D&AD Festival 19–20 May 2026

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The D&AD Festival brings together the global creative community for a programme centred around this year’s theme: is creativity dead or alive?

Peek behind the judges’ curtain in our Insight Sessions, roll up your sleeves in hands-on Learning Labs, and soak up wisdom from visionary keynote speakers in the President’s Lectures. Then, celebrate the best of the best at the Yellow Pencil Showcase — see who won, and discover why. Endless inspiration.

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D&AD Festival returns, 19–20 May 2026, bringing together the ideas, people and perspectives shaping what’s next.

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Download the programme and plan your D&AD Festival

Drop in for an hour — or stay all day — and step inside the world of creativity.

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Be part of what’s next

Hear from heroes, access creative minds, and get inspired by winning work

D&AD Festival audience intently watching a live talk in a large auditorium

How to take on the robots or start a cult brand – dissect industry trends with those who set them.

From keynote speakers and AI accelerators to judge-led Insight Sessions and the Yellow Pencil Showcase, the Festival offers a front-row seat to the work, ideas and conversations shaping creativity today.

Suited D&AD Festival speakers on stage in front of large digital screen

Discover what it takes to win in your category and what sets a Black Pencil apart.

Hear fresh perspectives straight from the jury rooms, gain practical tools to elevate your practice, and connect with peers from near and far.

D&AD Festival attendees in conversation stood outside on a sunny day with London skyline in the background

New faces, old hands, your next muse…meet everyone you need to know.

Networking opportunities are included with all ticket types, creating space to meet, exchange ideas and build lasting connections throughout the week.

Dead or Alive? Your move.

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Featured speakers

Meet some of those putting creativity on the line

Woman smiling

NOVA DANDO

Global Creative Director

TikTok

Creator Content Jury 2026

Person posing

Bunny Kinney

Global Executive Creative Director

Dazed

Luxury Jury 2026

Woman smiling

Zeynep Akay

Creative Director

Dalton Maag

D&AD Festival 2026 — Jury Insights

Man posing

Mukund Olety

Chief Creative Officer

VML/WPP

D&AD Festival 2026 — Jury Insights

2026 judge headshot

Juan Jose Posada

Partner & Chief Creative Officer

( anónimo )

D&AD Festival 2026 — Jury Insights

Insights

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Johannes Leonardo’s CCO explains how he reimagined “Drivers wanted’ for a new generation

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“I draw people sitting next to me on the London underground” – D&AD’s Illustration Jury President Noma Bar on where he finds inspiration

"The Handmaid's Tale" illustrator explains how he found his distinctive style

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There’s been a huge shift in branding - Cat How, D&AD’s New Brand Identity Jury President for 2026, gives three propositions to explain the reasons why

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“We’re living through one of the most thrilling creative shifts since the dawn of digital” – Brand Identity Refresh Jury President Teemu Suviala

Landor’s Global Chief Creative Officer on why he thinks creativity is just getting started and what you can do to spark yours

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“Creativity thrives where people are given a chance to be seen and heard” – Casting Jury President Claire Catterson

The Channel 4 Idents Casting Director on why keeping creativity alive and thriving means fostering diversity and inclusion

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Snap’s Resh Sidhu on how the creative frontier has shifted

If you only search for creativity in familiar places, you might miss it – so where should you be looking for it now?

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“They’ll be bored of the slop soon enough” – Writing for Design Jury President Holly Kielty

Writer and creative strategist Holly Kielty explains why we should view creativity as an instinctive behaviour rather than just a result

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The Glue Society’s Jonathan Kneebone explores creativity in films Goldfinger and Once Upon a Time in the West

Jonathan Kneebone on one of the earliest Black Pencils in D&AD’s history

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Matt Murphy, 72andSunny’s Global CCO, shares a practical daily routine to inspire creativity

If you do this regularly, creativity won’t just survive - it’ll evolve and flourish, and you will too

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