Now Open: The Creator Fund returns for Cannes Lions 2026 with Patreon backing

FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy are relaunching The Creator Fund for Cannes Lions 2026, expanding the initiative with support from Patreon as the programme enters its second year.

The Creator Fund aims to support emerging creator entrepreneurs by providing access to Cannes Lions and connecting them with brands, agencies and industry decision makers.

The programme will award 20 creator passes to the 2026 festival, each valued at $1,724 (€1,494). Applications are now open and close on 23 March, with successful creators announced on 14 April.

While the initiative centres around attendance at the global advertising festival, organisers say the goal is broader than simply getting creators through the door.

Participants receive structured support before, during and after the event. This includes curated programming, introductions to brand partners and guidance on how to convert festival access into long-term business opportunities.

Expanding creator access to Cannes

Cannes Lions has increasingly expanded its creator-focused programming in recent years, reflecting the growing role of creators in the world of marketing and entertainment.

FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy launched The Creator Fund last year to address a long-standing barrier for many creators: access to industry spaces traditionally dominated by agencies, platforms and advertisers.

Becky Owen, global head of FiveTwoNine and global CMO at Billion Dollar Boy, said the initiative was designed to ensure creators are represented in key industry conversations.

“Too often, the people shaping modern creativity are missing from the rooms where the industry’s biggest decisions are made,” Owen said.

“Not because they lack talent, but because the barriers to entry are financial and structural.”

She added that the first year of the programme demonstrated the impact of providing creators with structured support around the festival experience.

“We did not simply provide entry to Cannes Lions. We supported winners at every stage, helping them navigate the festival, connecting them directly with brands and working alongside them to secure speaking opportunities and long-term relationships.”

For 2026, membership platform Patreon joins the initiative as a sponsor, signalling a stronger focus on creator-led businesses and direct-to-fan models.

Lina Renzina, head of top creator management at Patreon, said the partnership reflects the need to support creators building sustainable businesses.

“Creators building direct-to-fan communities are laying the foundation for independent businesses, but many need better access to the partners, resources and opportunities that make long-term sustainability possible,” she said.

“With Cannes Lions increasing its spotlight on the creator economy, we’re proud to work with Billion Dollar Boy and FiveTwoNine to connect creators with the relationships, resources and visibility they need to scale.”

Independent jury selects 2026 cohort

Recipients are selected by an independent jury made up of leaders across the creator, brand and media ecosystem.

The 2026 jury includes representatives from Patreon, Microsoft, Verizon, Adobe, TikTok, WARC, Forbes and BBC Studios TalentWorks, alongside creators who participated in the programme last year.

The selection process evaluates applicants on originality, audience engagement and entrepreneurial ambition.

Eligible creators must have at least 20,000 followers on their primary platform, or 5,000 supporters on Patreon, as well as a consistent content output and a clear interest in attending Cannes Lions for the first time.

Early impact from the 2025 programme

The inaugural Creator Fund supported 20 creators with a combined following of 14.5 million, including funding tickets to CreatorFest.

Joel Marlinarson, one of the 2025 recipients, said the experience reflected a wider shift in the festival’s relationship with creators.

“It felt like I was experiencing a noticeable shift,” he said. “More creators were there and belonging, instead of feeling like outsiders.”

Another recipient, Simi Adeshina, said the programme had a lasting impact on her ambitions as a creator.

“I knew I’d come away from it feeling inspired and I’m happy to say I’m riding that buzz right now,” she said. “I’m more motivated than ever to scale up my production.”