- There are lots of blogs and articles written by previous entrants about their experience that you can find from a quick Google search.
- Make sure you know exactly what you need to submit for the Irish competition. Details of this are available on the Competition page.
- Young Lions competition briefs always focus on not for profit objectives.
- Time is precious at Cannes! You only have 24 hours to answer the brief, so be prepared in advance. We are running our competition over a weekend in 2026 to help prepare you for this.
- Familarise yourself with the types of briefs that will be given.
- Have a look at what other countries have done for their entries over the past year or two.
Any entry that does not comply with the entry requirements and T&Cs will not be accepted. So make sure you have read these before you start any work.
Hints & Tips from the Jury Room
Avoid the Obvious
Jury members often see multiple entries arriving at the same “popular” solution. When an idea feels too easy or predictable, it’s likely others have landed there too — and originality suffers as a result. Aim for a solution that genuinely stands out. If it feels obvious to you, pause and push further.
Push the Idea Further
Strong ideas often fall down because they haven’t been fully explored. In the jury room, teams were frequently able to add compelling layers when prompted - but that thinking should happen before you’re questioned. Stress-test your idea, explore extensions, and see how far it can go.
Demonstrate Creative Thinking
This is especially critical in the Media category. A solid channel plan isn’t enough on its own — the jury needs to see creativity in action. What would people actually see, hear, or experience? Show the messaging, the content, and the creative thinking behind the media idea.
Don’t Re-Present the Brief
The jury already knows the task, audience, and challenge. Avoid using slides to restate the brief. Use your time and space to sell your solution, not to repeat what’s already understood.
Present with Confidence
If shortlisted, don’t be afraid to present differently. Some of the strongest teams relied less on slides and more on clear, confident verbal storytelling. The jury is buying into you as well as your idea — they need to believe you’ll represent your country well in Cannes and perform under pressure.
Come into the room ready to compete. Show passion, belief, and ambition. Let the jury feel how much you want it — and best of luck.