The Young Lions Croatia competition is celebrating its 10th edition this year and will take place live on 21–22 February 2026 in Zagreb. Once again, Young Lions gives professionals up to 30 years old the opportunity to compete for the title of the best young creatives in Croatia and to represent the Croatian creative industry at the global Cannes Young Lions competition. To ensure that the highest-quality entries are recognized across all categories, this year’s jury once again brings together experts from diverse fields of the communications industry.
The president of this year’s jury is Marko Šesnić (Šesnić&Turković), joined by Ružica Ilak (Pragma komunikacije), Krešimir Macan (Manjgura), Mario Frančešević (SeekandHit), Marko Jambrešić (dentsu), Ivo Payer (Publicis), Irena Šarić Dombaj (L’Oreal), Vanja Prahić (Croatia osiguranje), Ljiljana Ivošević (OMD) and Hrvoje Pilić (Ahelon). The jury will also include a secret member — a client representative — whom participants will meet at the start of the competition.
Young Lions Croatia leads participants ready for a lion-worthy challenge straight into the creative wilderness, from which teams of two must emerge with an original solution for the client in just 24 hours. Cut off from the outside world and based at the Zagreb Innovation Centre (ZICER), they get the chance to unleash their creative energy without limits and prove why they belong among the leaders of the communications jungle. Throughout the process they are supported by Shutterstock, which opens access to its extensive content library. Creatives up to the age of 30 can compete in six categories: Design powered by Igepa Plana, Digital, Marketers, Media, Print, and PR, choosing the one in which they can best display their lion-like strength.
YOUNG LIONS: THE HUNT BEGINS
The hunt officially begins on 5 February at Botaničar, at the event The Hunt Begins, where future competitors will learn how to navigate the 24-hour creative challenge, what the jury is actually looking for, and what the Young Lions experience at Cannes is like. Attendance must be confirmed by 2 February at info@danikomunikacija.com.
If you’re ready for a challenge that can transform your career and bring you an unforgettable experience, apply with your creative partner by 13 February 2026.
