Cannes 2026 Unveils Stars Lineup with Global Auteurs and Rising Talent

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has officially announced its highly anticipated Official Selection, promising a vibrant mix of world-renowned directors and emerging voices. Festival President Iris Knobloch and General Delegate Thierry Frémaux revealed the lineup, with the event set to take place from May 12 to 23, 2026, along the iconic Croisette.

Opening Film

The festival will open with La Vénus Électrique by French director Pierre Salvadori, screening out of competition.

 

Competition Highlights

This year’s Competition section brings together some of the most celebrated filmmakers in global cinema:

Pedro Almodóvar returns with Amarga Navidad

Asghar Farhadi presents Parallel Tales

Hirokazu Kore-eda competes with Sheep in the Box

Ryusuke Hamaguchi brings All of Sudden

Cristian Mungiu enters with Fjord

Paweł Pawlikowski showcases Fatherland

Andrey Zvyagintsev premieres Minotaur

The competition also emphasizes fresh perspectives, highlighting emerging filmmakers and diverse storytelling from Europe and Asia.

Un Certain Regard

The Un Certain Regard section—known for championing innovation—will open with Elephants in the Fog by Abinash Bikram Shah. Several debut features are included, reinforcing Cannes’ commitment to discovering new talent.

Out of Competition & Special Screenings

The Out of Competition lineup features major names such as:

Andy Garcia with Diamond

Nicolas Winding Refn with Her Private Hell

Special Screenings will showcase high-profile works, including:

Avedon by Ron Howard

John Lennon: The Last Interview by Steven Soderbergh

Midnight & Cannes Première

The Midnight Screenings section promises bold, genre-driven cinema from directors like Quentin Dupieux and Yeon Sang-ho.

Meanwhile, the Cannes Première section includes a notable directorial effort by John Travolta with Propeller One-Way Night Coach, alongside films from established European and Japanese creators.

With a rich blend of acclaimed auteurs, debut filmmakers, and star-driven projects, Cannes 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and exciting editions in recent memory—once again cementing its status as the world’s premier stage for cinematic excellence.