Leïla Bekhti to Lead Un Certain Regard Jury at 79th Cannes Film Festival

Cannes, France – April 17, 2026 – The 79th Festival de Cannes has announced that acclaimed French actress Leïla Bekhti will preside over the Un Certain Regard Jury. Bekhti, known for her powerful performances and diverse filmography, will lead a distinguished panel of international film professionals tasked with celebrating young, auteur-driven cinema and discovering new talent.

The jury comprises a diverse group of cinematic voices: Senegalese producer Angèle Diabang, Lebanese composer Khaled Mouzanar, Italian director Laura Samani, and French director Thomas Cailley. Together, they will select the winners of this prestigious section, which last year saw Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes take home the Un Certain Regard Prize for his debut film, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo.

In a statement, Leïla Bekhti expressed her enthusiasm for the role:

“For my first time as Jury President, I will find myself in the unique position of watching, listening, sharing, and celebrating. Working in cinema has taught me that movies are places of encounter with others, with oneself, with the world. Discovering them alongside a jury, living this timeless experience, is both a responsibility and a joy. I look forward to the exchanged perspectives, the dialogues, and the doubts as well, which make up the richness of this living art. And, ultimately, I will be there in the most precious seat of all: that of the audience.”

Meet the Jury Members:

Leïla Bekhti (President, France): An actress of rare intensity, Bekhti rose to prominence in Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet (2009). She won the César Award for Most Promising Actress in 2011 for All That Glitters and has since built a career spanning comedy, drama, and thrillers, appearing in films such as The Source (2011), Sink or Swim (2018), and The Restless (2021). Her upcoming projects include Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Changer l’eau des fleurs.

Angèle Diabang (Producer & Director, Senegal): A leading figure in Africa’s cultural and audiovisual sector, Diabang founded her production company Karoninka in 2006. Her work often focuses on social issues, women’s journeys, and human rights. Her documentary Congo, a Doctor who Saves Women highlighted the work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, and her short film Un air de kora won the Bronze Foal at FESPACO 2019. In 2025, she directed a highly successful adaptation of Mariama Bâ’s novel So Long a Letter.

Laura Samani (Director & Screenwriter, Italy): Samani gained acclaim for her debut feature film Small Body, selected for Cannes 2021 Semaine de la Critique and winner of the David di Donatello for Best Directorial Debut. Her work explores female characters asserting their identity and challenging social norms. Her latest film, A Year of School, was in competition at the Venice Film Festival in 2025.

Thomas Cailley (Director & Screenwriter, France): A graduate of La Fémis, Cailley’s breakthrough came with Love at First Fight, which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2014 Festival de Cannes and a César Award for Best First Feature. His film The Animal Kingdom opened the Un Certain Regard section in 2023, earning critical acclaim and five César Awards in 2024.

Khaled Mouzanar (Composer, Lebanon): A prominent figure in the Lebanese art scene, Mouzanar is renowned for his film scores, particularly his collaborations with Nadine Labaki, including Caramel (2007) and the Oscar-nominated Capharnaüm (2018), which he co-wrote, produced, and scored. His recent work includes 18:08 – When Gravity Was No More, an immersive installation tribute to the Port of Beirut.

The Un Certain Regard section continues to be a vital platform for showcasing innovative and emerging cinematic voices from around the globe.

By Victoria Mazurova