Cannes Film Festival 2026: complete guide to films in competition, international stars and major events on the Croisette

The Cannes Film Festival 2026 returns from May 12 to May 23, 2026, once again transforming the Croisette into the global capital of international cinema. With an official selection featuring award-winning filmmakers, world-famous actors and highly anticipated productions, the 79th edition is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular and widely discussed in recent years.

The official program, presented by Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Frémaux, confirms the festival’s commitment to artistic freedom and auteur cinema.

Park Chan-wook to chair the Cannes 2026 jury

The international jury will be chaired by Park Chan-wook, one of the leading voices of contemporary Korean cinema and winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2004 for Oldboy.

The director of Decision to Leave and The Handmaiden further strengthens the strong connection between Cannes and Asian cinema.

The international jury will also include Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga and Paul Laverty.

Films in competition at Cannes 2026

The heart of the festival remains the official competition, which this year features an exceptional lineup of internationally acclaimed directors.

Among the most anticipated films are:

• “Parallel Tales” by Asghar Farhadi
• “Amarga Navidad” by Pedro Almodóvar
• “Paper Tiger” by James Gray
• “Sheep in the Box” by Hirokazu Kore’eda

• “All of a Sudden” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
• “Fjord” by Cristian Mungiu
• “Hope” by Na Hong-jin
• “1949” by Paweł Pawlikowski

Special attention is also focused on “La bola negra” by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi and “Coward” by Lukas Dhont.

International stars expected on the Croisette

The 2026 edition of Cannes will feature an extraordinary lineup of international celebrities.

Among the most anticipated guests are Monica Bellucci, Cara Delevingne, Kristen Stewart and John Travolta, who will present “Propeller One-Way Night Coach” alongside his daughter Ella Bleu Travolta.

Also expected on the red carpet are Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Bill Murray, Brendan Fraser and Rami Malek.

Cannes 2026 pays tribute to Thelma & Louise

The official poster for the 79th edition honors Thelma & Louise, 35 years after its premiere on the Croisette.

The black-and-white image celebrates the film’s protagonists as universal symbols of female emancipation, freedom and rebellion against social and cinematic stereotypes.

The tribute to Ridley Scott highlights Cannes’ ongoing commitment to celebrating iconic works of contemporary cinema.

Honorary Palme d’Or awarded to Barbra Streisand and Peter Jackson

Among the festival’s most prestigious moments will be the presentation of Honorary Palme d’Or awards to Barbra Streisand and Peter Jackson.

Streisand will be honored for her extraordinary career spanning cinema, music and directing, while Jackson will be recognized for revolutionizing fantasy filmmaking through The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and the rest of the trilogy.

No Italian films in competition at Cannes 2026

One of the most debated aspects of the 2026 edition is the complete absence of Italian films from both the Official Competition and the Un Certain Regard section.

A significant absence for Italian cinema, historically one of Cannes’ major protagonists, although Italy will still be represented through actors appearing in international productions and filmmaker Laura Samani, who joins the Un Certain Regard jury.

Special events and celebrations on the Croisette

Beyond film screenings, Cannes 2026 will host exclusive galas, retrospectives and special celebrations dedicated to international cinema.

Among the most anticipated events are celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Fast & Furious saga, along with appearances by Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, Leonardo DiCaprio and Vin Diesel.

For eleven days, the Croisette will once again become the center of world cinema, reaffirming Cannes as the most prestigious international film showcase.