Cannes Lions is back in person, and here’s what to expect

This week, thousands of people will flock to Cannes in hopes of getting inspired by some of the very best creative work in the world, and to catch a glimpse of the next big thing for the industry.

Cannes is dedicated to driving progress through creativity, and it brings marketers and industry thought leaders from all around the world to the south of France for inspiration and, yes, a little fun too. This year, the anticipation is high as Cannes stages a triumphant return to being held in-person after a two-year hiatus.

In addition to Cannes’ mainstage, Meta will be showcasing the power of creativity on communities, spotlighting creators and engaging with partners throughout the week. Meta Beach, located at the Majestic Hotel, will feature an array of experiential activations and thought leadership programming. The events will be open to all festival goers with or without a badge.

Here are some highlights of what you can expect at the beach:

• Meta mainstage seminar: Breaking Barriers and Building Community With Lupita Nyong’o. Meta’s Nicola Mendelsohn, VP, global business group at Meta, sits down with Oscar-winning actress, author, director and producer Lupita Nyong’o for an in-depth conversation about flipping the script on Hollywood, finding new ways to build communities, enlighten brands, and how she’s truly won our hearts and minds. Wednesday, June 22, 2:00-2:30 p.m. Location: Lumiere Theater, Palais I, at the Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes. Please note you will need a festival pass to attend this session.

• The Best Metaverse Strategy Starts Right Now. The full promise of the metaverse is years if not decades away, but the best metaverse strategy is one that starts right now. Asmita Dubey, chief digital officer, L'Oréal; Richard Oppy, VP, global brands, AB InBev; and Sebastian Beuchel, global head of brand management, mini, join this panel hosted by Marne Levine, chief business officer of Meta. Hear how mini, L’Oréal and AB InBev are building meaningful, durable connections with their customers now, while leading the way into the metaverse tomorrow. Tuesday, June 21, 11-11:30 a.m.

• The Making of a Global Brand. Join Alex Schultz, chief marketing officer and VP of analytics at Meta, and David Droga, CEO and creative chairman of Accenture Song, as they sit down for an intimate conversation exploring building and growing a global brand that pushes the boundaries on innovation, and ultimately shapes an inclusive future built for everyone, by everyone. Wednesday, June 22, 11-11:30 a.m.

• Creators x Commerce: Driving Discovery with Issa Rae & Influential. Creators are ushering in the next wave of the digital economy by building brands, helping consumers discover products and driving loyalty. Meta, through its tools and services, and its network of Meta business partners, are helping creators and brands connect, grow and monetize to fuel this creative innovation. Join Alvin Bowles, Meta’s VP of business ecosystem partnerships; Issa Rae, producer, actress, writer and co-owner of Sienna Naturals; and Ryan Detert, co-founder and CEO of Influential, to discuss the evolution of the creator economy. Wednesday, June 22, 1:30-2 p.m.

• Coachella x Palace of Versailles: (Re)creating Culture with Meta Spark. Over the last few years, AR has blossomed from a nascent technology to one used broadly across communication, shopping, entertainment, expression and more. Join the session hosted by Ash Jhaveri, VP of Reality Labs partnerships at Meta (and featuring Paul Chaine, head of digital, Palace of Versailles; Sam Schoonover, innovation lead, Coachella Music Festival; and Helena Dong, AR creator and art director, Buck), to explore how Meta Spark is reinventing culture for leading cultural institutions such as the Palace of Versailles and contemporary cultural festivals like Coachella, and hear from the AR creators behind these experiences. Wednesday, June 22, 3:45-4:15 p.m.

Reels Superstudio: Created in tandem with renowned artist Felipe Pantone, the Reels Superstudio is an interactive experience designed to bring out the creator in everyone. This stunning space offers the perfect backdrop for visitors to learn how to make expressive Reels from creators around the world. Make your own Reel in Felipe Pantone-designed rooms paired with new AR effects, and leave with a unique free gift from the Instagram shop.