The road to France just got a lot shorter for 25 talented duos. National CineMedia (NCM) officially announced the finalists for the 2026 US Young Lions competition on Monday, March 23. These rising stars from the advertising and marketing worlds are now one step closer to representing Team USA on the global stage this summer.

The competition features the brightest young professionals competing across five distinct categories: Digital, Film, Media, PR, and Print. As the official U.S. Representative for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, NCM is responsible for identifying the top talent capable of competing against the best creative minds from around the world.

Each finalist team was selected based on their ability to deliver high-impact creative solutions under pressure. The winners from this group will receive a trip to Cannes, France, to participate in the global Young Lions competition. This annual search remains a cornerstone for National CineMedia as it continues to highlight innovation within the advertising and communications industries.