Jakarta, June 8, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency, in collaboration with Future Creative Network (FCN) and GCM Group, officially sent off Indonesia’s delegation to compete in the Young Lions Competition as part of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, to be held in Cannes, France, from June 22–26, 2026.
Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya, alongside Future Creative Network (FCN) and GCM Group, ceremonially bids farewell to Indonesia's delegation ahead of their participation in the Young Lions Competition at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026 in Cannes, France (June 22–26). The send-off took place at Wonderlab Senayan City, Jakarta, on Monday (8/6/2026).
This year, Indonesia will be represented by Kurnia Latif Maulani (Senior Copywriter) and Muhammad Daffa (Art Director) from ALVA Maleo. The duo emerged victorious over 86 finalists from across Indonesia through the rigorous Young Lions Indonesia selection process organized by GCM Group, the official Cannes Lions representative in Indonesia.
“When Nia (Kurnia) and Daffa step onto the Cannes stage, they will not only bring their work but also proof that Indonesian creativity belongs on the world map. This is the kind of representation we must continue to support,” said Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, at Wonderlab Senayan City, Jakarta, on Monday (June 8).
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Minister Teuku Riefky added that Indonesia is home to a growing number of creative talents capable of competing on the global stage. The Ministry’s presence, he emphasized, reflects the government’s commitment to positioning the creative economy as a new engine of national growth.
“They are truly deserving of the opportunity to compete on the global stage. And it is entirely possible that they will bring home one of those prestigious awards. One day, it will not be just two individuals representing Indonesia, but Team Indonesia,” he remarked.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The Young Lions Competition is a prestigious international contest for creative professionals under the age of 30. Participants are challenged to respond to real-world briefs within 24 hours and compete against top creative talents from around the world. Indonesia has participated in the festival since 2005, with national representation managed by GCM Group.
Muhammad Daffa is an Art Director with more than four years of experience in the advertising industry and a Gold Winner of Young Lions Indonesia 2026. Together with Kurnia Latif Maulani, a Senior Copywriter at ALVA Maleo with extensive experience in cross-category creative communications, they will bring Indonesian perspectives to the global creative stage.
“For us, this is an opportunity to demonstrate that ideas and perspectives born in Indonesia are capable of competing and contributing meaningfully to global conversations. Indonesia is rich with creative talent, stories, and unique viewpoints, and we are honored to be among those representing them,” said Kurnia Latif.
“I am even more excited to meet and exchange perspectives with creative talents from different countries, while also showing that ideas and viewpoints from Indonesia can be relevant and competitive on the global stage,” added Daffa.
During the send-off event, themed “Creative Dialogue: Indonesia Toward the Global Stage,” the Minister of Creative Economy symbolically signed the delegation’s jersey, echoing the tradition of sending national athletes to prestigious international competitions.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
The government remains committed to supporting Indonesian creative talents in reaching global markets through mentorship, inter-ministerial coordination, and ecosystem collaboration, including initiatives such as Citra Pariwara.
The Minister was accompanied at the event by Deputy for Media Creativity Cecep Rukendi; Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Affairs Rian Syaf; Head of Bureau for Communications Kiagoos Irvan Faisal; Director for Advertising Andy Ruswar; and Ministerial Advisor for Strategic and Inter-Institutional Affairs Gemintang K. Mallarangeng.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
