Cannes Lions Case Study
In 2024, Cannes Lions laid the foundation for communication access with sign language interpretation on main stages. By 2025, that commitment expanded to include CART captioning in four languages, along with enhanced visibility through QR codes for easy access to live captions.
Table of Contents
- Onsite Sign Language Interpreting Services: Coverage included all requested sessions on the main stages as well as ad-hoc and networking requests.
- Onsite Coordination: Managed scheduling, supported interpreters, and served as a direct point of contact for Deaf attendees.
- Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) captioning (2025): Real-time captioning provided for all sessions in four languages, along with enhanced visibility through QR codes for easy access to live captions.
2024
- Accessibility Desk: A dedicated desk in the registration area created a welcoming first touchpoint where attendees could ask questions and learn about available services.
- Direct Consumer Support: Deaf attendees could request interpreters for ad-hoc sessions beyond the main stages.
- Strong Collaboration: Interpreters were strategically placed, and well-briefed stage managers helped ensure smooth delivery across sessions.
2025
- Expanded Access: 31 sessions were fully accessible with both ASL interpreting and CART captioning services.
- QR Code Engagement: Clearly displaying QR codes significantly boosted access to live captions, with the highest number of scans occurring on Tuesday when the code was consistently shown before each captioned session (see page 4).
- Growth in Deaf Attendance: More Deaf consumers participated in 2025, reflecting growing trust and engagement in access services.
![[ID: An outdoor stage with a large projected screen. The speaker stands on the main platform, while an ASL interpreter is visible on a smaller platform to the right.]](https://inclusiveasl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cannes-Lions-ASL-Terrace-Stage-Great-Pic-Day-1-1024x768.webp "Cannes Lions Case Study 3")
“Having one coordinator as our main point of contact made everything so much easier. Communication was clear, updates were quick, and we always knew who to go to. It kept the whole week running smoothly.”
Interpreting Services
How it works: Interpreters listen to speakers and presenters in real time and interpret the spoken content into signed language. During workshops and networking, interpreters also voice for Deaf attendees, ensuring full participation in discussions, Q&A, and relationship-building moments.
2024
Service statistics and coverage: A team of 9 sign language interpreters provided general access on 2 main stages as well as ad hoc session requests.
Attendance Notes: Services support all Deaf and hard of hearing attendees with 1 Deaf participant requested services at ad-hoc sessions.
2025
Service statistics and coverage: A team of 14 sign language interpreters provided general access on 4 main stages as well as ad hoc session requests and networking support.
Attendance Notes: Services support all Deaf and hard of hearing attendees with 3 Deaf participants requesting daily networking support (9am to 5pm)
“The coolest and most underrated part of Cannes Lions 2025 was the equity. I was part of the networking ASL team and got to see Deaf influencers just… live the experience. Grab a drink on the Terrace, pop into a session for 10 minutes, decide if they wanted to stay or head to the next thing, all without disrupting the ASL stage teams. It’s the kind of freedom hearing people don’t have to think about. Providing the Deaf community the same experience was everything.”
[ID: The image shows a printed poster inviting attendees to scan a QR code to access live captions, with instructions to click the button for their session’s location. The third image displays the landing page linked to the QR code, featuring a brief introduction and a list of buttons for each theater or stage hosting workshops.]
CART Services
How it works: Attendees access live captions on their personal devices with Wi-Fi:
- Scan a QR code.
- Open a branded landing page and choose their stage
- Captions appear instantly in a web browser.
Service statistics: 6 remote captioners provided of coverage across 8 main stages, with captions available in 4 languages.
Attendance Notes: Captions benefit everyone from hard of hearing attendees to multilingual participants, visual learners, and anyone navigating noisy or overstimulating spaces. These benefits can be seen in the data captures, showing “Scan for Live Captioning” QR code received 1,901 unique scans.
[ID: The image is a line graph titled CART QR Scans 2025 displays a total of 1,901 scans. The y-axis shows the number of QR scans, while the x-axis lists days of the week (Mon–Fri). The highest number of scans occurred on Tuesday, when the QR code was consistently projected before each captioned session.]
“Aitana’s (CART captioning manager) communication skills are wonderful as she kept in touch with the CART providers and responded to questions promptly. She organized schedules and helped with technical/audio issues. This took her quick-thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve. Aitana is great to work with!”
- Accessible Festival Experience: Deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees had access to both sign language interpretation and CART captioning. This approach supported diverse communication preferences and ensured inclusive access across sessions.
- Deaf Interpreter Expertise: Including Deaf Interpreters within the provider team enhanced communication clarity and cultural nuance. This elevates the quality of access for Deaf attendees and strengthens connections within the community.
- Participation Without Limits: Access was not limited to the main stages. Attendees could choose how they wanted to engage, whether attending ad-hoc sessions or focusing on networking events. This flexible model respected individual preferences.
- Flexible On-site Coordination: A dedicated on-site coordinator was essential for managing service delivery at a large, week-long conference. Real-time scheduling updates, clear communication with staff, and proactive problem-solving ensured consistent access throughout the event.
- Inclusive Industry Branding & Leadership: By prioritizing high-quality communication access across formats and environments, Cannes Lions strengthened its reputation as an inclusive, innovative leader in the global conference space.
Benefits and Challenges
Challenges are a natural part of the learning curve. Issues that emerged and the practical solutions recommended for continued improvement are detailed below.
Scheduling:
- Challenge – Large interpreter team tours on Monday added stress to an already tight timeline.
- Solution – Schedule a paid two-hour window on Sunday for the ICS team to tour the venue, meet stage managers, and pick up badges in advance. This will ensure a smoother Monday.
Registration:
- Challenge – An email sent by the Cannes Lions team to an interested Deaf attendee was unintentionally worded in a way that discouraged participation.
- Solution – To prevent miscommunication, ICS recommends a memo or response template for staff, outlining clear, welcoming language when responding to ASL or CART inquiries.
Lighting:
- Challenge – Lighting shifts during video playback caused interpreters to go dark, leaving audiences without access to spoken content (see images below). Additionally, captions were not projected on-screen during video segments, further limiting accessibility.
- Solution – ICS strongly recommends that all session videos be pre-captioned in advance. Alternatively, coordinators should work closely with the Audio/Visual (AV) team to ensure interpreters remain visibly lit during video playback, maintaining consistent visual access.
When the Lights Dim, Access Fades
[ID: The first image shows an interpreter standing stage left, clearly visible and well-lit. In the second image, the lights have dimmed, and without a dedicated spotlight, the interpreter is in shadow, no longer visible to the audience.]
Recommendation: Provide CART captioning to support hard-of-hearing and non-signing attendees.
Service Improvement: CART captioning added in four languages.
Recommendation: Expand the interpreting provider team to ensure sufficient coverage.
Service Improvement: Two additional stages were made accessible by expanding the interpreting team.
Service Improvement: While primarily requested for ASL, the interpreting team was purposefully selected to include providers fluent in IS (International Sign), BSL (British Sign Language), KSL (Korean Sign Language), and trilingual ASL-Spanish to meet potential language needs.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The recommendations below reflect the accessibility journey, showing how organizations can build inclusion step by step. Starting small and growing each year builds a more inclusive future.
Service: Add CART captioning for evening award ceremonies to reinforce the festival’s message of accessibility, especially when honoring advocates like Marlee Matlin.
Best Practice: Ensure all video and media content includes captions.
Best Practice: Clearly advertise accessibility assets (ASL, CART, etc.) during the application process to welcome and inform potential attendees.
Bonus: Partner with ICS during the application period to spotlight accessibility and inclusion in event promotions and outreach efforts.
“Watching Deaf attendees connect, learn, participate, and share their stories with major brands was the heart of my Cannes Lions experience. Providing access is important, but seeing those spaces filled with the people who use the services is where my passion as an interpreter really comes alive.”
Testimonials
“My experience at Cannes Lions has reminded me of one big truth: Genuine conversations can take you far. Outside of the bathroom (yup, not the most glamorous spot), someone randomly bumped into me and my team. That quick “hey” turned into a convo about sign language, and it turns out that person had info on a diversity creator program that fits perfectly with what we’re building at my agency. We connected instantly but not just because of some pitch, but because it was real.
What also blew me away? The accessibility. I was able to request interpreters when I needed them, and CART was available to read what speakers were saying on stage. That kind of support makes a huge difference. I didn’t have to fight for access and it was just there.
A huge thank you to Inclusive Communication Services for making sure both my team and I and others who needed access had interpreters and Deaf interpreters who really cared.”
~ Patrick McCullen from Inclusify Studios, 2025
“Before Cannes Lions, I had never attended a conference. I always thought, what’s the point? If I can’t understand the speaker or communicate easily with others, it’s just a frustrating, inaccessible experience.
So when my first interpreted conference turned out to be a full week in France, I was nervous! But it ended up being unforgettable. I appreciated the access on the main stages for the big-name speakers, yet what truly inspired me were the smaller, ad-hoc sessions featuring lesser-known brands doing powerful work in their communities. The underdogs. As a Deaf professional, those stories hit home.
When Inclusive Communication Services said, build your schedule, send it to us, and we’ll make it happen, I did, and they delivered. I’m so grateful.”
~ Rebecca Hull from Woodstove Studio, 2024
[ID: A series of three images featuring Inclusify Studios. The first and third images show Patrick watching the ASL interpreter while networking at the festival. The middle image is a group photo of Patrick, his team, and the ASL interpreter team. The final image shows Rebecca standing in front of a Cannes Lions neon-lit “2024” display, holding up the ILY hand sign.]
“As a Deaf interpreter, I had an incredible experience at Cannes Lions. ICS really shows up for the Deaf community, they advocate, they listen, and they value my feedback. Everything was explained well, I knew what to expect, and I felt confident going into my assignments to provide quality access.”
Conclusion
“Accessibility is an essential part of inclusion, and Inclusive Communication Services delivered it with excellence at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France. Their ASL interpreting, CART captioning, and service coordination teams supported our conference stages, networking spaces, and last-minute changes with calm professionalism and deep care. That’s what true inclusion feels like.”
We deeply value our partnership and commend Cannes Lions for leading the way in creating accessible spaces for all creatives. Here’s to continued growth in 2026 and may other conferences be inspired to follow in your mighty roar.
Email ICS at info@inclusiveasl.com to explore how we can help make your next conference or event fully accessible. Prefer a quick conversation? Scan the QR code to schedule a meet & greet with our team so we can learn more about your goals, timeline, and the support you need.