The Creative Circle Full Circle 2026, in partnership with Ster-Kinekor, hosts a selection of jury members, as they take the audience inside the jury rooms, through an inspiring showcase of the top trends, insights and award-winning work from Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Director Jason Fialkov has rejoined Carbon Films after several years working independently. The move reunites him with the team behind some of his most recognised work. And while there were plenty of practical reasons for returning, Jason sums it up by saying, "I miss the family."
Three examples of South African craft rise to the top in this month's IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards. Congratulations to Paul Ward from Giant Films, Alex Smillie from Pressure Cooker Studios and Craig Moore from Robot, whose work impressed this month's judges. And a big thank you to Galaletsang Kgoathe, Creative Partner at Ogilvy South Africa, and Marc Algranti, Music Supervisor at Algranti Music, for giving up their eyeballs, ears and excellent judgement to crown this month's winners.
Spitfire’s Director AK recently used the new VRtuosus studio in Hyde Park on a shoot for Profmed featuring Springbok prop Ox Nche, becoming one of the first South African commercial directors to put VRtuosus through the real test.
Fresh off taking home Silver in the ‘First Series – Full Series’ category at the Young Directors Award in Cannes for VW, Sanaa Mothabisa’s and the team at Sanaa Films continue to build an impressive body of work. Sanaa's latest commercial for Infacare through LePub leans into one of his superpowers: sensitivity. Shot in striking black and white, the film reflects a director growing in confidence and craft.
Grid Worldwide is independent again and it thinks the timing couldn't be better. After 16 years as part of TBWA\SA, Grid Worldwide has completed a management buyout, officially returning to full independence from 1 June.
Robot director Ayanda Duma has a habit of finding the version of a story you didn't know was there. Her latest work for Meow Meow Woof and Mukuru blends genres, humour and beautifully observed human moments into a film that feels unmistakably like Ayanda.
In this conversation, Zanele Kabane, M&C Saatchi Abel Associate Creative Director, shares what she looks for in directors, why trust between agencies and marketers changes everything, the ads she wishes she'd written, her complicated relationship with AI, and the unexpected hobby that's teaching her a surprising amount about creativity. Don't miss her shout-out to some of her favourite creatives doing work in our industry right now.
IDIDTHAT will be the first to bring you the Cannes Lions shortlists for South Africa as they are announced from the 11th – 26th of June 2026. Not only will we list those involved in creating the magic, we’ll also be showcasing the actual work that’s being recognised globally and link it back to the IDIDTHAT companies behind the work. This way, you’ll know exactly who the top creative minds to collaborate with are.
Keri-Ann Stanton, Chief Strategist and Founder of KAMuses Group, reports back from the final day of Cannes in the best possible way. We all speak Cannes now. And Keri-Ann... we're all dying to know. Did the giant box of matches make it back to South Africa?
In this diary, we get a two-for-one Cannes special from Accenture Song ECD Cameron Watson. From the nerves and pride of presenting ‘The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix’ to the Titanium jury, to Silver Lion celebrations, Saffa meet-ups, and the beautiful blur that makes Cannes feel like one giant, sun-drenched fever dream, Cameron's says it perfectly.
Former Ogilvy South Africa ECD and creative powerhouse Mariana O'Kelly is flying the South African flag on the global stage. Now based in Chicago, Mariana is the first Chief Creative Officer of DonerColle Partners, the alliance between Stagwell agencies Doner and Colle McVoy. If you've never had the pleasure of working with Mariana, this diary is a wonderful introduction to her brilliant, funny mind. South Africa misses you, ma se kind.
For her first Cannes Lions, Volkswagen Group Africa Head of Marketing Bridget Harpur navigates the heat (and rosé) like a seasoned professional. One thing that stands out for her is the South Africans. Competitors at home, one team at Cannes. Her diary is a reminder of what an incredible bunch of humans we are. Go Team SA 🇿🇦
Nedbank Africa Regions Executive Head of Marketing Tatiana Ndlovu packs more into a single Cannes day than most people manage in a week. And we thought rosé on the terrace was exhausting. It's inspiring to see someone make the most of every opportunity this festival offers. If you've ever wondered what Cannes Lions really has to offer, this diary is for you.
Boundless Co-CCO Fran Luckin's words never let us down. She shares the quotes and convo's that stuck with her, from creativity and career growth to why the Red Hot Chili Peppers may have cracked the code on long-term creative partnerships.
Darling Films director and Open Chair Lioness Gale Maimane is experiencing Cannes Lions for the first time, and by day two she's already learned some valuable lessons: always eat breakfast, walking is often faster than traffic, and the best conversations aren't always the ones happening on stage.
In this edition of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Think Creative Africa co-founder and CCO Nkgabiseng Motau takes us through a day of melting in the Cannes heat, chasing inspiration across the Croisette, and finding unexpected encouragement from Susan Credle, this year's Lion of St. Mark recipient. Along the way, she reflects on the power of human creativity, African representation and the moments that make Cannes unforgettable.
For this edition of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa Head of Music Phiona Okumu reflects on her first Cannes Lions experience as a juror. Between moments of impostor syndrome, finding friendship in unexpected places, discovering the real Cannes beyond the Croisette, and squeezing in an early morning run along the Mediterranean, her diary is a reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of Cannes happen far away from the stages.
For day one of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Machine_ Group ECD and Cannes Lions Audio & Radio juror Jabulani Sigege gives us more than a single day and we’re not complaining. He takes us through his first few days in Cannes, from arriving on the Croisette and settling into jury life to the responsibility of helping award the world’s best work.
Castle Lager’s new campaign is a tribute to the supporters who stood by Bafana Bafana through three decades of triumph, heartbreak and hope. Created by Bananas and Retroviral and directed by Paul Ward from Giant Films, the recreation is so authentic that many viewers have mistaken it for archive footage. Here's how the team brought three decades of Bafana Bafana fandom back to life.