The Cannes Lions screening is back for the first time in two years
By: Olivier La Roche
After a two-year hiatus, the Cannes Lions screening returns to the Winnipeg Art Gallery on Nov. 22, 2022. The Advertising Association of Winnipeg (AAW) is inviting Red River College Polytechnic students to attend.
The Cannes Lions screening celebrates the highest level of creativity in communications and advertising each year. At this event, they present and celebrate winners from around the world.
Emily Chandler, a Creative Communications graduate from RRC Polytech and current member of the AAW board, said the screening is a networking opportunity for students.
“The Cannes Lions screening is a great opportunity to see the world’s best advertising,” said Chandler. “You get to connect with Manitoba’s top advertising professionals.”
She said the screening left her and her fellow students feeling inspired.
“I remember me and my classmates felt a surge of creativity and motivation to one day reach that level in advertising.”
The upcoming screening is one of the countless networking opportunities that disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drew Jensen, a 2022 Creative Communications graduate, has attended both in-person and online classes and was able to compare both experiences.
“It’s harder online because you’re not directly next to somebody. When you’re in person, there’s a way more genuine, authentic connection with that person.”
Jensen said networking with industry professionals was crucial during his time in Creative Communications.
“It’s really, really important to make connections with those people, even just introducing yourself and following them on social media.”
Carter Gaudes, a second-year Business Administration student at RRC Polytech, said connecting with others in person can be challenging.
“It’s so easy to send an email, but in person it takes a lot more effort, more confidence to go up to someone and introduce yourself.”
He said the in-person connections made this year were more meaningful and rewarding than those made online in his first year at RRC Polytech.
“Last year, it was so much less memorable,” he said. “You can remember a face more than you can remember a text.”
Chandler said students should not hesitate to introduce themselves in order to expand their network.
“Being outgoing can be scary, but the reward of making a new connection is totally worth it,” she said.
The Cannes Lions preview screening will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2022. Student tickets are $15 each.
