Championing Representation
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
Alongside the expanded content programme, Cannes Lions continues to place a strong emphasis on talent development, representation and long-term structural change across the creative industries. Central to this is the See It Be It programme, now entering its 2026 edition as one of the Festival’s most established platforms for accelerating women and non-binary talent in creativity.
Since its launch in 2014, See It Be It has now supported more than 150 women and non-binary creatives from 44 markets. This year’s cohort brings together 20 creatives from 15 markets, including first-time representation from Serbia and South Korea.
Taking place across the week, the programme combines mentorship, private masterclasses, curated session access and backstage experiences tailored to each participant’s ambitions. The 2026 cohort will be supported by Alumni Tutors Leena Gupta of Talented Agency, India, and Natasha Lashly, founder and ECD of Piña Colada, Venezuela.
“The week I came back from Cannes (2025), I wrote a little ‘moonshot’ in my notebook: come back one day as a SIBI Tutor,” Lashly said. “This programme has a way of changing you. You arrive for professional growth, but leave with something deeper: confidence, clarity, and a global sisterhood.”
Gupta added: “Being part of See It Be It 2025 shifted something fundamental in me. It reminded me that the right room can change the trajectory of a career. Coming back as a Tutor feels like a full-circle moment. I’m excited to hold space for twenty extraordinary women as they question bigger, speak louder, and build braver.”
Frank Starling, chief DEI Officer, LIONS, said See It Be It “embodies our unwavering commitment to elevating underrepresented talent in the creative industry. This year, the programme welcomes a dynamic cohort representing a broad range of creative disciplines and markets. Their unique perspectives and experiences will undoubtedly enrich our SIBI community – a network dedicated to fostering career development and paving the way forward for women and non-binary talent in the industry.”
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