Saudi Arabia and the UAE emerged as the Middle East’s leading markets at the 2026 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, with Aramco named Client of the Year and UAE-based People receiving the Production Company of the Year title.
The 17th edition of the awards concluded this week in Cannes, France, with 182 entries receiving Dolphin Trophies. Aramco and People were among the winners of four Specialty Awards presented at this year’s festival.
Aramco’s Client of the Year title was supported by eight honours across its entries. These included a Gold Dolphin for “Cleaner Energy Access” and Silver Dolphins for “Dhahran Lakes,” “Saudi Founding Day 2026” and “Wild ABHA.” The company also received craft honours for Best Production Design, Best Music and Best Cinematography.
Saudi Arabia recorded further wins through PepsiCo, which secured Gold and Silver Dolphins for “The Original Lay’s Chili Is Back,” produced by 80s Creative. The Misk Foundation also won a Silver Dolphin for “Built by Arms,” produced by NOB Marketing Solutions.
People’s Production Company of the Year recognition reflected work for several UAE-based clients. The production company won Gold for the National Projects Office’s “Naseej – Infinite Possibility.”
It also secured a Gold Dolphin and a Black Dolphin for Best Directing for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’s “Feeding Hope – Chef Aline’s Story.” Three additional Silver Dolphins followed for the same client for “A Year of Impact,” “Path to Peace” and “Teaching Hope in Afghanistan: Zarqa’s Story.”
Mubadala Investment Company was another UAE winner, taking a Gold Dolphin in the Sports, Entertainment and Sponsorship category for “When Wind Meets Limits.”
Qatar and Iraq also featured among the Middle East winners. Al Jazeera Arabic Channel received a Silver Dolphin for “Gaza – War on Education,” while Rudaw Media Network won a Silver Dolphin for “Unfinished Stories: Future of Hezbollah.”
The Middle Eastern winners were part of a wider international field that included global brands and organisations such as Audi, Tiffany & Co., McDonald’s and Deloitte.
Entries were evaluated by an international jury comprising experts from 33 countries, representing advertising, film, television, production, marketing and corporate communication.
The Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, founded by Filmservice International in 2010, annually recognise corporate films, online productions, documentaries and reports. The competition is held in Cannes, one of the world’s major centres for film and advertising production.
The complete list of 2026 winners is available on the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards website.
