Cannes Lions promotes creativity after dark: the Night School

CANNES – Cannes Lions is famous for celebrating great work, learning amazing things, and some serious weapons-grade networking.

In the old days, the learning experience at the Festival came to an end each day at 6pm. The Palais stages closed for the day and Festival attendees prepared for an evening of award shows, dinners, parties and (for the sturdier souls) the Gutter Bar.

But all that is about to change. Just because the sun is setting on the Côte d’Azur, the learning doesn’t have to stop. You don’t have to be a student, or a Young Lion. You just need to have an official Festival badge (all badges are welcome, including Lions Health, Lions Innovation, Lions Entertainment, Networker etc.)

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Imagine a place where you get to meet some amazing people; where you learn new skills, hear new ideas and try new things. Imagine a place where you can have fun and become a better creative. That is what’s happening on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the Festival week from 6pm to 8pm.

The Night School is where curiosity comes out to play. Bright ideas will be explored in an informal setting by disruptors and masters alike. Expect conversations rather than talks, workshops instead of lesson plans. With fluid agendas and passionate speakers in an informal setting, this is stripped-back learning available to all.

Bring yourself and your curiosity!

How it works…

Kicking off at 6pm each day, there’s a short talk and interview with a special guest. This is followed by a mixture of creative challenges and workshops, and some surprise special appearances. Things will wrap up around 8pm, which is just the right time for those who want to get a late dinner or an early night!

Tuesday: The art of the side gig

Side gigs. We all have ‘em. And if we don’t have ‘em, we want ‘em. They’re as ubiquitous in this industry as plaid shirts and black frames. Sometimes they’re quirky and unexpected, sometimes they make the world a better place, and sometimes they do all of the above. Tonight, we’ll learn how to perfect the art of the side gig, and how to clear space for your creative side piece.

Guest speakers TBC.

Wednesday: Creative mind, body & soul

Mind. Body. Soul/consciousness/whatever you’d like to call the inner workings of you. It all works together and like any complicated puzzle, all the pieces matter. Tonight we’ll focus on bringing these three elements of our life back into alignment and having a bit of fun with it as we go. Calm your racing mind, lower your blood pressure and reacquaint yourself with your inner child. They’re still in there. We promise.

Guest speakers TBC.

Thursday: Transformation

It’s our job to help people imagine the way things could be. Literally. Imagination is our profession. We need to surround ourselves with diversity in every sense of the word, so our thoughts, ideas and output will be as innovative and transformative as possible. We have the power to shape the future with our thoughts, so how will we use it? What does the future look like? How will we work towards diversity, inclusivity and innovation that will make the future not just different, but better?