It’s that time of year again. Black Out 2025 Applications are now live. 🏴 Year 4. Let’s go.
💻 Calling the Black community across the creative, media, tech, and related industries to apply for this year’s experience at the Cannes Lions Festival.
🛫Created and led by Cephas Williams @CephasWilliamss - Over the past 4 years we have taken over 100 people from the Black community to the Cannes Lions Festival and it has been a blessing to witness the growth of our presence at the festival, the growth of our community and the growth of our collective position across the industry at large.
🎟️This year you can apply for a funded trip under the ‘Immersive Experience’ or an access only trip if you will be at the festival already under our ‘Access Experience’. (More information on our website and the application form)
🌍This is about access, representation and building community in a space where we’ve historically been underrepresented; not just being seen, but being part of shaping the future of the global creative economy
✍🏾 Apply via the link in our bio or visit /blackout
Deadline is 19th May 11:59PM BST
🫶🏽 If you’re Black and connected to the creative industries in any way, or know someone who should see this, please tag them below or send this their way. Let’s make sure this opportunity reaches our people.
🖤This is about more than just attendance, this is about building community, legacy and creating systemic change. It’s about changing the narrative and creating access in spaces that have traditionally not included us effectively.
Together, we’re building something powerful. Together, we are stronger. ✊🏾
The Black Network
#BlackOut2025 #TheBlackNetwork #CannesLions #RepresentationMatters #IndustryChange
We’re back at Cannes Lions for #BlackOut2025 🏴 and it’s all about community. We’ve seen the growth of our community at the festival across the years and as part of our process this year you can apply for the Access Experience if you’ll be out there already.
Watch our announcement video for context on how you can apply this year and the work we’ve done across the past 4 years.
Apply now for a funded trip (Immersive Experience) or Access Experience if you’re already attending and your flight and accommodation is sorted.
Deadline: May 19, 11:59PM BST
Link in bio or visit: theblacknetwork.com/blackout
This isn’t just about being seen, it’s about shaping the future.
#TheBlackNetwork #CannesLions #IndustryChange
On Day 1 I had my most wholesome moment at the festival so far. In moments like this, I am reminded why I do the work I do and what it means to my people.
Last year Thomas was 1 of the people I brought out, this year he came back with his family. I’ve seen so many people I’ve brought out return over the years, get work opportunities both at the festival and beyond, speaking opportunities and more and it’s honestly a blessing.
Seeing a few of you across the strip yesterday has also been a blessing, thank you for the love, all I ask is that you understand your strength, our collective strength and pay it forward.
I started doing what I do at the festival so that more of us would be out here, adding value and being part of that economic ecosystem. It’s a blessing to walk across the beach and see so many of us.
It’s a props blessing, but we have a long way to go.
@theblacknetworkgroup / Together We Are Stronger
🚨Community Call-Out: 🚨Join Us This Saturday for a Powerful Campaign on Black Blood Donation
We’re excited to announce a special photoshoot happening this Saturday, 31st May, aimed at highlighting the importance of Black blood donation.
This powerful new campaign is created and led by @Cephaswilliamss , and we’re calling on our community to be part of it.
Whether:
- You live with sickle cell
- You’ve given birth
- You’ve needed a blood transfusion or connected to someone who has
- You or someone you know has had cancer or connected to someone who has
- Or you simply want to stand in solidarity
Blood donation is important and this campaign is about raising awareness, saving lives, and bringing our community together.
We welcome everyone, even if you’ve never given blood before but want to support the cause.
Following the legacy of campaigns like #56BlackMen and @PortraitOfBlackBritain , this will be something unique, rooted in purpose, representation, and real impact.
📍 The Photoshoot takes place this Saturday, 31st May
🕘 Slots available from 9am into the afternoon
If you’re interested and available, please respond to the poll in our story.
Let’s raise awareness. Let’s save lives.
Together We Are Stronger
“In 2019, I won the local Young Lions competition in Nigeria and was meant to represent the country at the global finals in Cannes. Unfortunately, my visa was denied, and I missed what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Going to Cannes with The Black Network years later was deeply emotional for me-it felt like life was giving me a second chance. It wasn’t just about finally making it to Cannes; it was about reclaiming a dream I had once let go of. I’m incredibly grateful to The Black Network and Cephas for making that possible.”
Precious Okorie
Join our community (link in bio)
Whether you’re applying for a funded ‘Immersive Experience’ or if you’re already attending and want to plug into our ‘Access Experience’, The Black Network is here working together as a community.
🚨Applications close tonight🚨
🚨1 Day Left 🚨 - Tomorrow Wednesday 21st May 11:59PM BST
Apply to join The Black Network in Cannes (link in bio)
Apply for our Immersive funded trip or our Access Experience if you’ll be out there already.
The Black Network🏴 / Together We Are Stronger #TheBlackNetwork / #BlackOut2025
🚨Less than 2 Days Left 🚨 - Tomorrow Wednesday 21st May 11:59PM BST
Apply to join The Black Network in Cannes (link in bio)
Apply for our Immersive funded trip or our Access Experience if you’ll be out there already.
The Black Network🏴 / Together We Are Stronger #TheBlackNetwork / #BlackOut2025
🚨Deadline Extension 🚨 - Wednesday 21st May 11:59PM BST
Apply to join The Black Network in Cannes (link in bio)
Apply for our Immersive funded trip or our Access Experience if you’ll be out there already.
The Black Network🏴 / Together We Are Stronger #TheBlackNetwork / #BlackOut2025
Apply to join The Black Network in Cannes (link in bio)
Apply for our Immersive funded trip or our Access Experience if you’ll be out there already.
The Black Network / Together We Are Stronger
(Image of The Black Network community in Cannes) #TheBlackNetwork / #BlackOut2025
2 more days left to apply for our immersive experience or access experience.
We’re showing up as a community and with intention. Whether you’re applying for a funded ‘Immersive Experience’ or if you’re already attending and want to plug into our ‘Access Experience’, The Black Network is here to working together as a community.
Both experiences offer more than access, they offer connection, community, and visibility in a space where we’ve historically been underrepresented.
If you’re Black and in the creative, media, tech or related industries, freelancing, running a business and more this is your invitation. Be part of something ground breaking.
Apply via the link in bio or visit theblacknetwork.com/blackout
#BlackOut2025 #TheBlackNetwork #RepresentationMatters #AccessAndEquity
