Tomorrow marks the start of the 23rd edition of the Golden Drum International Festival. Over the next few days, Ljubljana Castle will host communication and advertising experts from around the world. 1,215 creative entries from 26 countries will compete for Golden Drum awards. More than 40 globally renowned experts in advertising and the creative industry, including the exceptional Cindy Gallop, will take the stage to share their knowledge and experience.
The four-day festival program offers a wide range of events and side activities. On Friday, October 21, the awards ceremony and Golden Drum prize distribution will take place.
“With a new location, refreshed branding, and an updated program, the festival has sent a clear signal: it is transforming from a purely advertising-focused event into a festival of the broader creative industry,” said Mojca Briščik, Director General of the Golden Drum Festival and the Slovenian Advertising Association.
Program and speakers at the festival
Among the over 40 speakers at the festival, delegates will also have the opportunity to hear from Dušan Drakalski — the newest member of the Golden Drum Gallery of Fame — as well as jury chairs of both the Best Piece and Best Practice sections, Graham Lang and Eduardo Marques. The main guest of the festival, however, will be Cindy Gallop. Her talk, ‘How to change the world through advertising,’ will take place on Wednesday, October 19, at 4:30 PM at the Grand Hotel Union.
Festival opening and side events
The festival will begin tomorrow at 2:00 PM at Ljubljana Castle with a presentation of submitted works. In the evening, the welcome event — Drum Roll — will take place. During the festival, there will also be numerous side events. The announcement of results and the awards ceremony will occur on Friday, October 21, at Ljubljansko razstavišče — the Ljubljana Conference Center. The festival will officially conclude with the Friday evening event “Explosion Party,” featuring Serbian DJ and producer Gramophonedzie.
Summary
The 23rd edition of the Golden Drum International Festival begins at Ljubljana Castle, where 1,215 entries from 26 countries will compete for awards. The program features over 40 speakers, including Cindy Gallop, new member of the Golden Drum Gallery of Fame Dušan Drakalski, and jury chairs Graham Lang and Eduardo Marques. Results will be announced on Friday, October 21, and the festival will end with the Explosion Party, featuring Serbian DJ Gramophonedzie.
As emphasized by festival director Mojca Briščik, the new location and refreshed image signal the festival’s evolution from a strictly advertising-focused event to one encompassing the broader creative industry.
