Cape Town Gears Up to Host Africa and Middle East’s Creative Elite for Loeries Creative Week 2026

The continent’s most influential creative minds from Africa and the Middle East will converge in the vibrant City of Cape Town from 4 to 9 October for Loeries Creative Week 2026. This dynamic six-day programme unites creative professionals, brands, agencies, marketers, media experts, educators, and emerging talent from across the region.

More than just an awards event, Loeries Creative Week serves as a strategic hub for ideas, conversations, and collaborations that propel the creative industry forward. It offers a unique blend of recognising exceptional work with opportunities to learn from global thought leaders, discover emerging talent, and explore how creativity is evolving amidst shifting cultural, commercial, and technological landscapes.

The week will culminate in the prestigious Loerie Awards on 8 and 9 October 2026, honouring the most impactful creative campaigns and ideas from the region.

Returning to Cape Town once again, the city provides an inspiring backdrop for judging, learning, industry exchange, and celebration. With its thriving ecosystem of agencies, production houses, design studios, educational institutions, and cultural organisations, Cape Town offers delegates unparalleled access to one of Africa’s most vibrant creative economies.

Loeries Creative Week will feature a diverse programme of events, including the Loeries International Seminar of Creativity, where over a dozen international speakers will share insights and inspiration. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in MasterClasses, explore the Loeries Expo, and enjoy the highly anticipated Loeries Official Afterparty at Cabo Beach Club.

“Loeries Creative Week is constantly innovating and this year will provide another opportunity for the industry to not only experience a wide range of events but also access to the latest thinking on how to create breakthrough work,” said Loeries CEO, Preetesh Sewraj. “We will also be bringing some legends of the global communications industry to Cape Town, including Susan Credle, from the USA, and Dörte Spengler-Ahrens, from Germany.”

This year will see exciting updates to the Loeries award categories, reflecting the ongoing evolution of creative practice and the importance of recognising both the strategic thinking behind campaigns and the fresh talent shaping the industry’s future.

A new Creative Strategy category has been introduced to celebrate the ideas and strategic insights that underpin outstanding creative work. It aims to recognise the vital role of insight, problem-solving, and strategic direction in producing campaigns that resonate with audiences and deliver meaningful impact.

Additionally, the Young Directors Award, making its debut in 2026, offers a platform to recognise emerging film directors from across Africa and the Middle East. By spotlighting young filmmaking talent within the region’s premier creative awards, the category seeks to elevate new voices and create pathways into the broader industry.

The Audio & Radio categories have also expanded to include new subcategories, acknowledging the increasing diversity of audio applications across broadcasting, digital platforms, branded content, and emerging formats.

These updates underscore Loeries’ commitment not only to celebrating creative excellence but also to examining where the industry is heading and ensuring diverse voices are part of the conversation.

“The City of Cape Town is a truly global city which is why attendees from across Africa and the Middle East feel at home to celebrate their work, perspectives and talent during Loeries Creative Week,” said Leonora de Souza-Zilwa, Director of Film & Events for The City of Cape Town. “We are such proud hosts of The Loeries and look forward to welcoming everyone to The City in October.”