What’s new in 2026
The Golden Drum Festival continues to evolve, celebrating creativity that embodies authenticity, relevance and innovation. In 2026, we are expanding the All Juries section with a UNFPA Inclusion Excellence group, which is introduced by the Festival in collaboration with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.
This year, Golden Drum continues to strengthen its international partnerships by extending two established collaborations that support creative excellence and industry recognition. Our partnership with thenetworkone remains dedicated to supporting independent agencies that often face challenges in gaining global visibility. Through this collaboration, Grand Prix and Gold-winning works from independent agencies will once again automatically qualify for the Indie Awards, offering them an additional platform to showcase their creative excellence on the international stage.
At the same time, Golden Drum continues its collaboration with Little Black Book, ensuring that all Grand Prix-winning works receive direct entry into The Immortal Awards competition, further enhancing their visibility and recognition within the global creative industry.
Novelties presented by the festival:
I. COMPETITION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH UNFPA
The UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award, presented by Golden Drum in collaboration with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, aims to inspire and recognise creative work that actively contributes to gender equality and social inclusion.
UNFPA works globally to uphold the rights and choices of women and young people. By dismantling discrimination, challenging harmful norms, and removing systemic barriers, they help forge inclusive societies where everyone can reach their full potential. Their work ensures that individuals, especially women and young people, have access to the information and services they need for a healthy life, free from discrimination and violence. They help guarantee that everyone, throughout their life course, is empowered to make decisions about their bodies, health, and future.
These goals cannot be achieved without addressing the "invisible" barriers—the deep-seated social norms and biases that marginalize women, girls, and those left furthest behind, including historically marginalized communities, older persons, and people with disabilities.
The purpose of this award is to incentivize the creative community to use its immense influence to reshape social norms. Advertising plays an important role in defining what is "normal" in our culture. By rewarding work that challenges stereotypes and promotes gender equality and inclusion, Golden Drum and UNFPA aim to foster an environment where an individual’s rights and choices are not limited by their gender, background or identity. When the media we consume reflects the true diversity and potential of all people, it creates the cultural space necessary for real-world equality to take root. When this happens, everyone benefits: individuals enjoy greater opportunities to realize their full potential, and societies become stronger and more resilient.
The UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award honours creators whose work contributes to shaping a more just, inclusive and equitable future for all.
II. EXTENDING PARTNERSHIP WITH THENETWORK ONE, LITTLE BLACK BOOK & ADFORUM
STRENGTHENING THE INDIE COMMUNITY
Golden Drum continues its partnership with thenetworkone, strengthening its connection with the independent agency community. All independent agencies that win Golden Drum or Grand Prix awards at the festival will receive a complimentary entry into the Indie Awards 2027, allowing them to submit one piece of work into a category of their choice. Eligible works must be aired, launched, or released to the public for the first time between 30 September 2024 and 31 October 2025 and must not have previously been entered into any past Indie Awards.
PATHWAY TO THE IMMORTAL AWARDS
The festival is also extending its partnership with Little Black Book. As part of this collaboration, all Grand Prix-winning works from Golden Drum will be entered directly and free of charge into competition of The Immortal Awards. The eligibility period for The Immortal Awards runs from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025. The company with the winning entry will receive a complimentary membership to Little Black Book, providing entry to the Immortal Awards as well as the opportunity to take advantage of the full Little Black Book offer.
Golden Drum is also featured in the AdForum Business Creative Report, a unique ranking of the world’s most-awarded campaigns by industry sector.
III. INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS
The festival’s competition is recognized and included on the WARC Creative Rankings, The Drum World Creative Rankings and AdForum Business Creative Report, further affirming its global impact and prestige.
