Ali Ali is making history. The co-founder of Good People Films and advertising visionary has been named the first Egyptian Jury President for the Film Craft Lions at the 72nd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a monumental nod to his game-changing career.
If the name doesn’t already ring a bell, let’s jog your memory: Ali Ali is a creative powerhouse known for his iconic “Never Say No to Panda” campaign, which won a Cannes Gold Lion and garnered over 90 million YouTube views. His creative genius extends to filmmaking, with his debut short film Smokey Eyes, featuring Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa, premiering at the 2023 Red Sea Film Festival.
The Cannes 2025 festival is undergoing a revitalization. Notably, the Social & Influencer Lions category is being renamed to the Social & Creator Lions, in recognition of the significant impact of the creator economy. Additionally, the Glass: The Lion for Change category will now advocate for equity for a broader range of diverse communities. Beyond these adjustments, Cannes 2025 will also achieve a historic milestone with the appointment of its first female jury president.
Mai Salama, the force behind the Creative Industry Summit and Cannes Lions Egypt Office, summed it up perfectly: “Ali Ali’s appointment is proof that Egypt’s creativity speaks a global language. This is a win for our industry and a proud moment for us all.”
The countdown to Cannes is on. From June 16 to 20, the French Riviera will play host to the boldest ideas shaping the future of creativity. Got what it takes to shine? Submissions are open until April 10, 2025. Dive into the details at canneslions.com.