In a contest to win a place in another contest and where no foreigners were allowed to enter, Singaporeans have come out tops.

The winners for this year's first-ever foreigner-free competition, who will get to represent Singapore in the Young Lions creative contest in Cannes this June, have been revealed, as Mumbrella reports.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is also known as the world's biggest ad festival.

Deciding who represents Singapore's entries for the Young Lions competition is MediaCorp.

And in a somewhat drastic move, MediaCorp decided to shut out submissions from foreigners this year, saying the decision was in line with a government directive to "strengthen the core of Singaporean talents in key sectors".

Only submissions from Singaporeans and permanent residents were entertained.

However, the Young Lions competition does not specifically require a Singaporean to represent Singapore.

This decision to open the competition to locals only was to the chagrin of DDB Singapore chairman and CEO David Tang, who was among those who spoke out against MediaCorp's new no-foreign talent competition rules.

Tang reportedly said: "I think it’s the inevitable destiny of Singaporeans to plug into the world and compete on the world stage. I think our Young Lions should compete with young foreign talent here in Singapore. They will learn and they will grow."

And in a twist of fate, one of the winners who will represent Singapore in Cannes in June this year, is DDB's very own junior copywriter Tay Aik Tiao, who along with freelance writer He Ruiming will represent Singapore in the TV category.

BBDO Singapore copywriter Michelle Fun and JWT’s Shi Min Wong who will compete in the print category.

From left to right: Christina Chua and Irene Lim of MediaCorp, Tay Guan Hin of JWT, He Ruiming of Tusitala, Tay Aik Tiao of DDB, Wong Shi Min of JWT, Michelle Fun of BBDO and radio personality Yazminne Cheng

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To be eligible for the Young Lions competition, entrants must be 28 years old or younger, or 30 years old or younger for the Young Marketers competition.

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