Glory for Australia as The Monkeys + Revolver take out coveted Cannes Film Lions Grand Prix for Sydney Opera House ‘Play It Safe’
What a way to finish Cannes Lions 2024! Australia’s The Monkeys + Revolver have taken out the coveted Film Lions Grand Prix, celebrating the creativity of the moving image, at the final night of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. The achievement comes off the back of the agency winning the Dan Wieden Titanium Lions Grand Prix in 2023.
The agency and production company have won the Grand Prix for Sydney Opera House ‘Play it Safe’, created in conjunction with ARC EDIT, MassiveMusic and Turning Studios.
The campaign also scored a Bronze Lion in the category.
Since 1973, the Sydney Opera House has stood as a monument to the power of brave, crazy, beautiful ideas. So, to mark its 50th anniversary, The Monkeys created an original song that celebrated the House’s creative spirit and reminded Australia that the best things only happen when you refuse to play it safe. Collaborating with two iconic and fearless Australian talents, songwriter and satirist Tim Minchin and director Kim Gehrig as well as a host of the House’s resident companies and performers, “Play it Safe” is a visual and musical love letter to ignoring the rules.
Film Lions Jury President Tor Myhren described ‘Play It Safe’ as “a celebration of the creative spirit, of brave ideas and taking huge risks in the face of critics and controversy and cultural norms. Quite simply, it’s the best film of the year and makes you proud to be in this industry.”
Says Tara Ford, chief creative officer, growth markets (APAC + LATAM), Accenture Song: “This work is a rambunctious reminder to be creatively brave (just like the Opera House itself) and not ‘Play It Safe’. So, for this work to take out the Cannes film Grand Prix is so gratifying. It’s not an exaggeration to say this is a dream come true. So many amazing people were involved, thanks to all their grit and talent we pulled it off. Special shout out goes to the wonderful Tim Minchin and Kim Gehrig. Here’s to creativity and its enduring power to move and motivate each and every one of us.”
Says Mark Green, lead – Australia & New Zealand, Accenture Song: “We really are thrilled to be recognised on the world stage for work promoting the iconic Sydney Opera House. So many people devoted their talents to making this happen and Tim Minchin and Kim Gehrig delivered the magic. Our client also went on a journey that wasn’t for the faint-hearted. A shout out to Jade McKellar, Stephen O’Connor, Joanne Been and of course Susan Coghill from Tourism Australia. The team at Revolver also sweated this from beginning to end and that’s what makes Michael Ritchie and Pip Smart the best in the business. A final shout out to the team at The Monkeys, what an achievement!”
Says Neil Heymann, global chief creative officer, Accenture Song: “We couldn’t be more delighted to see The Monkeys team and Accenture Song and our partners acknowledged in this way. The piece is an ever-necessary reminder of the power of creative ambition and sailing in unchartered waters. And a beautifully written, artfully visualised reminder at that. Makes me proud to work at Song, proud to be a creative and proud to be an Aussie expat.”
The Film Lions received 1887 entries and awarded 53 Lions: nine Gold, 16 Silver and 26 Bronze. The Jury chose to award two Grands Prix. The second Grand Prix went to ‘WoMen’s Football’ for Orange by Marcel, Paris, France.