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CANNES LIONS 2026

the creator fund

A chance for creators to attend Cannes Lions 2026 - where the industry moves, careers take off, and trends get set

WIN A TICKET TO CANNES LIONS

WIN A TICKET TO CANNES LIONS •

THE CREATOR FUND: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF CREATIVITY

At FiveTwoNine, we back creators shaping what’s next - with real opportunities that move the industry and their careers forward.

The Creator Fund Cannes Lions is a grant built in partnership with Billion Dollar Boy to help creators experience the world's largest advertising and creative event.

Our aim is to break down financial barriers by awarding tickets to the next wave of creative talent set to redefine the creator economy.

OUR annual CREATOR FUND

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CANNES LIONS

Financial barriers still keep many creators from the spaces where long-term opportunities begin. The Creator Fund exists to change that – covering the cost of entry and helping creators make it count once they’re there.

Last year, we brought 20 creators to Cannes Lions. We covered their passes and supported them throughout the week with curated introductions, private events, speaking opportunities, and direct brand partnerships. They met brand leaders, platforms, and senior decision-makers face-to-face.

This is now an annual commitment: to ensure more creators are in the rooms where the industry sets direction — and to back them properly once they’re inside.

The creator fund x patreon

This year, we’ve joined forces with Patreon to unlock more opportunities for creators at Cannes Lions. Together, we’re making it easier to connect, learn, and grow – so your time at the Festival truly drives your career forward.

Selected creators will get to attend the FiveTwoNine x Patreon Happy Hour on Wednesday 24 June – an exclusive rooftop session for drinks and conversation, exploring how creators build audiences and forge deeper brand collaborations.

CANNES LIONS, ON US

Cannes Lions is where the creative and advertising world comes together – a week of learning, connections, and insights that shape how the industry works.

FiveTwoNine, Billion Dollar Boy, and Patreon are covering the full cost of your Creator Pass (normally €1,422).

With support from Cannes Lions, we’re giving selected creators access to tailored sessions, roundtables, and curated networking, so you can focus on getting the insights and connections you need to expand your business and make an impact.

It's where the entire creator ecosystem comes together, from global brands to big media – all in one place for one week. It’s where you get to be in the room with the right people – from peers to CMOs – opening doors for collaboration.

CALLING CREATORS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CONTENT & CREATIVITY

Is this you? Apply if you're...


Creative Trailblazers

You push boundaries with unique, standout content.

Engaged & Influential

You have 20K+ followers on your primary social platform and post consistently.

On the Rise

Your content, audience, or creative approach is constantly evolving.

Forward-Thinking

Shaping new ways of creating, sharing and building.

Breaking Barriers

You’ve never been to Cannes Lions and wouldn’t have the chance otherwise.

Vision-LED

Your work and values embody the creative spirit we champion.

APPLY HERE

THE JURY VOTES

GET SELECTED

MAKE CANNES LIONS YOUR

meet the jury

Your application will be reviewed by an independent jury of industry leaders shaping the creator economy. With their votes, they’re backing creators with the talent, ambition, and perspective to step into bigger rooms and make it count. The process is rigorous, transparent, and built to recognise real potential.

KEY DATES







APRIL 9

WINNERS ANNOUNCED


MARCH 30-APRIL 2

WINNER NOTIFIED

MARCH 16-26

JURY CAST THEIR VOTES

MARCH 16

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

MARCH 3

APPLICATIONS OPEN

JUNE 22-26

CANNES LIONS FESIVAL

Brands. Be the Change!

We’re opening the door for brands and partners to co-sponsor future Creator Fund events, expanding what this movement can become.

If you want to champion creators, connect with communities, and make a lasting impact - we’re ready to collaborate.

FAQ

  • The Creator Fund, created by FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy, is about reducing financial barriers and creating opportunities for talented creators to participate in key industry events – starting with Cannes Lions 2025.

    We're providing passes and support to a select group, enabling them to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of the industry. This fund is set to support more events in the future, and we seek to eventually uncover new ways to empower creators in their careers and businesses

  • The Creator Fund was born from our commitment to finding impactful ways to support creators, particularly when it comes to career-defining opportunities. We launched it earlier this year starting with granting creator passes to Cannes Lions and CreatorFest Europe - the industry's premier global stages, that offer an unparalleled chance for creators to connect with brand leaders, platforms, and key decision-makers.

    Now we’re on a mission to help creators host their community events in NYC.

    We understand that the significant costs associated with attending and hosting events create barriers for many talented creators. This fund is our direct response to these challenges, aimed at promoting greater diversity and representation at industry events, and ultimately, driving systemic change in creator economy.

  • FiveTwoNine is a company that offers free resources, events, and workspaces for creators to support their careers. The Creator Fund is part of our larger mission to empower creators.

  • Once applications close, the FiveTwoNine team will review all submissions and shortlist three creators whose event ideas best reflect our mission – building community, creativity, and connection in real life.

    We’ll then hold interviews with each shortlisted creator to explore their ideas in more depth before selecting one creator for the first sponsorship.

    We’ll also stay in touch with the other shortlisted creators to find ways to collaborate in future editions of The Creator Fund and continue supporting their growth.

  • Our fund covers the cost of the pass itself – a €1,185 commitment to making Cannes more accessible for creators and opening up new career opportunities!

    Creators will need to arrange and cover their travel, accommodation, and meals. 

    To assist with logistics, we're collaborating with Cannes Lions, who will provide guidance on travel and accommodation.

    The pass unlocks a week of incredible access to valuable connections and career-defining moments! It includes a dedicated base in the rooftop area, along with exclusive programming and events we're curating for our creators.

    In the future, our hope is to expand this fund through partnerships, with the long-term goal of offering even more comprehensive support. Keep posted to find out more.

  • Yes! Beyond providing Cannes Lions Creator passes, we are leveraging our industry access and knowledge to open doors that aren't purely financial.

    Getting to Cannes is one thing, but knowing where to go and who to meet is another. We're providing crucial support through exclusive programming and events, ensuring creators not only attend but also have the tools and connections to truly succeed. This includes networking events and career development opportunities that they would not otherwise have.

    We are working with our partners to see how we - as an industry - can support more creators in the future, giving them even greater access.

  • No. Creators who receive passes through The Creator Fund have no expectation or obligation to post anything for FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy or Cannes Lions. This is an independent investment focused on supporting creators.

  • All hard costs for the Creator Fund are covered by FiveTwoNine, Billion Dollar Boy, and Patreon. This includes the Creator Passes for 20 creators (worth €1,422 each) and the full support of our team, both in the two months leading up to the festival and throughout the week on-site.

    We are paying full price for all Cannes Lions passes. Cannes Lions has not provided any financial support or discounts for this initiative.

    Beyond covering costs, we use our networks and expertise to unlock career-defining opportunities for creators: speaking on major Cannes Lions stages, attending invite-only events, securing brand partnerships, joining masterclasses with industry leaders, and more.

    The partnership with Cannes Lions allows us to promote the initiative through official channels and ensures our creators get full access to the festival, invitations to key activations, and guidance on how to make the most of the experience.

  • We wanted to maximize the impact of our resources and support a larger group of creators. Moreover, supporting only a few creators would have limited our ability to showcase the full diversity of the creator economy.

    As this is the first initiative under The Creator Fund, we’re focused on providing event passes – which is a direct investment in the growth of talented creators from Billion Dollar Boy and FiveTwoNine. However, we aim to build this fund through industry partnerships to eventually offer comprehensive support, including travel and accommodation, for creators at key events and industry moments.

  • The Creator Fund is specifically designed to directly support creators in attending key industry events. Our focus is on providing opportunities for creators themselves to connect, learn, and grow. While we recognize the valuable role that agents and managers play, the fund's resources are dedicated to empowering creators and amplifying their voices. We believe that by investing directly in creators, we can have the greatest impact on their career trajectories and foster a more inclusive and dynamic creative landscape.

  • Yes. We are actively seeking partners – brands, platforms, industry players – to contribute to this fund so we can do more and support more creators. We believe that collaborative efforts are essential to drive meaningful change within the industry. 

    If you want to support The Creator Fund to make the support we offer creators even more substantial, let’s talk – contact us here.

  • If you are passionate about increasing accessibility for creators and want to support this mission, please contact us at mail@fivetwonine.com. We'd love to discuss how we can work together to garner more support from the wider industry.

Terms & Conditions of The Creator Fund - CANNES LIONS 2026