The 2026 Cannes Film Festival opens this Tuesday, May 12, for twelve days of screenings, red carpet moments and events on the Croisette. A jury presided over by Park Chan-wook, official selection, tributes, international stars and free entertainment mark this 79th edition.
The Croisette returns to its buzz this Tuesday with the opening of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Until May 23, the city will experience the rhythm of screenings, ceremonies and arrivals of personalities from around the world. Before the start of this 2026 edition, the surroundings of the Palais des Festivals have filled with festival-goers, film industry professionals and curious onlookers coming to witness the first red carpet moments.
The Cannes Film Festival remains one of the most-followed events in international cinema. This year again, the festival far exceeds the scope of the Palais des Festivals. For twelve days the entire city transforms into a setting dedicated to the seventh art, with free screenings, exhibitions, meetings and entertainment organized in several neighborhoods.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival will take place this Tuesday, May 12, starting at 7 p.m. at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, in the presence of the jury, film teams and the first personalities expected on the red carpet. Eye Haïdara will host this evening broadcast on France 2, marking the official launch of the 79th edition. South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, jury president this year, will also walk the red carpet with other jury members before the screening of the opening film, Electric Venus, directed by Pierre Salvadori. Presented out of competition, the feature film will be revealed in world premiere before festival-goers and film professionals gathered at the Palais des Festivals.
Park Chan-wook heads the jury of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the jury of this 79th edition. Already awarded at Cannes for Oldboy and Decision to Leave, the filmmaker will decide among 22 films in competition for the Palme d’Or.
Alongside Park Chan-wook, the jury brings together Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga, Laura Wandel, Paul Laverty and Isaach de Bankolé.
In other sections, Tahar Rahim will preside over the “Un Certain Regard” jury, while Monia Chokri will lead the Camera d’Or.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be hosted by Eye Haïdara. The actress succeeds several figures from French cinema who have held this role in recent years.
An official competition marked by major returns
The official competition brings together several directors who have already been to Cannes. Pedro Almodóvar will present Bitter Christmas. Asghar Farhadi returns with Parallel Stories. James Gray will unveil Paper Tiger.
Japan will be represented by Hirokazu Kore-eda with Sheep in the Box, while Andrey Zvyagintsev will present Minotaur. Rodrigo Sorogoyen will also be in competition with The Beloved Being.
The French selection includes several anticipated films. Arthur Harari will present The Unknown Woman. Jeanne Herry will defend Garance. Léa Mysius will also be present with Night Stories.
Out of competition, the program features Karma by Guillaume Canet and The Battle of Gaulle: The Iron Age by Antonin Baudry. The Cannes Première section will also welcome John Travolta for the presentation of Night Flight to Los Angeles.
Cannes wants to involve residents in the festival
As every year, the municipality wants to make the Festival an event open to residents. The Cannes Residents and Festival-Goers Hub, located at the Gare Maritime on Esplanade Pantiero, centralizes practical information about entertainment organized during the two weeks.
The town hall also continues to distribute invitations allowing residents to attend certain screenings from the official selection, red carpet moments or the world premiere of the Palme d’Or.
In several neighborhoods, events are multiplying. Cannes Cinephiles, Cannes Screens for Juniors and Seniors, Between Two Cannes, the Filmmakers’ Fortnight and Beach Cinema will offer screenings accessible to the public.
In La Bocca, CinéMo makes its return from May 12 to 16 on the parking lot of the Ranguin media library. This free mobile cinema will offer screenings, workshops and discussions around cinema.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival also takes over public spaces with the return of Cannes Paints the Wall. The exhibition “Spotlight on the 7th Art” settles in the streets until August 30. Organized with Paris Match and with the support of Peugeot, the exhibition explores the place of the automobile in the cinema world.
Cours Félix Faure also hosts an exhibition dedicated to 20 years of Madame Figaro‘s presence at the Cannes Film Festival. Twenty visuals related to cinema and artistic creation will be presented until May 23.
Tributes to Brigitte Bardot and Alain Delon
This 2026 edition will also be marked by several tributes. On May 18, Cannes will inaugurate Brigitte Bardot Beach at the Macé site before the screening of Viva Maria! as part of Beach Cinema.
On May 21, the Georges Méliès campus will unveil the Alain Delon esplanade, a new place dedicated to the memory of cinema.
Two honorary Palmes d’Or will also be awarded during this fortnight. Peter Jackson will receive an award for his entire career. Barbra Streisand will also be honored at the May 23 ceremony.
A highly anticipated red carpet
As every year, the Cannes Film Festival should attract many international personalities. Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller will notably accompany Paper Tiger.
Catherine Deneuve is expected to defend two films, as is Léa Seydoux. Isabelle Huppert, Virginie Efira, Pierre Niney and Vincent Cassel are also among the announced personalities.
The Croisette should also welcome Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Kristen Stewart, Woody Harrelson, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton, who will give masterclasses during the Festival.
Gala evenings will also be part of the program with the amfAR gala organized at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and several private events on Cannes beaches.
The awards of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival will be unveiled on Saturday, May 23, at the end of twelve days during which Cannes will once again become the center of world cinema.
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