ADFEST 2026: THE FUTURE IS HUMAN+
ADFEST 2026 returns to Pattaya from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st March 2026 at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), Royal Cliff Hotels Group, under the powerful theme Human+.
ADFEST 2026 “Human+”
At a time of accelerating change, the spotlight often shines on technology, platforms and increasingly complex systems. The focus at ADFEST 2026 is founded on a clear conviction: true, enduring value lies not only in these tools, but in how people are empowered by them.
Human+ calls for a people-first approach — one that amplifies the essential human qualities of creativity, curiosity, culture, empathy, resilience and compassion. The “+” represents the powerful forces and energy that elevate humanity. It is a framework for expanding human capacity, meaning and impact. At its heart, creativity ensures that as the world evolves rapidly, humanity remains at the epicentre of progress.
Vinit Suraphongchai, Chairman of ADFEST, states, “Human+ perfectly reflects the spirit of ADFEST. At its core, ADFEST has always been about people — the human connections, human insights and human creativity that drive our industry forward. Even as we embrace AI and technological advancement, genuine inspiration and collaboration can only happen when humanity remains at the centre.”
This year’s ADFEST theme, Human+ has been brought to life in an animated film, created and produced by GEEK PICTURES, in partnership with The Post Haus and Primary Color Music. The striking film underlines ADFEST’s undertaking to re-examine how technology can expand creativity and enrich lives in a positive way.
Over 770 delegates from 56 cities are expected to gather at PEACH to exchange ideas, challenge conventions and inspire the next wave of creative breakthroughs.
ADFEST 2026 will feature 61 world-class speakers from 20 countries, who will present 27 sessions, 7 interactive workshops and mentorship programs. The event also hosts the Production Hut and Craft Hub as well as exclusive networking events. This year’s festival will also showcase immersive exhibitions and film screenings of all Lotus Award entries, culminating in two prestigious awards ceremonies on 20th and 21st March 2026. These ceremonies will unveil the winners of the ADFEST Lotus Awards, Young Lotus Workshop, and the celebrated Fabulous Five New Directors.
ADFEST LOTUS AWARDS AND GRAND JURY PRESIDENT
ADFEST is honoured to announce Yasuharu Sasaki, Global Chief Creative Officer of dentsu, Tokyo, as Grand Jury President for ADFEST 2026.
Yasuharu Sasaki, known as Yasu, began working at dentsu as a copywriter in 1995. Drawing on his skills as a Computer Science graduate he was an early pioneer of interactive advertising. His passion for creativity and technology has been a marked characteristic throughout his career, notably when he founded the cutting-edge R&D offering, Dentsu Lab Tokyo in 2014. His time at dentsu has included working in New York as an Executive Creative Director and Managing Director at dentsu Tokyo and has seen Yasu deliver work for global clients including Uniqlo, Honda and Coca-Cola.
As well as receiving the highest recognition at all major international award shows, Yasu has sat on numerous juries, including Cannes Lions Brand Experience & Activation Jury President in 2022, Head of Jury at the 2023 APAC Effies, and Titanium Lions Jury in 2024.
In October 2023 Yasu was named dentsu’s Global Chief Creative Officer, responsible for leading dentsu’s global Creative Practice, including Dentsu Creative. He sets the standard for creative excellence and is key to building a culture of creativity and innovation across the whole of dentsu’s global network.
Joining him at ADFEST 2026 Human+ are 56 jurors from 17 cities, led by 7 Jury Presidents overseeing 21 Lotus Award categories. A new Special Award, Independent Network of the Year, will debut this year.
ADFEST has received over 1400 entries for the 2026 Lotus Awards. Winners will be announced at PEACH on 20 and 21 March.
ADFEST APP AND CONNECT
The ADFEST App is the ultimate guide to navigating the festival, featuring a complete program lineup, all the latest news, photos and videos, real-time notifications, plus access to ADFEST Connect.
Delegates can scan QR codes in various places at PEACH to download ADFEST App and view all speakers and juries, finalists and winners’ announcements and read the latest news on the Daily Buzz – all at their fingertips.
ADFEST Connect is available to all registered delegates of ADFEST 2026. It allows anyone who registers to search for other delegates by name, company, city or country and send them an email to connect or see if they’d like to meet up.
ADFEST is a not-for profit entity that believes passionately in its role to nurture and support the creative industry in the Asia Pacific and MENA region. It is 1 of only 7 regional creative festivals included in the WARC Creative 100 Rankings, 1 of 12 awards included in the Campaign Brief Asia Rankings, and 1 of 22 awards included in The Drum World Creative Rankings.
Follow all the latest news and events via #ADFEST2026 #HumanPlus on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@adfestofficial). To view the full program, visit www.ADFEST.com
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