketing, digital and public relations. You must apply in teams of two and you’re free to form your duo however you like. It’s not required for both teammates to work for the same employer, as long as you both meet the eligibility rules.

Each team must select one competition category only. Eligibility requirements may vary depending on the category and professional background. All participants must be able to work and present in English.

Competition rules

Your Road to Cannes Starts Here!

15 January 2026

The Young Lions Competition officially opens and begins accepting applications.

28 Ferbuary 2026

Last opportunity to submit your application.

06 March 2026

Official briefing session followed by category competitions.

08 March 2026

Final Deadline for Deliverables Submission.

16 March 2026

Announcement of winning teams.

24 June 2026

Official participation of Morocco in the Young Lions Competitions at Cannes.

Official Competition Partner – AMH

Founded in 1992, the Moroccan Association of People with Disabilities (AMH) is a leading organisation in Morocco advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. For over three decades, AMH has worked to promote equal access to education, employment, healthcare and public spaces, while helping shift societal perceptions from a charitable approach to one rooted in rights, dignity and autonomy. For this edition of Cannes Young Lions Morocco, UACC is proud to partner with AMH around a high-impact social cause that calls for creativity, responsibility and meaningful engagement.

Young Lions Morocco 2026 Categories

Whether you are a creative, strategist, marketer or media specialist, the Young Lions Competition offers a category tailored to your expertise and the opportunity to showcase your talent on a global stage.

The digital competition

The Digital Competition challenges teams to develop an innovative, digital campaign under time pressure, evaluated on creative strength, strategic relevance and real-world impact.

The print competition

The Print Competition tests young creatives’ ability to deliver a strong and impactful print ad from a real brief, judged on creative quality, executional precision and message clarity.

The media competition

The Media Competition highlights the excellence of media talents, challenging them to design an innovative and effective media approach, assessed on insight quality and impact generation.

The PR competition

The PR Competition challenges PR talents to develop a bold and credible strategy around a real issue, judged on idea strength, PR relevance and the ability to generate impact and conversations.

The marketer competition

The Marketers Competition by GAM challenges client-side talents to develop a creative and effective marketing strategy under time pressure, assessed on insight relevance and strategic strength.

Partners & Contributors

The Young Lions Competition is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, reflecting the institutional support and national importance of this initiative. This endorsement underscores the competition’s role in promoting creativity, youth empowerment and the development of Morocco’s creative and cultural industries. The initiative is further strengthened by the support of many trusted partners from across the industry, whose involvement helps ensure the relevance, credibility and impact of the competition.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to participate in the Young Lions Competition?

The competition is open to young Moroccan professionals aged 30 and under working in creativity, media, marketing, digital or public relations. Eligibility requirements may vary by category and professional background.

Can I apply as an individual, or do I need to be part of a team?

Participants must apply in teams of two. Individual applications are not accepted.

Can I participate in more than one competition category?

No. Each team may enter only one competition category per edition.

What language must submissions and presentations be in?

All submissions, presentations and jury sessions must be conducted in English.

Are travel and accommodation costs for Cannes Lions covered?

Participation in the national competition is free. Travel, accommodation and personal expenses related to attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity are, in principle, the responsibility of the winning teams. However, UACC is actively working to secure partnerships and funding in order to cover, as much as possible, the flights and accommodation for the winning teams.

I’m a freelancer. Can I participate?

Yes. Freelancers are eligible to participate in certain competition categories, subject to the specific eligibility criteria of each category. Applicants are encouraged to review the official competition rules to confirm eligibility before applying.

Do I need a visa to attend Cannes Lions if I am selected?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Selected teams are responsible for checking visa requirements and completing the application process in due time. UACC will provide official invitation letters or supporting documents when required to facilitate visa applications.

When will the winning teams need to attend Cannes Lions?

Winning teams are required to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from June 22 to June 26, 2026, which are the official dates of the Young Lions Competitions.

Do I need my employer’s approval?

Yes. Participants are expected to obtain their employer’s approval before applying, as the competition requires full availability during the competition period and, if selected, attendance at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

How to apply?

Applications must be submitted online via the official Young Lions Morocco registration form. Candidates must apply in teams of two, select one competition category, and complete all required information before the application deadline (28/02/2026). Only complete applications will be considered.

For detailed requirements, please review the 2026 Official Young Lions Competition Rules.

What do the winning teams receive?

In addition to being crowned Morocco’s Young Lions 2026 and earning the right to represent Morocco at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, each winning team will receive:

•⁠ ⁠Festival registration for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (Cannes, France)

•⁠ ⁠Two (2) full-week Festival passes

Subject to sponsor support and the overall event budget, the following benefits may also be covered:

•⁠ ⁠Round-trip economy airfare plus airport transfers (to/from Nice, France)

•⁠ ⁠Accommodation in Cannes (single occupancy rooms) for the duration of the Festival

Is there a fee to participate?

No. Participation in the Young Lions Morocco national competition is free of charge.

The Union of Communication Consulting Agencies (UACC) is the leading professional organisation for the communication and advertising industry in Morocco. Founded in 1998, it brings together 52 member agencies representing over 85% of the country’s advertising activity. UACC works to promote the strategic value of communication and advertising as a key driver of value creation and economic growth, while acting as a trusted partner for public institutions and industry stakeholders to support the development and professionalism of the sector.

For all inquiries : younglions(at)uacc.ma

Young Lions Morocco 2026The Ultimate Creative Competition