Cannes Festival 2026: the films and stars the Croisette is already waiting for

Even before the official selection announcement, Cannes is already the talk of the town.
With highly anticipated projects, loyal directors and dizzying castings, the 2026 edition is taking shape with precision.

From May 12 to 23, 2026, the Cannes Film Festival will be back to its distinctive rhythm: tense morning screenings, international stars, meticulous stair climbing, electric nights overlooking the sea. But upstream, in cinema circles, there’s another buzz going on: films in post-production, selection rumors and eagerly-awaited returns. Beyond the films, Cannes continues to set the pace for the entire world.
Fashion, beauty, political speeches, new faces – it’s all happening simultaneously. And already, in hotel suites and editing rooms alike, one question is circulating:
who will really make their mark in 2026?

Park Chan-wook President of the 79th Cannes Film Festival

On February 26, 2026, the Cannes Film Festival announced the appointment of South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook as President of the Competition Jury. He succeeds Juliette Binoche, adding his demanding vision to the continuity of the festival’s great figures.
A regular on the Croisette, Park Chan-wook is intimately familiar with the spirit of Cannes. A member of the jury in 2017 under the presidency of Pedro Almodóvar, he has also won several awards there: Grand Prix in 2004 for Old Boy, Prix du Jury in 2009 for Thirst, ceci est mon sang, then Prix de la mise en scène in 2022 for Decision to Leave.
With this nomination, he becomes the third Asian personality to occupy this role, after Tetsurō Furukaki in 1962 and Wong Kar-wai in 2006, a rare filiation that underlines Cannes’ constant attention to world cinema.

Tributes and great cinema figures

This year’s edition pays tribute to some of the seventh art’s leading personalities. New Zealand director Peter Jackson was awarded a Palme d’honneur, in recognition of a career marked by cult films. In the same vein, Barbra Streisand also received this distinction, consecrating a rare trajectory between music and cinema.

Director Claire Denis also received the Carrosse d’or, an emblematic award that celebrates the freedom and singularity of her work. These distinctions mark an edition attentive to the paths that have shaped contemporary cinema.

Selections, posters and highlights

The festival’s various sections are gradually unveiling their visual identities and programming. The Quinzaine des cinéastes chose an image by director Alain Guiraudie for its poster, while the Semaine de la critique spotlighted Manon Clavel in Kika, a film by Alexe Poukine.

The official Cannes Film Festival poster pays homage to Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, a nod to a work that continues to leave its mark on the collective imagination.

In terms of programming, the opening film, La Vénus électrique by Pierre Salvadori, sets the tone for an edition that blends elegance with a contemporary outlook. The official selection also includes some highly anticipated titles, including James Gray’s Paper Tiger in competition. In the Cannes Première section, one project is attracting particular attention: Night Flight to Los Angeles, the first feature film directed by John Travolta.

Juries, ceremonies and exceptional events

The festival also revolves around those who will carry its voice. Actress Eye Haïdara has been chosen as Mistress of Ceremonies, aptly embodying the elegance and energy of this year’s event.

The juries reflect a diversity of viewpoints. The Un Certain Regard jury is chaired by Leïla Bekhti, while the Critics’ Week jury is chaired by Payal Kapadia. Carla Simón is in charge of the Cinéfondation and short film juries.

Last but not least, Cannes wouldn’t be Cannes without its moments of transmission. Masterclasses will bring together major figures such as Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and Peter Jackson, offering audiences rare exchanges worthy of the event.

📍 Practical information
Palais des Festivals de Cannes
Festival de Cannes 2026
Dates: May 12 to 23, 2026
Access: professional accreditations and invitations