[reaction: see text] The five- to seven-membered alpha-alkylidene lactams were prepared in 45-99% yield by the palladium-catalyzed cyanoamidation of alkynyl cyanoformamides. The reaction proceeded exclusively in a 5-exo mode, giving the corresponding (Z)-alkenes as major products. The reaction was also applied to 1,1-disubstituted alkenes to afford oxindoles bearing a quaternary carbon center.