Safe haven areas established at Cannes Lions, manned by skilled personnel for security and assistance.
Cannes Lions Introduces Three Safe Zones for Festival-Goers
To enhance safety and inclusivity, Cannes Lions festival organizers have announced the introduction of three Safe Zones, available around the clock during the festival. The new measure aims to provide immediate support and assistance to those facing or witnessing harassment or assault.
These Safe Zones will be stationed inside the main venue at Palais des Festivals, Pantiero Terrace (adjacent to Cannes Lions registration space), and at La Roseraie park, situated on the opposite side of the Croisette. Staffed by trained professionals, these confidential spaces will operate for 22 hours daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
The initiative follows allegations of sexual harassment and assault at the 2024 Cannes Lions event, which attracted over 12,000 delegates from 94 countries. Organizers have not confirmed whether the new safeguarding measures are directly linked to these reports, but Frank Starling, DEI chief at Cannes Lions, stated that they have been developed through active listening, feedback, and collaboration.
Last year, two U.S. undergraduate students shared reports of sexual assault with ADWEEK, claiming they had filed a report with Cannes police about a U.S. ad industry contractor. They mentioned their incident taking place in the garden of the Carlton Hotel during early hours. Another account emerged in Campaign, with Dagmar Bennett, TV documentary and partnerships director at Brixton Finishing School, reporting a senior male business associate's inappropriate behavior.
Based on input from the festival's Community Safeguarding Committee, these new measures involve a clear triage system for assessing incidents and determining appropriate next steps and support for affected delegates. In addition, the locations of numerous “alert buttons” installed by the City of Cannes will be included in the official Cannes Lions Festival app and its inclusivity guide, ensuring ease of access to these discreet alarm systems connected directly to Cannes police.
According to Starling, the festival aims to create an environment where everyone feels respected and included. In 2024, Cannes Lions partnered with TimeTo to launch Celebrating Safely, a guide providing advice and education on sexual harassment for all festival attendees. This year, the campaign will encourage delegates and partners to reflect on their behavior and its impact on others, promoting a respectful, inclusive experience for all.
In the run-up to Cannes Lions, TimeTo will provide dedicated bystander intervention training, available to all delegates. Information on this training will be shared with attendees ahead of the event to empower them to intervene safely and effectively in inappropriate situations, aims to educate participants and create a festival environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.
In an effort to foster a more supportive and inclusive business environment, Cannes Lions has introduced diversity-and-inclusion training for delegates, aiming to educate participants and create a festival atmosphere where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. To increase financial transparency and promote responsible practices, Cannes Lions is also considering offering a range of financial options for delegate registrations, enabling attendees to choose the plan that best fits their budget and needs.
